How to Make Amazing Danish Pastry Cookies in 30 Mins or Less
Welcome to my kitchen, fellow bakers! Today, I have a special treat for you – my secret recipe for Danish Pastry Cookies. These little baked delights will melt in your mouth and leave you wanting more with every bite.
Trust me when I say that these cookies are just what you need if you’re looking for an easy butter cookie recipe that’s guaranteed to impress. The secret, of course, lies in the ratio of butter to flour. But don’t worry – I’ve got it all figured out.
These Danish Butter Cookies are a twist on the famous Danish Christmas cookies that we all know and love. Using simple but high-quality ingredients, we’ll be making our own version that’s perfect for any occasion. So let’s get started!
But before we do, let me tell you why you’ll love this recipe and what makes it stand out from other butter cookie recipes out there. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Listen up, fellow pastry lovers, because I’m about to tell you the secret to melt-in-your-mouth perfection! You simply can’t resist another buttery bite once you’ve tried this famous Danish Butter Cookies recipe. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
What’s not to love about a cookie recipe that combines the richness of shortbread cookies with the flakiness of puff pastry? The ratio of butter to flour is what makes this cookie recipe stand out from the crowd – it’s precisely why these cookies have become so popular! Imagine biting into a buttery little pillow that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It’s like an easy butter cookie recipe that just melts in your mouth.
These Danish Butter Cookies are so simple and quick to make, yet look and taste like they were made by a professional pastry chef. The dough is made with a perfect balance of unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour, then rolled out flat and cut into round shapes. Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans on top for extra crunch; or leave them plain – either way, they’re sure to impress.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the vanilla extract! It adds a subtle depth of flavor that takes these cookies from good to great. You can use pure vanilla extract or scrape out some fresh vanilla bean seeds for an even richer taste.
These cookies are perfect for any occasion – whether it’s a morning snack with your coffee, an afternoon treat with tea, or as part of a dessert spread for a dinner party. They pair beautifully with almond or custard danish and other breakfast pastries.
So go ahead, dust them off with some confectioners’ sugar and serve them up with pride! Don’t wait another minute to try this easy Danish Pastry Cookies Recipe – trust me, it’ll be worth it!
Ingredient List
- 2 cups purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped (optional)
Note: European-style butter is recommended to give the cookies a smoother texture, such as Danish Butter or Kerrygold. If unable to find it, regular unsalted butter will work too.
Tip: Measuring flour accurately is crucial in baking. Use a spoon to add the flour into the measuring cup and level off with a knife.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you’ve gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to start baking these delicious Danish Butter Cookies. In this section, I’ll walk you through each step of the recipe to ensure success in every batch. Are you ready to put on an apron and start baking? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Preheat Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so that it’s ready when your Danish Butter Cookies are prepared for baking.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat two sticks of unsalted butter softened at room temperature with one and a half cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer on medium speed.
Step 3: Add Vanilla & Egg
Once the butter and sugar mixture is creamy, add one tablespoon of pure vanilla extract and one large egg at room temperature. Beat it using the mixer until well combined.
Step 4: Mix Flour & Salt
In another bowl, whisk together two cups of all-purpose flour and a quarter teaspoon of salt.
Step 5: Combine Mixtures
Add the flour mixture gradually into the butter mixture while beating it with the mixer on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
Step 6: Create Dough & Chill
Once it’s all mixed together, use your hands to knead into a smooth dough. Divide it into two equal parts, and form each part into a round shape. Wrap them in plastic wrap or beeswax cloth and chill it for an hour or more until firm.
Step 7: Make Cookies & Bake
After chilling your dough (or if you left it in the refrigerator overnight), roll out each disk until it’s half an inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out uniformed shapes or make little balls with your hands for simple round cookies. If you like more texture or flavor, add chopped pecans or sprinkle some powdered sugar on top before baking in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes.
There you have it! Delicious fresh-baked Danish Butter Cookies, perfect for any occasion!
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to baking, it’s always exciting to experiment with different substitutions and variations of a recipe. With this Danish Pastry Cookies recipe, there are a few simple swaps you can make to add some variety and personalization to your baking experience.
First off, if you have salted butter instead of unsalted butter on hand, no need to fret! Just be sure to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe accordingly. Alternatively, if you prefer a more savoury cookie, you can substitute half of the butter with almond butter or any other nut butter.
For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, this recipe is quite adaptable. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend, such as rice flour or oat flour. Since both types of flour have different textures than wheat flour, they may require additional liquid, so be sure to adjust the consistency of the dough accordingly.
If you want a more nutty crunch instead of pecans, try using almond flakes instead. You can also experiment with other flavourings like adding cinnamon powder for a warm and cozy taste. And if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, add some chocolate chips into the batter for an incredible twist.
Finally, if you’re making this recipe for a special occasion such as Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, using vanilla bean or other festive flavors in place of vanilla extract can lend you an elevated taste that will make your guests go wow.
In summary, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and tailor this Danish Pastry Cookies recipe to your own taste buds and preferences – the creativity is yours!
Serving and Pairing
These Danish Pastry Cookies are a quintessential treat for any occasion. They are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies with a deliciously nutty crunch from the pecans. Sprinkled with powdered sugar on top, they look absolutely tantalizing, and they taste just as good.
Serving these cookies alongside hot coffee, tea or milk is the ultimate indulgence. The sweetness of the cookies and the warmth of the morning beverage is a match made in heaven. I also love serving them on a platter at parties because their unique shape and texture always stand out among other sweets.
One of my favourite ways to take these cookies to the next level is pairing them with almond custard. Simply put: it’s perfection. The creamy and nutty flavour of the custard complements the nuttiness of the pecans in the cookie brilliantly.
