The Show Must Go On
June 29, 2008 at 6:22 am | In Baking / Cooking, Food | 61 CommentsGreetings from 30,000 feet above Earth! That’s right- I’m currently on my way to Portland, staring out the tiny reinforced plastic window at the clouds below. Up above the thunderstorms that are brewing back at home, the weather (or lack thereof) is bright, sunny, and quite lovely*. But never mind the location; there’s nothing that would stop this Daring Baker from posting on time!
Venturing closer to the territory of puff pastry, croissants, and other meticulously layered pastries, the Daring Bakers chose to take on the impressive Danish braid. Although not difficult per say, it does take a good deal of patience and advanced planning. Requiring two hours total to rest between the four turns, and then a final stay in the fridge overnight, this is no last-minute project. Naturally, I waited just about as long as possible to create my second braid.
Second? Yes, second. Sure, the first one worked out just fine and my cherry-chocolate filling tasted great, but I was dead-set on redoing the challenge before the deadline. You see, it was the pictures that were total failures! Knowing that there would be so many beautiful braids on display, I could hardly feel good about sharing something as amateurish as this:
Of course, I had halved the dough figuring that the extra would only waste space in our already pastry-filled kitchen, so I had to start back at the beginning again. Instead of going exactly by the book as per my first Danish, I decided that in this revised version I would omit the cardamom and orange zest, and just for comparison, replace the egg with soy yogurt instead of flax seed as I had previously. Sad to say, this made for a wetter and more finicky dough, and the photos came out even worse this time around, but all said and done, I couldn’t have cared less; it was drop-dead delicious.
Going against tradition and specifically creating a filling that wasn’t fruit-based, this concoction inspired by the flavors German chocolate cake, featuring a wallop of coconut and dark chocolate chips. Thankfully, all the hassle was more than worth the effort, as everyone raved that this version was even better than the first. I have to agree- That filling was so good, I must sheepishly admit that I ate a good portion of it plain, on a spoon. The good news is that the recipe, adapted from the Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen, makes much more than will fit inside a Danish braid, so the extra bites won’t be missed!
German Chocolate Filling
1 Cup + 2 Tablespoons Soymilk, Divided
1/3 Cup Cornstarch
1 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
3 Cups Sweetened Desiccated Coconut
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Thoroughly mix together 2 tablespoons of the soymilk with all of the cornstarch so that there are no lumps, and set aside.
In a saucepan, combine the remaining soymilk and sugar, and set it on the stove over medium heat. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and whisk vigorously so that the contents of the pot are homogeneous. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it has significantly thickened and bubbles begin to break on the surface. Turn off the heat and mix in the coconut and pecans. Let it cool completely before stirring in the chocolate chips. Stuff into pastries, use it to top cupcakes, or eat it on toast!
*Coming back down into that stormy atmosphere was a whole different story… I’ve never experienced lightning quite like that before!
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have a safe trip, Hannah!
Comment by Celine — June 29, 2008 #
Cherry chocolate? Wow, that sounds like a delicious dessert! Have a great time in Portland!
Comment by Gretchen Noelle — June 29, 2008 #
Hannah, NOTHING that you bake could ever look amateurish – such a stunning pastry!!
Have a fabulous time in Portland!!
Comment by VeggieGirl — June 29, 2008 #
Chocolate and cherry…and German chocolate cake?!! – the awesomeness is overwhelming :) Your braids are beautiful, as are your photos, you perfectionist. Knock ‘em dead in Portland!!
Comment by madcapCupcake — June 29, 2008 #
Oh, my yum. Great job!! Have a fantastic time in Portland! I’m sure you will. Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Comment by Jess - The Domestic Vegan — June 29, 2008 #
Bon voyage! And it looks so yummy!
Comment by shellyfish — June 29, 2008 #
um…trying to resist licking the screen here…how delicious!
Comment by Cheryl Harris — June 29, 2008 #
OMG, what a champ you are! Blogging from a plane and doing the challenge twice!? Well, both braids came out beautifully and I love both of the fillings you chose. Great job and have a good time in Portland! :)
Comment by Jen Yu — June 29, 2008 #
Both of your pictures look amazing! They have me drooling. And your fillings are so creative. Cherry chocolate and German chocolate- YUM!
