Recipe for Apple Danish Pastry

Ingredients for Apple Danish Pastry:
1 packet active dry yeast
¼ cup water, warm
¾ cup milk, scalded
2/3 cup sugar, divided
1 1/3 cup unsalted butter, divided
2 teaspoons salt
3 eggs, beaten
½ teaspoon lemon extract
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 pound apples, sliced
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Apple Danish Pastry preparation instruction:
1) Sprinkle dry yeast into water in a medium bowl; let sit 5 minutes, then stir to dissolve.

2) Pour hot milk over 1/3 cup sugar, salt, and 1/3 cup butter in a large bowl. Cool to lukewarm; add the yeast mixture. Add eggs and lemon; stir. Add flour gradually and mix until dough forms.

3) Place dough in a lightly greased 9-by-13-by-2-inch pan. Chill 2 hours.

4) Turn chilled dough out onto a floured surface; roll into a 16-by-12-inch rectangle.

5) Spread 1/3 cup butter over 2/3 of the dough’s surface. Fold the unspread portion of the dough over half of the covered portion. Fold the 3rd section over the 2nd.

6) Roll the dough out to its original size; repeat this process twice, using the remaining butter. Return dough to the refrigerator; chill overnight.

7) Divide the chilled dough in half. Roll each half into a 14-by-9-inch rectangle. Cut into 14-by-3/4-inch strips. Twist and form each strip into a spiral roll. Place two apple slices in the center of each. Sprinkle with cinnamon and 1/3 cup sugar. Cover. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume.

8) Bake at 375°F for 12 minutes.

Notes about Apple Danish Pastry:
This authentic pastry recipe takes a bit of work, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to become a self-trained pastry chef! Finished off with powdered sugar and enjoyed with a cup of coffee, this recipe is well worth the effort.