Lemon Curd

 So simple, easy, and delicious.

3 lemons
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 stick butter, room temperature
4 large eggs
1/2 c. lemon juice

Zest the lemons.

Put the zest and sugar into a food processor. Pulse until zest is minced into the sugar.

Cream the butter.

Add the sugar and lemon mix to the butter. Beat.

Add 1 egg at a time, beat between each addition.

Add in the lemon juice, and mix until combined.

Pour the mixture into a saucepan. Cook over low heat until thickened. Takes about 10-15 minutes. Stir constantly.

The lemon curd will thicken at about 170 F. 

Remove from the heat and cool.

Enjoy with scones or whatever it is you like to eat with lemon curd. 

Recipe courtesy of The Barefoot Contessa via Stephenie Tanner

Gingerbread Cookies

*Plan ahead... needs to chill

Dough

4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Before baking

1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 c. packed dark brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 c. molasses

Icing
3 large egg whites
4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

To make the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.

Mix in the egg and molasses.

After baking

On low speed, mix in half the flour mixture, then repeat until well combined.

Shape the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a quarter-inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread men or whatever shape you want them to be using the cooking cutter. Place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.

Freeze the cookies for 15 minutes.

Bake until the cookies are firm to the touch and look dry, about 10 minutes.

Let cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the icing: In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar until thick and smooth, about 5-6 minutes.

Beat in the honey, salt, and vanilla until smooth, about 1 minute.

If it's too thin, add 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar. If it's too thick, add 1/2 tsp. water.

Decorate how you want! This last time we did Baby Yoda.

Recipe courtesy of Rosanna Pansino

Fluffy Japanese Pancakes

1 1/2 c. flour
3 Tbsp. confectioners' sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/4 c. milk
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 large egg yolk
3 large egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
Cooking spray
Maple syrup, for serving

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla, and yolk in a medium bowl until well combined

Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in another large bowl with an electric mixer on medium high speed until stiff peaks form.

Stir the milk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Stir 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the flour-milk mixture. Then gently fold in the remaining egg whites until just combined. Take care not to overmix.

Lightly spray the inside of four 3-inch by 2 inch ring molds with cooking spray.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium low heat. Put the prepared ring molds in the middle of the skillet and fill each with 1/2 c. of batter. It should fill each ring mold about halfway.

Cover the skillet with the lid and cook until the batter rises to the tops of the ring molds and is golden on the bottom, about 5 minutes.

Release the bottom of the pancakes with a spatula. Grasp the sides of the ring molds with tongs to stabilize them then carefully flip.

Cover and cook until golden on the other side, about 5 minutes more.

Transfer to a plate and remove the mold. Serve with syrup or butter or whatever you like.

The pancakes should be eaten before they deflate.

Lightly spray the ring molds and coat the skillet again, and repeat with the remaining batter. Enjoy!

These pancakes are super filling!

Recipe courtesy of The Food Network

The Best Lemon Loaf

Loaf

Cooking spray
flour
3 eggs
1 c. sugar
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. canola or veg oil
2 Tbsp. lemon zest
1-2 Tbsp. lemon extract (note, NOT tsp.)
1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Lemon Glaze

1 c. confectioners' sugar
3 Tbsp. lemon juice, or as necessary for consistency

To make the loaf: Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spray a 9x5 loaf pan with cooking spray then flour. Set aside.

Add the eggs, sugar, and sour cream to a large bowl, then whisk vigorously until smooth and combined.

Drizzle in the oil while whisking to combine.

Add the lemon zest and extract, and whisk to combine.

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined. Don't overmix. If there's a few lumps, it's okay.

Turn the batter out into prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Bake for about 50-52 minutes or until top is domed, set, and toothpick comes out clean.

In the last 10 minutes of baking, tent pan with foil to prevent excessive browning on the top and sides of bread before the center cooks through.

Allow loaf to cool in the pan on top of a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool completely before glazing.

To make the lemon glaze: In a small bowl, add the confectioners' sugar, and slowly drizzle in the lemon juice while whisking until smooth and combined and desired consistency.

Evenly drizzle glaze over bread before slicing and serving.

Plum Flognarde

Butter or cooking spray
7-8 ripe plums
1/2 c. + 6 Tbsp. sugar, divided
2-3 Tbsp. cognac
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. whole milk
3 large eggs
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Butter a tart pan or cast iron skillet. Cut a circular piece of parchment paper and place on the bottom of the pan, spraying under and over with cooking spray. Set aside

Cut each plum in half crosswise and remove the pit. Slice the plums into thin slices. Combine the sliced plums with cognac and 2-3 Tbsp. sugar in a bowl. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes.