Have a great time in Portland!
Comment by Animal-Friendly — June 29, 2008 #
Cherry and chocolate? Oh my word that looks and sounds heavenly!
Comment by Dianne — June 29, 2008 #
Yum. I love chocolate. Cherries always make it better too. Your braid looks amazing as well.
Comment by Lauren — June 29, 2008 #
They look amazing and not amateurish to me! Have a great trip.
Comment by Robyn — June 29, 2008 #
This braid looks so plump and delicious. Cherry and chocolate is a wonderful filling idea. Love it.
Comment by Aparna — June 29, 2008 #
I dunno… I find your photos delightfully rustic, like something that might have emerged from my grandmother’s oven. And they certainly tempt the taste buds! Great job.
Travel safe!
Comment by Dolores — June 29, 2008 #
Your danish look totally delicious and I love your chocolate coconut filling! Nothing wrong with your photos at all in my eyes!
Comment by HoneyB — June 29, 2008 #
That is beautiful, far from amateurish! And chocolate cherry, yum!!
Comment by Jen — June 29, 2008 #
Great looking braid! I used yogurt as the egg substitute and had pretty good results. I love the cherry chocolate filling idea!
Comment by Jes — June 29, 2008 #
Oh german chocolate filling…that sounds all sorts of good. Enjoy Portland…it’s one of my favorite places.
Comment by peabody — June 29, 2008 #
Lovely, as usual. Congratulations!
Comment by SpeedbumpKitchen — June 29, 2008 #
Mmm, looks delightful :)
Comment by Heather D. — June 29, 2008 #
Oh wow, that filling sounds and looks incredible. And I’m glad you landed safely!!
Comment by coulditbeseitan — June 29, 2008 #
german chocolate filling–are you kidding me?!? that is my favorite type of cake, so it would probably be my favorite type of dainsh, too!!
Comment by steph (whisk/spoon) — June 29, 2008 #
Very nice pastry. The filling sounds so delicious.
Comment by didally — June 30, 2008 #
Hannah there’s not a thing wrong with either photo. Both make me long for a fork and the reality of those braids. Wow both your fillings sound divine.
Comment by MyKitchenInHalfCups — June 30, 2008 #
Cherry chocolate vegan strudel?! You never cease to amaze! Have fun in Portland!
Comment by mari — June 30, 2008 #
my husband & i were totally planning to go to herbavore to meet you, unfortunately our pup wasn’t feeling great and i was nervous about leaving her alone while we gallivanted around town. sorry we missed you! hopefully you loved portland so you’ll visit our neck of the woods again soon!
Comment by Shannon — June 30, 2008 #
Have fun in Portland!
And you say your picture looks amateurish….it looks wonderful and delicious! Love your filling.
Comment by linda — June 30, 2008 #
i think your danish looks gorgeous – and super tasty! the combination of cherries and chocolate sounds divine!
you had me drooling over the pictures! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Comment by jessy — June 30, 2008 #
Awesome braid, Hannah! Looks flaky and decadent!
Comment by Jennifer — June 30, 2008 #
I love the pictures and the braid looks sweet!
I’m going to try leaving the cardamom out of mine next time, too…
Comment by Mom Quixote — June 30, 2008 #
Oooh, German-chocolate! What an inspired filling for a braid! Pictures are luscious, too.
Comment by Angela — June 30, 2008 #
wow! your fillings look amazing!!
Comment by Lorrie — June 30, 2008 #
Cherry Chocolate AND dedication too! Well done on the challenge. Enjoy Portland.
Comment by breadchick — June 30, 2008 #
Wow, I thought your first picture was amazing! It’s too funny, I made both my braids but didn’t get to enjoy either of them straight out of the oven because I was so concerned about pictures. :-) Both fillings sound really delicious. Hope you had fun in Portland! Wish I could have been there to have you sign my copy of MSV!
