Strawberry-Apple Danish Star
A flaky, sweet Danish star filled with fresh strawberries and apples, accented with cinnamon and lemon peel—perfect for brunch or dessert gatherings with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. hot roll mix ⓘ
- 1 cup confectioners sugar ⓘ
- 2 medium sweet apples (Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, and diced ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh strawberries ⓘ
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare hot roll mix according to package directions, stirring in 1/2 cup confectioners sugar.
- After mixing, cover the bowl of dough tightly with plastic wrap and let it stand in a warm place for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, peel, core, and dice the sweet apples to make about 2 cups.
- Chop fresh strawberries to make about 1 1/2 cups.
- In a bowl, combine apples, strawberries, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, grated lemon peel, and ground cinnamon.
- Roll out the dough and cut into a star shape or desired pastry form.
- Fill the center of each pastry with the fruit mixture.
- Fold or arrange the dough to form a star or other attractive shape, sealing the edges.
- Brush the top with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
- Bake until golden and puffed, approximately 20-25 minutes, or until pastry is cooked through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flakier pastry, consider using cold butter in the hot roll mix instead of water. If you're short on time, pre-made puff pastry can be a great substitute. Feel free to swap out the apples and strawberries for any favorite fruits such as peaches or blueberries, which also work well in this recipe. Dusting the edges with a bit of flour can help prevent sticking during assembly.
Serving Suggestions
This Strawberry-Apple Danish Star makes a delightful breakfast or brunch treat, perfect for pairing with coffee or tea. Consider serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad or a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert. It also pairs beautifully with Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie, making it a perfect addition to any gathering.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Danish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to restore the pastry's crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Strawberry-Apple Danish Star contains roughly 752 calories, with 13g protein, 159g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), calcium (34% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (33% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 513mg per serving (22% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen fruit, but make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before mixing it with the sugar and spices. This will prevent the filling from becoming too watery, ensuring your Danish holds its shape while baking.
What can I do if I don't have hot roll mix?
If you don't have hot roll mix, you can easily make a simple dough using all-purpose flour, yeast, sugar, and milk. There are many American recipes available online that can guide you through making a basic dough that can be used as a substitute.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the hot roll mix with a gluten-free baking mix. Just ensure that all other ingredients, especially the confectioners sugar and any additional toppings, are also gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the recipe.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).