Danish Resistance and Danish Pastry
Updated: Oct 5, 2021
Ages 9+ Total time: 2.5 hours WWII
This recipe is an edible illustration of one of the sweetest, warmest stories ever to come out of WWII. In September 1943, on at the eve of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana), the German forces occupying Denmark scheduled a raid to round up Denmark’s 8000 Jewish inhabitants. Once in custody, these Jews were to be sent to meet the 'final solution' in concentration camps. Word of this cruel plan was intercepted by the Danish resistance. Within 72 hours, activists and civilians had mobilized and carried out a rescue evacuation, safely transporting 7500 people into neighboring, neutral, Sweden. Learning about this brave civil campaign is best done while baking this simple version of yummy Danish pastry.
Danish Pastry
Dough
1 tbsp yeast
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup water
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
3 – 3.25 cups flour
1 salted butter stick (8 tbsp)
Filling
2 cups vanilla pudding
Mini chocolate chips
Glaze
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
Instructions
Make the dough - in a class setting, prepare beforehand (1 batch per 2 students)
In a mixer bowl, place yeast, water and 1 Tbsp sugar. Stir lightly and wait 5 min.
Add the egg, 1/3 cup sugar and flour. Knead to get sticky dough.
Add butter and knead 2-3 minutes. Let dough rise for 1 hour.
Prepare the pastry
Spread the dough into two flat rectangular shapes, about ½” thick.
Spread vanilla pudding on the dough. and sprinkle with chocolate chips
Roll dough into a log and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Slice the chilled roll into disks 3/4" thick and lay in pan 1” apart.
Heat oven to 350F, while pastry rises once more, for 15 minutes
Bake for 15 minutes in 350F
In a pot, heat 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup of water until compined and slightly thick, to make glazing syrup.
Brush baked pastries with syrup while they are warm.