Comment by Vegan_Noodle — June 30, 2008 #
yum! that sounds delicious.
have a good trip, and eat some amazing portland treats for me!
Comment by meghan — June 30, 2008 #
German chocolate cake flavors. OMG, inspired.
Comment by Rebecca — June 30, 2008 #
safe travels! jealous you’re going to PDX!
Comment by happyherbivore — June 30, 2008 #
I actually liked your pictures, lol! And what to say about that german chocolate cake filling? Wow!
Comment by Clumbsy Cookie — June 30, 2008 #
What’s wrong with your pictures? Everything looks great.
Comment by Jenny — June 30, 2008 #
What dedication posting in the air! Great job on the challenge.
Comment by Claire — June 30, 2008 #
Cherry Chocolate filling, oh my! I think your braid looks scrumptious!
Comment by Renee — July 1, 2008 #
That is a beautiful braid and the filling sounds heavenly. Thank you for baking with us :)
Comment by Ben — July 1, 2008 #
I hope you had a great time in Portland and at your book signing!
And if you call your photos amateurish, you will give the rest of us bloggers a serious complex. So quit it! ;-)
Comment by bazu — July 1, 2008 #
that is SO awesome – cherry chocolate braid? Seriously yum, and that photo is gorgeous, no worries!
Comment by Liz² — July 1, 2008 #
mmm! that looks fabulous! have a great time in portland – i love that city!
by the way, i moved my blog to http://stoniebrook.blogspot.com!
Comment by Brook — July 1, 2008 #
How I would love to break of a piece of that braid and have it with my tea!
Comment by veron — July 1, 2008 #
wow, that looks truly delicious! I just came across your blog today (I must have been living in a cave?) anyways I added you to my blogroll so I don’t miss out anymore ;)
Comment by janet — July 1, 2008 #
Any vegan danish is beautiful to me! Hope you had a great time in Portland, seems it would be hard not to.
Comment by veganhomemade — July 1, 2008 #
Have safe and wonderful trip. Your braids are gorgeous and the fillings sound divine!
Comment by Gigi — July 1, 2008 #
Absolutely beautiful looking braid! Your fillings sound amazing.
Comment by Amber — July 1, 2008 #
“already pastry-filled kitchen” — get outta my dream!
Comment by Lisa — July 2, 2008 #
Your braid looks yummy! And I looooove the sound of the German chocolate filling. Definitely saving that for another day.
Comment by Ashley — July 2, 2008 #
Stunning as always! Love the cherries! Enjoy your time in Portland!
Comment by Tartelette — July 3, 2008 #
All the braids I’ve seen have looked amazing & yours is no exception! I want to make one of these braids now!
Comment by melisser — July 3, 2008 #
Hi Hannah,
I have selected your blog to receive an Arte Y Pico Award. I have posted a link to your site and other info here: http://www.allaboutjewellerymaking.info/arte-y-pico-award/
You may not recognise the web address as it is my jewellery making blog but I am the person that swapped the felt strawberry for one of your sweet crocheted cakes (which is proudly displayed on my dining room dresser).
Best wishes
Clare
Comment by Clare — July 3, 2008 #
You did a fabulous job on your danish. I love your filling too…german chocolate. It sounds simply scrumptious and it’s making me drool.
Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go
Comment by Sheltie Girl — July 3, 2008 #
Your braid looks fantastic! I need to check out that daring bakers site!
Comment by Shelly — July 4, 2008 #
I think your photos look great! It might also be that I’m a huge fan of the chocolate & cherry combo and cannot see beyond how delicious your pastries sound : ) I’m going to have to try the dough myself with ground flax seeds since they’re favorites of mine!!
Comment by Antonio — July 4, 2008 #
Wow. What else can I say but Wow.
Comment by Jenny — July 4, 2008 #
Mine weren’t so pretty either, but I used cherries as one filling and that braid was delicious. Serves me right for trying to make danish pastry in 85+ humidity.
Comment by amyh — July 5, 2008 #
I think the pictures are pretty good! :) Great job!
Comment by Jessica — July 8, 2008 #