Danish Almond Sweet Bread

This recipe comes from my friend, Melissa. Her in-laws make it for Christmas every year. I held on to it for a while because it looked rather intimidating and time consuming... but it actually was pretty easy when I decided to make it! The dough is just like any other dough - it's a snap. The filling #1 is cooked in the microwave - it doesn't get easier than that! And filling #2 is just like a streusel topping - pull out the pastry cutter and viola! Putting it all together is the fun part. When it's all baked, it's very pretty!

Danish Almond Sweet Bread

Submitted by Erin

Dough:

Put in standing mixer:

1 ¼ c scalded milk

1/3 c shortening (melt with milk)

1/3 c sugar

1 t salt

2 eggs

Pulse, then add:
1 T yeast

Pulse again, then wait 3 minutes. Then add:

4 c flour

Knead for about 3-5 minutes.  Cover and let rise in a warm place 35 minutes.

Filling #1:

Scald in microwave and set aside:

1 c milk

Mix together in another bowl:

1/3 c sugar

2 T flour

¼ t salt

Beat in with a fork:
3 egg yolks (save the whites!)

Pour hot milk into mixture and stir well. Heat in microwave 2 minutes, whisking every 30 seconds, until thick like pudding.

Filling #2:

Mix with pastry blender:

½ c butter

½ c flour

1 c sugar

¼ c oats

1 ½ t almond extract

¼ c sliced almonds

Topping:

½ c almonds

¼ c sugar

Punch down dough. Divide in 4. (You may also divide dough into 6 for smaller pastries.) Roll each out to a rectangle 8” across and 12” long. Mentally divide the rectangle into thirds lengthwise and onto the middle third spread filling #1 and then top with filling #2. With a pizza cutter, cut slits down each side, crosswise, all the way to the bottom, ½ - 1” apart. Alternate sides and cross the strips over the middle. Make sure the top and bottom are tucked in so filling does not leak out. Brush the top with beaten egg whites, then sprinkle with sugar and almond topping generously.

Let rise 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes, making sure the bottom and top are both slightly brown. Let cool 10 minutes before cutting.