1/2 recipe Danish Dough
Egg wash (one egg, lightly beaten with 2 teaspoons milk)
Remonce (cinnamon and plain)

Fillings:

Toppings:

TO MAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a rectangle measuring a little larger than 20 x 10 inches when relaxed. Brush off any excess flour. Square off the edges with a pizza cutter. 

3. Cut the rectangle into 10 (5 inch) squares. Spread each with remonce and/or the filling. Form the pastries. 

4. Place on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper. Proof, in a warm draft free place, covered with a dish towel, until they are a little puffy and a finger pressed lightly into the dough leaves a slight indentation. Brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar or topping. Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a rack. While still warm, brush lightly with warm apricot glaze or drizzle with icing.

FORM PASTRIES:

Pinwheels: Spread with remonce. Sprinkle on some extra cinnamon sugar. Brush the of the square with egg wash. Cut a slit from each corner almost into the center, stopping just short of the center. Fold every other tip into the center, overlapping them, and press firmly. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Proof, covered, about 1/2 hour. Press the center down with your finger where the tips overlap and fill with 1/2 rounded teaspoon jam or filling. Eggwash, sprinkle with coarse sugar, and bake about 20 minutes, or until nicely colored.

Envelopes: Spread square with remonce. Sprinkle with finely chopped chocolate mixed with sugar. Turn the square so that a point is at the top. Put and elongated mound of about 2 tablespoons of cheese filling from top to bottom. Egg wash the side corners. Fold one corner over the filling and press firmly. Fold the other end over the top and press very firmly to seal. Place on lined baking sheet and proof, covered, about 1/2 hour. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar and chopped chocolate. Bake about 20 minutes, or until nicely browned. (Or spread with lemon curd and then cheese filling and garnish before baking with toasted sliced almonds.)

Cheese pockets: Spread the square with remonce. Place a rounded tablespoon of cheese filling in the middle of the square. Brush the corners with egg wash. Fold two opposite sides up and press firmly, as in the envelopes above. Bring the bottom corner up and press firmly over the fold. Lastly, bring the top corner up and across the fold and pinch it to seal. Egg wash and sprinkle the top with streusel. Bake about 25 minutes, until nicely browned.

Turnovers: Spread with remonce. Place a big dollop of chunky homemade applesauce or pear sauce on one side of the square. Egg wash the edges and fold over into a triangle. Press around the edge with a fork to seal. Proof, etc. Before baking, egg wash and sprinkle with coarse or pearl sugar.

FILLINGS:

STREUSEL:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
About 2 tablespoons melted butter

Whisk together the flour and sugar. Drizzle in the melted butter as you mix with your fingertips or a rubber spatula.

Yield: 3/4 cups

CHEESE FILLING:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 yolk, slightly beaten

Blend the sugar with the softened cream cheese until thoroughly combined. Don't overbeat or aerate. Mix in the yolk. Chill until firm.

CINNAMON SUGAR:
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Mix to combine. You can use any spice or combination of spices. Yield: 1 cup

APRICOT GLAZE:
1/4 cup apricot jam
1 teaspoon water (approximately)

Place the apricot jam and water in a small saucepot and warm over medium high heat until it dissolves. Just before boiling, remove from heat. Dilute with a little more water if necessary until it is thin enough to brush evenly. Apply immediately with a soft, flat pastry brush.

SUGAR ICING:
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
About 1 tablespoon milk

Whisk a very small amount of milk into the sugar until all the lumps are gone. Continue to add milk, a few drops at a time, until it ribbons off the whisk. Drizzle it over the warm pastry using your fingertips, a fork, or the whisk.

Yield: 1/2 cup

REMONCE:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Cream the butter, sugar (and cinnamon, if added). Keep refrigerated. Let soften at room temperature to spreadable consistency before using.

Yield: about 1/2 cup

POPPYSEED FILLING:

Add poppy seeds to milk and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and combine poppy seeds with remaining ingredients.

RASPBERRY FILLING:

Combine all ingredients and cook, stirring until slightly thickened. Cool.

APRICOT FILLING:

Combine all ingredients and mix well.