
The thing is, I have encountered it so much, and in such different age groups, that I am beginning to think that it's taught in school. I cannot explain it otherwise.
Nevertheless, every time somebody asks me if I'm Danish or speak Danish, I can't help but think of pastries. I know it's silly, because I've been to Denmark several times and have very dear friends living there. Surely I could think of many other things besides baked goods, but no.....pastries it is. I can't help it!
Danish pastries are very similar in texture to puff pastry. Loaded with butter, they nevertheless have a light and layered presentation and pair well with fruits and custards. A traditional Dutch Danish therefore would be a koffiebroodje, or for something fruitier, an appelflap, or apple turnover. And as it happens, the orchard down the road just emailed to say that the apples are ripe for picking.....so appelflappen it is!
This is a typical pastry that you will find in bakeries, and places where they serve coffee and tea. It's crispy, sweet and filled with the goodness of apples.
Appelflappen
2 tablespoons currants

2 tablespoons raisins
1/2 cup apple juice
3 dried apricots
2 Jonagold apples
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
1 lb puff pastry (or one Pepperidge Farm package)
Coarse sugar
Add the currants and the raisins to the apple juice. Put the dried apricots in a small cup and add enough warm water to cover. Soak the currants, raisins and apricots overnight, or at least for a good four hours.
Allow the puff pastry to thaw, while you peel and core the apple. Chop the apple in small pieces. Drain the raisins and currants and add to the apples, stir. Mince the apricots until almost a pulp and fold it into the apple mixture, then add the sugar and the cinnamon and stir until everything is well mixed. Set aside.
Unfold the puff pastry and cut into squares, 4.5 x 4.5 inches approximately. Place them before you with one corner pointing downwards. Place about 1/4 cup of filling on the bottom half of the square, wet the edges of the dough and fold the top part over, forming a triangle. Carefully press the dough around the filling and on the edges, making sure they are tight.
Place the triangles on some parchment paper on a baking sheet and place it in the fridge while you turn on the oven. Heat to 385F.
Remove from the fridge, and moisten the top of each triangle with some water, then sprinkle the coarse sugar on top. Place the baking sheet on the middle shelf in the oven, and bake the turnovers for 20 minutes or until golden.
Makes 8.
Wat een heerlijke blog! Ik woon sinds april in Virginia, en het is super om al die typisch Nederlandse gerechten bij elkaar te zien. Ik dacht bijna dat we geen eigen eetcultuur hebben...
ReplyDeleteIk zie dat je hier Jonagold appels gebruikt, voor een appeltaart gebruik ik graag Goudreinetten (Schone van Boskoop). Ben je die in de VS al eens tegengekomen? Of iets dat er op lijkt?
Celeste, goudreinetten zijn hier jammer genoeg moeilijk te krijgen. Ik gebruik voor appeltaarten meestal een mix van 3 appels zodat ik een combinatie van smaken krijg. Meestal Jonagolds, Fujis en Galas maar soms ook Granny Smith, zoals Stefanie hieronder, of zelfs Pink Ladies of Winesap. De Goudreinet boompjes zijn wel online verkrijgbaar dus als je de mogelijkheid hebt, kun je misschien een paar boompjes planten? Ik ga zelf ook eens even kijken!
DeleteGoed idee, die appels mixen. Ga ik proberen! Ik woon nu in een huurhuis, dus zelf een boompje planten moet nog even wachten. Ben wel benieuwd of het je lukt, zelf deze Goudreinet appels kweken.
DeleteIk gebruik voor appel-bak-recepten de Granny Smith appels hier in de VS. (Ik woon in Colorado). Bakze!
ReplyDeleteLove these and amandelspijs broodjes!
ReplyDeleteOh....I should put amandelspijsbroodjes on the to-do list for Sinterklaas!
DeleteYour side note about the Dutch/Danish confusion made me laugh, because it is also 100% true of my husband's experience as a Dutch person in America. I don't know where it comes from, probably just Americans not knowing enough to know the difference.
ReplyDeleteI always make the filling a bit more simple, but i think your version is also very tasty.
ReplyDeleteI just add raisins, pieces of apple (smaller than half a centimeter) and as much cinnamon as i like. I also use a bit of vanilla sugar in the filling.
These turned out beautifully, Nicole. I made a batch, had one with coffee, went out to do the shopping and while I was gone my husband ate the rest. I simplified the recipe a bit (e.g., no apricot), but they still worked fine. Teresa.
ReplyDeleteMy Oma made them very differently...she would slice cores appels in the round, and then take appelflap batter or thin out oliebol batter and dip them in it, so you'd get what looked like a flat donut. Then deep-fry, dip in icing sugar, and enjoy on New Year's Day! Delicious. I miss them and will have to learn how to make them...this was only my second Nieeuw Jaar met geen oliebollen of appelflappen! Shame...
ReplyDeleteHello Teresa, you will find the appelflappen as you know them under Appelbeignets. It's an easy recipe, so no need to go without next year (or next week ;-) - Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
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