When the holiday season rolls around, nothing quite captures the spirit of a cozy Christmas like the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting through the home. One such delightful treat that hails from Denmark is the Dansk Julekringle, or Danish Christmas Kringle. This traditional Danish pastry is a perfect blend of sweet, spiced filling and buttery, flaky dough that will bring a touch of Scandinavian charm to your festive table. Let’s dive into this heartwarming recipe that will surely become a beloved addition to your holiday baking traditions.
**Dansk Julekringle Danish Christmas Kringle**
**Ingredients:**
– For the dough:
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 package (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
– ½ cup warm milk
– ¼ cup granulated sugar
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 egg
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– For the filling:
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 2 tsp ground cinnamon
– ½ cup chopped almonds
– ½ cup raisins
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– For the glaze:
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 2 tbsp milk
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, almonds, raisins, and softened butter to make the filling.
6. Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 12×16 inches. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a border around the edges.
7. Starting from one long side, roll the dough into a log. Join the ends of the log to form an oval-shaped ring. Use a sharp knife to make cuts along the outer edge of the ring, about 1 inch apart, but do not cut all the way through.
8. Gently twist each cut section to reveal the filling layers. Transfer the kringle to the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the warm kringle.
Voilà! Your Dansk Julekringle Danish Christmas Kringle is ready to be served. This delightful pastry is best enjoyed warm with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa, surrounded by loved ones. The layers of cinnamon-spiced filling and buttery dough will surely make this Danish delicacy a festive favorite in your home.
Redefine your holiday baking repertoire with this memorable Danish Christmas Kringle recipe that captures the essence of Scandinavian coziness and warmth. Enjoy the process of creating this delicious treat, and let the aromas of this delightful pastry fill your home with the magic of the season.
