Apricot Danish Coffee Cake: A Sweet Start to Your Day
Are you searching for the perfect recipe to elevate your brunch game or simply treat yourself to a delightful morning pastry? Look no further! This Apricot Danish Coffee Cake is a symphony of flavors and textures, combining the buttery flakiness of a Danish pastry with the sweet-tartness of apricots and the comforting crumb of a coffee cake. It’s surprisingly easy to make and will undoubtedly impress your family and friends.
This recipe takes inspiration from classic Danish pastries and American coffee cakes, creating a unique and irresistible treat. The slight tang of cream cheese in the dough adds a delightful richness, while the apricot filling provides a burst of fruity flavor that complements the buttery sweetness perfectly. The crumb topping adds a delightful crunch that ties everything together.
Let’s dive into the recipe and create this stunning Apricot Danish Coffee Cake!
## Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious coffee cake:
**For the Dough:**
* 2 ¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 7g (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant or rapid rise yeast
* ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed to 110-115°F (43-46°C)
* ¼ cup (60ml) water, warmed to 110-115°F (43-46°C)
* ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 large egg, lightly beaten
* 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
**For the Apricot Filling:**
* 1 pound (450g) fresh apricots, pitted and thinly sliced (or 1 (15-ounce) can apricot halves in light syrup, drained and sliced)
* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
**For the Crumb Topping:**
* ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
* ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ cup (57g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
**For the Glaze (Optional):**
* 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
* 2-3 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
## Equipment
* Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
* Measuring cups and spoons
* 9-inch springform pan or cake pan
* Parchment paper (optional, for lining the pan)
* Small saucepan (for making apricot jam, if using fresh apricots)
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed instructions to bake your perfect Apricot Danish Coffee Cake:
**Step 1: Prepare the Dough**
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
2. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, combine the warm milk, warm water, melted butter, and beaten egg. Ensure the milk and water are warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly. If using a stand mixer, you can combine the wet ingredients directly into the mixing bowl after the dry ingredients.
3. **Add Wet to Dry:** Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Add the softened cream cheese in small pieces and continue mixing until the dough comes together. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment and mix on low speed for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If mixing by hand, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes.
4. **First Rise:** Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This rise is crucial for developing the flavor and texture of the Danish pastry.
**Step 2: Prepare the Apricot Filling**
*Using Canned Apricots: If you’re using canned apricots, skip to step 3. Ensure they are well-drained.*
1. **Combine Apricots and Sugar (If Using Fresh):** In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced fresh apricots, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract (if using).
2. **Cook the Filling (If Using Fresh):** Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apricots soften and the mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. This step essentially makes a quick apricot jam, intensifying the flavor and preventing the filling from being too watery in the cake.
**Step 3: Make the Crumb Topping**
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be cold to prevent it from melting and creating a greasy topping. You can also pulse the ingredients together in a food processor for a quicker method.
3. **Chill (Optional):** For best results, chill the crumb topping in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes while the dough is rising or before assembling the cake. This will help the butter stay firm and create a more distinct crumb structure during baking.
**Step 4: Assemble the Coffee Cake**
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Prepare the Pan:** Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan or cake pan. Alternatively, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper for easy removal. This will prevent the cake from sticking and make it easier to slice and serve.
3. **Punch Down the Dough:** Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air.
4. **Roll Out the Dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. It doesn’t have to be perfectly round.
5. **Transfer to Pan:** Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Gently press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, creating a slight edge to hold the filling. If the dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking back, let it rest for a few minutes before continuing.
6. **Spread the Filling:** Spread the apricot filling evenly over the dough in the pan. Make sure to distribute the apricots evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.
7. **Sprinkle with Crumb Topping:** Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apricot filling. Don’t be shy – the crumb topping adds a delightful crunch and sweetness to the cake.
**Step 5: Bake the Coffee Cake**
1. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the coffee cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the crumb topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the cake loosely with aluminum foil.
2. **Cool:** Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely. If using a springform pan, release the sides of the pan before transferring it to the wire rack.
**Step 6: Glaze (Optional)**
1. **Prepare the Glaze:** While the coffee cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice until smooth. Add more liquid, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. A thicker glaze will be more opaque, while a thinner glaze will be more translucent.
2. **Drizzle the Glaze:** Once the coffee cake is completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
## Tips and Variations
* **Other Fruits:** Feel free to substitute other fruits for the apricots. Peaches, plums, berries, or even apples would work beautifully in this recipe. Adjust the sugar and lemon juice accordingly to balance the sweetness and tartness of the fruit.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts, to the crumb topping for extra flavor and texture.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spices in the dough or crumb topping. A pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger would add a warm and cozy flavor.
* **Cream Cheese Filling:** Instead of spreading the apricot filling directly on the dough, you can create a cream cheese filling by mixing softened cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Spread this cream cheese mixture over the dough before adding the apricot filling.
* **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the dough and crumb topping ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator overnight. Let the dough come to room temperature before rolling it out. Assemble the cake and bake as directed.
* **Freezing:** The baked coffee cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
* **Using Active Dry Yeast:** If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk and water mixture with a teaspoon of sugar. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy before adding it to the dry ingredients. This step ensures that the yeast is active and will properly leaven the dough.
* **For a richer flavor**, use brown butter in the crumb topping. Simply melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Let it cool slightly before using it in the crumb topping.
* **To prevent the bottom crust from becoming soggy**, you can blind bake the crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling. Simply prick the bottom of the crust with a fork and bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes. This will help it firm up and prevent it from absorbing too much moisture from the filling.
## Serving Suggestions
This Apricot Danish Coffee Cake is delicious served warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Serve it with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of milk. You can also top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving)
* Calories: 350-450
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 8-10g
* Cholesterol: 50-70mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 45-55g
* Sugar: 20-30g
* Protein: 5-7g
*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
## Conclusion
This Apricot Danish Coffee Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The combination of the flaky dough, sweet-tart apricot filling, and crunchy crumb topping is simply irresistible. It’s a perfect recipe for special occasions or any time you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something truly special. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a coffee cake that will become a family favorite! Enjoy!
## More Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this Apricot Danish Coffee Cake recipe, here are some other delicious recipes you might like:
* Blueberry Coffee Cake
* Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
* Apple Crumble Coffee Cake
* Strawberry Danish
* Cherry Pie
Happy baking!