What are the ingredients of Danish bread?

Danish bread, or "Danish pastry," is not actually bread in the traditional sense. It's a rich, buttery, and flaky pastry made with several key ingredients:

Basic Ingredients:

* Flour: High-protein bread flour is often used for structure.

* Yeast: This is what makes the dough rise and gives it a light, airy texture.

* Butter: Unsalted butter is used generously, both in the dough and as a layering component.

* Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning.

* Eggs: Adds richness and helps bind the dough.

* Milk or Cream: Adds moisture and flavor.

Additional Ingredients:

* Salt: Enhances flavor and helps regulate yeast activity.

* Other Flavors: These can vary widely depending on the specific type of Danish pastry, but common additions include:

* Fruit: Apricots, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, etc.

* Nuts: Almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.

* Chocolate: Chocolate chips, chunks, or fillings.

* Cheese: Cream cheese, feta, etc.

* Spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, etc.

The Process:

The key to Danish pastry's characteristic flaky layers lies in the "laminating" process. This involves repeatedly folding butter into the dough and chilling it between folds. This creates thin layers of butter and dough, which separate during baking, resulting in the flaky texture.

Note: The specific proportions of ingredients and the lamination process can vary widely depending on the baker and the desired outcome.