Festive Danish Christmas Stars
Embrace the holiday spirit with these delightful Festive Danish Christmas Stars, inspired by cherished Danish traditions. It's said that a visitor who leaves without being fed during the Jul season can take away the very essence of Christmas. These charming puff pastry treats are filled with a sweet and luscious prune filling, symbolizing abundance and joy. Perfect for gatherings or as a special gift, these pastries are easy to prepare and sure to impress. Let the warmth and flavors of the season fill your home, and keep the spirit of Christmas alive with every bite.
16
Servings
92.5
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Puff pastry
1 package (Thawed according to package instructions)
Pitted prunes
8 ounces (Pitted and ready to use)
Water
1 1/2 cups (Measure out for cooking)
Sugar
8 tablespoons (For sweetening the prune filling)
Egg
1 (Beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted prunes, water, and sugar.
2
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes, or until the prunes are soft.
3
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Drain off any excess liquid, then puree the prunes coarsely using a food processor or blender.
4
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet or baking stone with parchment paper.
5
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry into a large sheet, then cut it into four 12x12 inch squares.
6
From each 12x12 square, cut out smaller 3-inch squares. Place a level teaspoon of the prune filling in the center of each square.
7
To shape the stars, cut a 1.5-inch slit from each corner of the square towards the center, then fold alternating points towards the center and press them together to form a star shape.
8
Arrange the shaped pastries on the prepared baking sheet and cover them with a clean kitchen towel. Allow them to rest for 15 minutes to rise slightly.
9
Brush the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg for a beautiful golden finish.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until they are flaky and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
10g
Carbs
1g
Protein
0.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Danish Christmas Stars?
Festive Danish Christmas Stars are delightful puff pastry treats filled with a sweet prune filling, inspired by traditional Danish holiday customs.
What is the primary filling used in these pastries?
The filling consists of a sweet and luscious mixture made from pitted prunes, water, and sugar.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 16 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 92.5 calories.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (230°C).
How long should the prune mixture simmer?
The prunes, water, and sugar should simmer gently for about 20 minutes until the prunes are soft.
How do you prepare the prunes for the filling?
After simmering and draining excess liquid, the prunes should be pureed coarsely using a food processor or blender.
What size should the pastry squares be?
The puff pastry should be cut into 3-inch squares for individual treats.
How do you shape the Danish stars?
Cut a 1.5-inch slit from each corner towards the center, then fold alternating points into the center and press them together.
How much filling goes into each star?
Place a level teaspoon of the prune filling in the center of each pastry square.
What is the purpose of the egg in this recipe?
The beaten egg is used as a wash to brush over the pastries for a beautiful golden finish.
How long do the pastries bake?
Bake the stars in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until they are flaky and golden brown.
Do the pastries need to rest before baking?
Yes, after shaping, they should rest for 15 minutes under a clean kitchen towel to rise slightly.
What is the significance of the prune filling?
In Danish tradition, the sweet prune filling symbolizes abundance and joy during the holiday season.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 5g of fat per serving.
What are the carbohydrate and protein counts?
Each serving has 10g of carbohydrates and 1g of protein.
How much fiber do these pastries contain?
There is approximately 0.5g of fiber per serving.
What items are needed to line the baking sheet?
You can use either parchment paper or a baking stone.
How much sugar is required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 tablespoons of sugar to sweeten the prune filling.
What is the initial size of the rolled puff pastry sheets?
The pastry is first cut into four large 12x12 inch squares before being divided into smaller 3-inch squares.
What is the Danish name for the Christmas season mentioned?
The holiday season is referred to as Jul.
Is any preparation needed for the puff pastry?
The puff pastry should be thawed according to its package instructions before use.
Can these pastries be served warm?
Yes, it is recommended to allow them to cool slightly after baking before serving them warm.
What is the texture of the prune filling?
The prune filling should be coarsely pureed for a thick and textured consistency.
What amount of water is needed to cook the prunes?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of water.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 5 main ingredients: puff pastry, pitted prunes, water, sugar, and an egg.
What surface preparation is needed for rolling the dough?
The dough should be rolled out on a lightly floured surface.
What happens if a visitor isn't fed during the Jul season?
According to tradition, a visitor who leaves without being fed can take away the very essence of Christmas.
Are these suitable for gifting?
Yes, they are described as perfect for gatherings or as a special holiday gift.
What category of food does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a Dessert.