Indulge in the rich cultural heritage of Denmark with our exquisite Danish Kringle. This delectable pastry, beloved across the globe, is a true testament to Denmark's culinary prowess. Crafted with layers of flaky, buttery dough and filled with a luscious blend of almonds, cinnamon, and sweet icing, each bite of our Danish Kringle is a symphony of flavor.

Whether enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee for breakfast, as a delightful dessert after a hearty meal, or simply savored as a sweet treat any time of day, our Danish Kringle promises to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the charming streets of Copenhagen. Share the joy of this beloved Danish delicacy with family and friends, and experience the warmth and hospitality of Denmark right in your own home.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup milk, warmed
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

For the almond filling:

• 1 cup almond paste or marzipan, grated
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds, for topping (optional)

For the icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions:

1- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.

2- Pour in the warm milk and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

3- Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

4- While the dough is rising, prepare the almond filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the grated almond paste, sugar, softened butter, egg white, and almond extract. Mix until well combined and smooth.

5- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

6- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a rectangle about 12x8 inches.

7- Spread half of the almond filling evenly over each rectangle of dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll up each rectangle lengthwise into a log and then gently twist them together to form a braid. Pinch the ends to seal.

8- Transfer the kringle to the prepared baking sheet, shape it into a pretzel-like oval, and brush the surface with the beaten egg wash. Sprinkle chopped almonds on top if desired.

9- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the kringle is golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.

10- Once the kringle has cooled, prepare the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Drizzle the icing over the kringle and let it set before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade Danish Kringle, filled with the irresistible flavors of almond and sweet icing!

Nutritional Values:

Here's a rough estimate of the nutritional values for the ingredients used in the Danish Kringle recipe:

All-Purpose Flour (2 1/4 cups):

• Calories: 810 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 168 grams
• Protein: 24 grams
• Fat: 2 grams

benefits:Provides carbohydrates for energy and dietary fiber for digestion.

Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup + 1/4 cup):

• Calories: 200 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 52 grams

benefits:Adds sweetness and provides quick energy in the form of carbohydrates.

Active Dry Yeast (1 teaspoon):

• Negligible caloric value (mostly protein)

benefits:Essential for leavening, helps the dough rise by fermenting sugars in the flour.

Salt (1/2 teaspoon):

• Negligible caloric value

benefits:Enhances flavor, regulates yeast activity, and strengthens gluten structure in the dough.

Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup + 1/4 cup):

• Calories: 1080 kcal
• Fat: 120 grams

benefits:Adds richness and flavor to the pastry, a source of fat for texture and taste.

Milk (1/2 cup):

• Calories: 75 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Fat: 4 grams

benefits:Adds moisture and richness to the dough, provides protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients.

Egg (1, beaten):

• Calories: 70 kcal
• Protein: 6 grams
• Fat: 5 grams

benefits:Provides structure, moisture, and richness to the dough, a source of protein and essential nutrients.

Almond Paste or Marzipan (1 cup):

• Calories: 840 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 112 grams
• Protein: 16 grams
• Fat: 40 grams

benefits:Adds flavor and texture, rich in healthy fats, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium.

Almond Extract (1 teaspoon):

• Negligible caloric value

benefits:Enhances almond flavor in the filling, adds aromatic notes to the pastry.

Chopped Almonds (1/4 cup):

• Calories: 160 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 6 grams
• Protein: 6 grams
• Fat: 14 grams

benefits:Adds texture and crunch, rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, particularly vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium.

Powdered Sugar (1 cup):

• Calories: 390 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 100 grams

benefits:Used for sweetness and to make the icing, adds texture and sweetness to the finished pastry.

Milk (2-3 tablespoons for icing):

• Calories: 10-15 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 1-2 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Fat: 0-1 gram

benefits:Used to make the icing, adds creaminess and helps achieve desired consistency.

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as brand, specific ingredients used, and method of preparation. Additionally, the nutritional values are calculated for the entire batch of ingredients and may vary based on serving size.