For those looking for something stronger, pairing them with a cup of black coffee or espresso makes for an exquisite adult indulgence. The subtle sweetness of the cookie battles the bitterness of the coffee for an unexpected and delightful flavour combo.
These cookies are versatile enough to be paired with an array of things, including fruit and cheese plates, yoghurt or ice cream. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, sandwich two cookies together with some chocolate ganache to create an epic cookie sandwich!
However you choose to serve these delectable treats, I guarantee your guests will be more than delighted – they’ll be in heaven!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Picture this: a batch of freshly baked Danish butter cookies, with their golden-brown and melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s hard to deny the allure of these delicious treats but what if you can’t finish them all in one go? Fear not, for I have some tips on how to make-ahead, store, and reheat these heavenly cookies.
If you want to make these Danish butter cookies ahead of time, you can prepare the dough and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container. This way, you can easily bake them up fresh whenever you’re ready for a treat.
Once you’ve baked the cookies, storing them properly is key to keep them fresh longer. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. When freezing them, place the cookies in an airtight container with layers of parchment paper between each layer of cookies. This will prevent them from sticking together.
To reheat the cookies, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place your frozen or room temperature cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes until they are warm and slightly crispy on the edges. You can also microwave your room temperature cookie for about 10 seconds to give it a quick heat-up.
These Danish butter cookies are versatile in their longevity – just like Stephen King is versatile when it comes to his craft! With these tips on how to make-ahead, store and reheat them, you’ll be able to enjoy their buttery goodness long after they come out of the oven.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now to make sure your Danish pastry cookies come out perfect, you’ll see that every ingredient and measurement must be accurate. Afterall, the small details count. But with these tips and tricks, you’ll surely hit the ball out of the park:
First things first, when preparing your butter cookies recipe, make sure you use room temperature ingredients. The butter should be soft but not melted. If you use hard cold butter, your dough will turn out tough and chewy.
Another thing to keep in mind is that flour works best when it’s been sifted or whisked beforehand. This helps to prevent lumps and clumps that can alter the texture or flavor of your cookies.
When it comes to baking the cookies, always preheat the oven to ensure even cooking. Also, remember that timing is key. Even if the cookies start looking good before the suggested time on the recipe card, keep them in for at least a minute or two longer to ensure that they’re cooked through.
To add some crunch, add chopped pecans to your Danish butter cookie mix. And use confectioner’s sugar combined with granulated sugar for ideal sweetness levels.
Lastly, to get truly melt-in-your-mouth results, replace some of the all-purpose flour with cornstarch in a 2:1 ratio (2 parts all-purpose flour and 1 part cornstarch) in the recipe for **an easy Danish butter cookie**.
With these tips and tricks up your sleeve, you’ll have no issues baking up famous Danish butter cookies like those at Karen’s Bakery or King Arthur. Whether you’re making breakfast pastries or custard Danishes or cheese Danishes, these tips will help bring out their flavors perfectly!
FAQ
Now that we have covered every aspect of the Danish Pastry Cookies Recipe, it’s time to answer some commonly asked questions. Don’t worry if you’re new to baking, as these FAQ’s will provide clarity and make baking these cookies a breeze!
What is the difference between Danish and shortbread cookies?
When it comes to the composition of the dough, shortbread and Danish butter cookies differ in the ratio of butter to flour used. While shortbread has a higher butter to flour ratio, leading to a richer taste and crumbly texture, Danish butter cookies have a lower ratio of butter to flour.
Are Danish cookies the same as butter cookies?
Butter cookies, also called Danish biscuits, are a type of cookie from Denmark. They are made with simple ingredients of butter, sugar, and flour and are quite similar to shortbread cookies.
What are the most famous Danish butter cookies?
Are you looking for a classic Danish cookie recipe to impress your friends and family? Look no further than Vaniljekranse! These cookies are well-known for their buttery dough combined with a subtle vanilla flavor and the satisfying crunch of ground almonds. They are shaped into cute little circles that are perfect for snacking or gifting. So, let’s get started on making some delicious Vaniljekranse!
What are the ingredients in Danisa butter cookies?
This recipe calls for a variety of essential ingredients, including wheat flour, butter, sugar, tapioca syrup, eggs, desiccated coconut, currants, milk powder, salt, ammonium bicarbonate (used as a leavening agent), vanilla, and natural mixed tocopherol antioxidant.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Danish Pastry Cookies recipe is a must-try for all cookie lovers. With its melt-in-mouth texture and buttery flavor, it is sure to become a household favorite. Whether you are looking for an easy butter cookie recipe or want to impress your guests with the famous Danish butter cookies, this recipe has got you covered.
The best part about this recipe is that it is highly customizable, and you can experiment with various substitutions and variations to make it your own. From almond Danish puff pastry to custard danish and cheese danish, the possibilities are endless.
So don’t wait any longer, gather your ingredients and start baking these delicious danish pastry cookies. And once you have tasted them, be sure to share them with your friends and family, because good food is meant to be shared.
Danish Pastry Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb butter
- 3 cups flour
- 1 3/4 cups pecans, chopped
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 325°.
- Cream together butter and sugar.
- Add flour gradually.
- Add pecans and vanilla.
- Dough will be very dry but will form a ball as your hand warms the butter while forming small crescents or "football" shapes.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- When cool, roll in powdered sugar.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Steven is a chef by heritage, so it’s no wonder why baking is such a big part of who he is. To share his passion for all things sweet, he created cookiesncrepes.com. It’s the perfect platform to indulge in delicious treats, all with a sprinkle of his signature flare.