Golden Danish Twists Recipes

DANISH CRISPIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in 1/4 cup water; let stand for 5 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks, remaining sugar and water. , Combine the flour, milk powder and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add to yeast mixture to make a soft dough. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top; cover and refrigerate overnight., Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rest 10 minutes. Roll into an 18x10-in. rectangle; spread with softened butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over butter. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Pinch edges to seal. Cut into 3/4-in. slices., Preheat oven to 350°. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle some on waxed paper. Place slices, cut side down, on cinnamon-sugar; roll each into a 5-in. circle, turning to coat both sides and adding cinnamon-sugar as needed. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Sprinkle tops with leftover cinnamon-sugar if desired. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

OVERNIGHT DANISH TWISTS

Steps:

• In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in flour, granulated sugar and salt. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Separate eggs; refrigerate whites for brushing pastry. Stir yolks and 1 cup milk into flour mixture until soft dough forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 8 hours for proper rising but no longer than 24 hours.
• Lightly grease 2 large cookie sheets. Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Roll 1 part dough into 9x7-inch rectangle on lightly floured surface. Cut crosswise into nine 1-inch strips. For each twist, pinch ends of strip together to form ring, stretching strip slightly. Twist to form figure 8. Place at least 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining 2 parts dough.
• Beat egg whites; brush over dough. Let rise uncovered at room temperature about 25 minutes or until puffy and loops fill in.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Make an indentation in center of each loop. Fill with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon jam. Brush dough again with egg whites. Bake about 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack (place rack on waxed paper to catch glaze drips).
• In small bowl, mix all Powdered Sugar Glaze ingredients until smooth and thin enough to drizzle; drizzle over warm twists.

DOUGHNUT TWISTS

Steps:

• Place yeast in the bowl of a mixer. Pour milk over yeast; stir to combine. Let stand until foamy, about 2 minutes. Add 2 3/4 cups flour to bowl without stirring. Cover tightly with plastic, and let stand in a warm place until surface is cracking, about 45 minutes.
• Whisk together cup flour, the yolks, brown and granulated sugars, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until dark brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat. Pour browned butter (with browned bits) over yolk mixture; whisk to combine.
• Add yolk-butter mixture to yeast mixture. Beat with a mixer on medium-low speed until just combined. Add remaining 1/2 cup flour. Beat on medium-high speed until combined, about 2 minutes (dough will be sticky). Transfer to an oiled bowl; cover. Let stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. Turn out dough onto a floured surface, and knead for 2 minutes. Return dough to bowl. Let stand until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes more.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently roll out dough into a 10-by-25-inch rectangle. Cut crosswise into twenty 1/2-inch-thick strips. Bring ends of 1 strip together, twist, and pinch ends to seal. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining strips. Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Heat 2 to 3 inches oil in a heavy 5-quart saucepan until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees. Working in batches, fry doughnuts, turning occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes. (Adjust heat as necessary to maintain oil temperature.) Transfer doughnuts to paper-towel-lined plates to drain; let cool slightly. Toss doughnuts in superfine sugar. Serve with chocolate-brandy sauce if desired.