Danish Apricot Bars Recipes

DANISH DOUGH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk; stir until dissolved. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine 1 pound, 4 ounces flour, sugar, salt, cardamom, and 4 tablespoons butter; beat on low speed until butter is incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse meal, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the yeast-milk mixture; mix until dough just comes together. Add the eggs and yolk; mix until just combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not overmix.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, making sure to include any loose bits left at the bottom of the bowl. Gently knead to form a smooth ball, about 30 seconds. Wrap well with plastic, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Paddle remaining 3 1/2 sticks butter with 2 tablespoons flour. Form flour and butter mixture into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle on a sheet of plastic wrap. Refrigerate 15 minutes or up to 1 day. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to an 18-by-10-inch rectangle, a little over a 1/4 inch thick, keeping the corners as square as possible. Remove any excess flour with a dry pastry brush. Remove butter mixture from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature until it reaches the consistency of the dough. With a short side facing you, place butter mixture over 2/3 of the dough. Fold the unbuttered third over as you would a business letter, followed by the remaining third. This seals in the butter.
• Roll out dough again to an 18-by-10-inch rectangle, then fold dough into thirds as described above; refrigerate for 1 hour. This is the first of three turns. Repeat rolling and folding two more times, refrigerating for at least 1 hour between turns. To help you remember how many turns have been completed, mark the dough after each one: make one mark for the first turn, two for the second, and three for the third.
• Refrigerate dough, tightly wrapped in plastic, for at least 4 hours or overnight. Dough can also be frozen, tightly wrapped in plastic, for up to 2 weeks; before using, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight.

DANISH-APRICOT FILLING

Steps:

• Put apricots, water and sugar into a saucepan.
• Heat and simmer until apricots are soft, plumped and have absorbed most of the liquid.
• (Can be done in a Microwave).
• Puree in food processor, transfer to a bowl and stir in lemon juice and almond extract.
• Scrape filling into a small container and cool to room temperature.
• Seal container and chill.
• Will keep refrigerated for two weeks.

DANISH APRICOT BARS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.In a medium bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until pieces are the size of small peas. Add egg and yeast mixture blend until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough into two equal portions. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.In a medium bowl, combine preserves, pecans, dried apricots, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar set aside.Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough into a 13 x 9-inch rectangle. Carefully fit into pan. Evenly spread apricot filling over dough to within 1/2 inch of all edges. Roll remaining dough into a 13 x 9-inch rectangle. Place on top of fruit mixture lightly press edges to seal.Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Cool pan on a wire rack.Store tightly covered in a cool place up to 3 days. Cut into bars. Just before serving, dust with powdered sugar.