Jan 1, 2017

Orangekuchen - Danish Pastry at Home

"Orange cake" in Danish!  For decades the Danes have rightfully declared themselves masters of light, flaky pastries.  We love this departure from the usual breakfast treats.  Also perfect for a tea, cut in much  smaller pieces.  The fresh citrus flavor is delightful.  The  thin orange-cheese layer needs to 'ripen' overnight, so a little planning is necessary. Otherwise it's a cinch to make.

First, make the pastry. It needs to chill a bit before being rolled out.   Combine 1 c. flour and  1/3 c. sugar in a food processor or Ninja.  PULSE to  mix it and then, pulsing, add 6 TB. cold butter.  Process just until it's the consistency of coarse crumbs.   Mix 1 egg yolk with 1 TB + 2 tsp icy-cold water with a fork , add to the mixture and blend just  til a dough forms.  Don't over-process.   Chill, wrapped in plastic or foil, for 30 minutes -- or longer  if that's more convenient.  Preheat the oven for at least 15 minutes, to 375.

Roll out the pastry to  fit an 11"  round tart pan or a quarter- sheet pan, rolling  between parchment or wax paper. The crust will be very thin.  My 1970's recipe specified a 13x9 pan but  neither my pastry or my filling ever seemed to be  quite enough.  The pastry needs to be cold, so it doesn't always roll well.  Let it be known that more than once I've taken the rolled pastry -- which on those occasions resembled a wildly  and hopelessly irregular amoeba --  laid it in the  pan, and pieced together a crust by pressing  bits and pieces  to get to  the edges.  You will lose some of that layered  flakiness, but you may  maintain your sanity.  Fair exchange, I feel.    Now place the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes to chill again.   That cold dough hitting a hot oven helps create the magic layers  of the pastry.   Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges just begin to start turning a bit brown.

Make the filling:  using a mixer or food processor ( no need to really clean the one you used for the dough) mix 8 oz. softened cream cheese, 3TB   fresh orange zest,  1/2 c. preferably-fresh orange juice, 3 eggs, 3 TB sugar, 1 tsp vanilla,  1/2 c. finely chopped candied orange peel.    Pour onto the partially-baked crust.   Sprinkle with 1/2 c sliced, blanched almonds. I used slivered almonds once and decided not to do that again.

Bake  for another  15-20 minutes or until the tart is set and any visible crust is golden.  Actual  time will depend on the size  and shape of the pan you decide to  use, so keep an eye on it.  Cool completely on a rack, then cover and refrigerate overnight.  Cut in squares or bars, although it's not really a finger-food.     Store in the fridge.  And don't  fret  when it doesn't "rise" -  it's not supposed to!