Danish Coffee Cake
Country Woman Christmas
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Filled with almond paste, sugar and butter, this pastry will melt in your mouth. It's a must for me to make each holiday.
SERVINGS: 24
CATEGORY: Breads
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 30 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling
Ingredients:
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
- 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- FILLING:
- 1 can (8 ounces) almond paste, cubed
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon water
- GLAZE:
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- Sliced almonds
Directions:
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in water; set aside. Combine flour, salt and remaining sugar in a large bowl; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and cream to yeast mixture. Add to flour mixture; stir to form a stiff dough. Divide in half; cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.
In a mixing bowl, beat almond paste, brown sugar and butter until smooth. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough into a 15-in. x 6-in. rectangle. Spread filling down center third of dough to within 1/2 in of edges. Beat egg and water; brush over edges of dough. Fold sides over filling; seal seam and edges. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. Cut five to six small slits in top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.
For glaze, combine confectioners' sugar, extract and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over coffee cakes. Sprinkle with almonds. Yield: 2 coffee cakes (10-12 serving each).