Poppy Seed Danish Recipe

Master this homemade Poppy Seed Danish recipe with its signature buttery, flaky layers and sweet poppy filling. Learn how to create bakery-quality Danish pastry at home with our best step-by-step technique for perfect lamination. An easy weekend baking project that yields impressive results!

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

2 hours 30 mins

Cook Time:

20 mins

Serves:

12 pastries

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the Danish dough:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">500g strong bread flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">10g salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">7g active dry yeast</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">240ml milk, lukewarm</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 large egg, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">250g cold unsalted butter, for laminating</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the poppy seed filling:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g poppy seeds</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g honey</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30g butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Zest of 1 lemon</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg yolk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the egg wash and glaze:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g powdered sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tablespoons lemon juice</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer with dough hook</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Rolling pin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking sheets</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Food processor or spice grinder (for poppy seeds)</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Start by making the dough. In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, mix the lukewarm milk (around 37°C) with the yeast and let it stand for 5 minutes until foamy. This activation step ensures your dough will rise properly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add the milk mixture, egg, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix with the dough hook on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and knead for 5-7 minutes until you have a smooth, elastic dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be soft but not sticky.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Shape the dough into a rectangle about 2cm thick, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This initial chilling relaxes the gluten and makes the dough easier to roll while keeping it cold for lamination.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Meanwhile, prepare your butter block for lamination. Place the cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper and beat it with a rolling pin until malleable but still cold. Shape it into a rectangle about 15x20cm. The butter should be cool but pliable - if it's too cold it will break through the dough, too warm and it will be absorbed.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a rectangle approximately 30x20cm. Place the butter block on one half of the dough, leaving a 1cm border. Fold the other half of dough over the butter and seal the edges by pinching them together, encasing the butter completely.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Roll the dough into a rectangle about 45x20cm, keeping the edges straight. Fold the dough like a letter: fold the top third down and the bottom third up. This completes your first "turn." Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. The refrigeration periods are crucial for keeping the butter cold, which creates those signature flaky layers.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each turn. After the third turn, refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight. This extended rest solidifies the butter and relaxes the gluten, making the final roll-out easier and the texture of your Danish flakier.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>While the dough is chilling, prepare the poppy seed filling. First, grind the poppy seeds in a food processor or spice grinder until they're broken down but not completely fine - this releases their flavor and allows them to absorb moisture better.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>In a saucepan, combine the ground poppy seeds, milk, sugar, honey, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to a paste-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest, vanilla extract, and egg yolk. The egg yolk enriches the filling and helps it set. Let cool completely before using.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>When ready to shape the Danish, remove the dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll it into a rectangle about 40x30cm and 3-4mm thick. For classic Danish shapes, cut the dough into 10x10cm squares.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Place a generous tablespoon of poppy seed filling in the center of each square. To create a simple diamond shape, fold two opposite corners of each square into the center, pressing gently to seal. For pinwheels, make a cut from each corner toward the center (not all the way), then fold every other point into the center. Place the shaped Danish on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving 5cm between them.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Cover the shaped pastries with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes until puffy but not doubled in size. Overproofing can cause the butter to leak out during baking, so watch them closely.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 13</h4>Preheat your oven to 190°C with racks positioned in the upper and lower thirds. Brush the Danish carefully with egg wash, avoiding the filling. The egg wash gives them their signature golden shine.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 14</h4>Bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through, until the Danish are deep golden brown. The dark color indicates properly baked, flaky layers - don't be tempted to remove them too early.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 15</h4>While the Danish are cooling on a wire rack, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth. When the pastries are just warm (not hot), drizzle with the glaze. The warmth helps the glaze spread evenly without making the pastry soggy.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 16</h4>Allow the glaze to set for 5-10 minutes before serving. Poppy Seed Danish are best enjoyed the day they're made, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To refresh them, warm briefly in a 150°C oven for 3-5 minutes.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Poppy Seed Danish Recipe?

The key ingredients include strong bread flour, yeast, milk, eggs, butter for lamination, poppy seeds, sugar, honey, lemon zest, and vanilla. The pastry requires cold butter for creating flaky layers, while the filling combines ground poppy seeds with sweeteners for a rich texture.

How to cook Poppy Seed Danish Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Poppy Seed Danish Recipe by mastering laminated dough techniques. Create a yeast-based dough, fold in cold butter through multiple turns, prepare a sweet poppy seed filling, shape your pastries, and bake until golden brown. The process involves several chilling periods but rewards you with bakery-quality results.

What makes Danish pastry dough different from other pastries?

Danish pastry is a laminated dough, similar to croissants but enriched with eggs and sugar for a sweeter, more tender result. The technique involves folding butter into the dough multiple times to create dozens of alternating layers that puff up during baking for that signature flaky texture.

Why should poppy seeds be ground for the filling?

Grinding poppy seeds releases their oils and flavour compounds while allowing them to better absorb moisture from other ingredients. This creates a more cohesive, flavourful filling with improved texture rather than the gritty consistency that whole seeds would provide.

Can I freeze Danish pastries for later baking?

Yes! You can freeze the shaped, unbaked Danish pastries for up to one month. Freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, allow to rise at room temperature, then bake as directed.

Want to try something else in ...