Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there! I hope everyone had a wonderful day, and as my mother told me to do, indulge just a little. Speaking of indulging…in going with the theme of over the top that I started last weekend, I decided to continue that trend just a bit…particularly in honor of mother’s day.
I don’t make bread very often anymore – it was something I was fascinated in when I lived in Denver – mostly because of the high altitude. Bread would rise much faster, and it was just exciting to watch. For the past 18 years, I can count how many times I have attempted a yeast dough on one hand – just because I don’t want to spend a day waiting for it to rise. A couple of years ago, I noticed that my oven had a proof setting – and all of a sudden I realized that I had my own little proofing oven right in my house. But even that added incentive was not enough.
The other month in Cooking Light they had a section on cooking and baking like the professionals. Basically they tried to tell you that you didn’t have to be an expert to make different things. I know better than that, and didn’t fall for it for a minute. But here I was cutting out this delicious cream cheese Danish braid and sticking it in my recipe pile. Note to self – if you don’t want to make something, do not put it in that pile. Of course placing anything in that pile means that it is visible for my daughters to see – and when my older one saw that it was an option, that’s all she talked about.
So – I attempted the Danish braid. I was not expecting much, but that dough was heavenly. Figuring out exactly how to make the braid just by reading the instructions was a little tricky – but it turned out beautifully. I was a hero. My daughter was completely amazed. The filling was a little sweet for us – but the bread was out of this world. Just amazing, and I can’t wait to try the dough on cinnamon buns.
Here’s to all you heroes out there – but especially the moms today – even the little things you do go a long way…it is your day to celebrate.
Ingredients
Sponge:
- 6 tablespoons very warm 1% low-fat milk (120° to 130°)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 package quick-rise yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
Dough:
- 7.9 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour, divided (about 1 3/4 cups)
- 2.25 ounces whole-wheat pastry flour (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup light sour cream
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- Cooking spray
Filling:
- 4 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
- 1/3 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- Dash of salt
Remaining ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons 1% low-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
Preparation
To prepare sponge, combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; let stand 15 minutes.
To prepare dough, weigh or lightly spoon 6.75 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour and pastry flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 1/4 cup sugar, sour cream, butter, salt, vanilla, 1 egg, and sponge in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 1 minute or until well combined. Add flours; beat at low speed 3 minutes or until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 4 minutes), adding remaining 1.15 ounces all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour and 15 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indention remains, dough has risen enough.)
To prepare filling, combine cream cheese and the next 4 ingredients (through dash of salt) in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth.
Punch dough down; roll dough into a 12 x 15-inch rectangle on lightly floured parchment paper. Spread cream cheese mixture down center of dough, leaving about a 5-inch border on each side and a 1-inch border at top and bottom of rectangle. Make 5-inch cuts about 1 inch apart on both sides of dough to meet filling using a sharp knife or kitchen shears. Remove 4 outer corner strips of dough from rectangle; discard. Fold top and bottom 1-inch portions of dough over filling. Fold strips over filling, alternating strips diagonally over filling. Press ends to seal. Transfer braid and parchment paper to a baking sheet. Cover and let rise 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°. Combine 1 teaspoon water and 1 egg; stir with a whisk. Brush braid with egg mixture. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
Combine powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons milk in a bowl, stirring until smooth. Drizzle glaze over braid; sprinkle with nuts.
For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here: Cream Cheese Danish Braid
First Look, Then Cook 
This looks perfect – love Danishes.
it looks delish!
It’s beautiful!! You are a hero :) I’ll let you know if I try it too!
Happy Mother’s Day Dawn! I hope you had a great day. This bread sounds fabulous. I should really make more yeast bread, and next time I do, I’ll try this one. The kids would love it.