In a food processor, combine flour, 1/2 c. sugar, salt, milk, eggs, butter, vanilla, and liquid from plums. Pulse until incorporated and consistent in texture.

Pour batter into prepared tart pan. Bake for 25 minutes until batter is set.

When you remove from the oven, flognarde will be puffed and overflowing. It will sink rapidly within a few seconds. At this point, arrange sliced plums on the flognarde, starting on the outside rim and working your way to the middle. Sprinkle 1-2 Tbsp. sugar over the top of the plums and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Let cool before serving.

Recipe courtesy of newblooming.com

Orange Souffle

Creme Anglaise Sauce

2 egg yolks
1 c. heavy cream
1/3 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. Grand Marnier, or other orange liqueur
1/4 tsp. vanilla
orange zest

Souffle

1 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 Tbsp. sugar
5 tsp. butter
5 tsp. flour
1/4 c. cold milk
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. orange zest
1 Tbsp. Grand Marnier, or other orange liqueur
1/8 tsp. vanilla
2 egg whites
1/4 c. sugar, divided

 To make the creme anglaise sauce: Whisk all ingredients together in a small saucepan until smooth.

Over med-low heat, stir constantly with rubber spatula, scraping the bottom, until thickened and reaches a temperature of 180 F.

Remove from heat, strain to remove any uncooked particles of egg. Allow to cool. Add in some freshl orange zest to the cooled creme anglaise. Then make the souffle.

 
To make the souffle: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Brush the insides of 4 4 oz. ramekins with 1 Tbsp. melted butter, and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp. sugar. Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Melt 5 tsp. butter in a saucepan over medium low heat. Cook and stor flour into the melted butter until golden brown and bubbly, about 2 minutes.

Pour in milk and cook, stirring continuously until smooth and thick, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a mixing bowl.

Stir orange zest and orange liqueur into butter mixture until combined. Add egg yolks and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Whisk egg whites in a large bowl until frothy. Slowly add 1/8 c. sugar and whisk until combined. Add remaining sugar and continue to whisk until meringue is thick and holds it shape, but is not stiff.

Fold half the meringue into egg yolk mixture until well combined. Gently fold in second half until well mixed. Transfer to the prepared ramekins, allowing 1/4 inch of space at the top.

Bake until risen and browned, about 16 minutes.

Immediately make a divot in the top of each souffle with a small spoon. Pour the creme anglaise into the divot and over the top of each souffle. Serve warm. Enjoy!

I have this souffle on a Princess Cruise ship. It was the most amazing dessert I'd ever had. I wanted to remake it. I found these recipes on Allrecipes.com and it is very nearly the same and most heavenly.

Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies with Lemon Icing

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. blueberries
1 c. powdered sugar
juice of one lemon

Preheat oven to 350 F. Make sure your oven rack is set in the middle position.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl, and set aside.

Cream together the butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then mix in the vanilla.

Stir in the flour mixture, then stir in the oats. Next fold in the blueberries, making sure to be very gentle.

Using 2 heaping tablespoons per cookie, roll dough into balls and place them onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart.

Bake 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden brown but the middles are still quite pale.

Cool the cookies for several minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Once the cookies are cool, mix the powdered sugar and lemon juice together. Drizzle the glaze on top of the cookies and let sit until glaze has hardened.

Store in an airtight container.

These cookies were way better after they sat and cooled and set all night. Delicious. I'm already planning on making another batch.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://ahappyfooddance.com/blueberry-oatmeal-cookies/

Funfetti Cake

Cake:
1 c. milk, room temperature
6 egg whites, room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. cake flour
1 3/4 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. butter, cool room temperature
1/2 c. confetti sprinkles

Icing: 
2 c. butter, room temperature
6 c. confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. whipping cream
pink food coloring (or whichever color you want)
1/4 - 1/2 c. sprinkles

To make the cake:Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Butter and flour 8 inch round cake pans (2). Then line with parchment.

In a medium bowl, mix together milk, whites, and vanilla. Set aside.
Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add sugar and powder, and mix on low speed. Add in the butter. Continue mixing on low until crumbly.

Pour in all but 1/2 cup of the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add in the remaining milk. Beat for another minute.

Fold in the sprinkles.

Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans. Bake 27-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

To make the icing: In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy.

Add in the sugar, and beat on low speed. Mix until well blended. Change to medium speed, and beat for 2 minutes.


Add vanilla.

Add the cream in 1 tsp. at a time.

Add in the food coloring. Mix, then stir in the sprinkles.

To assemble to cake: When the cakes are completely cool, use a serrated knife, and slice the top of each cake layer off to make it even and flat.

Put cake number 1 on the plate you're going to serve it on. Add a level layer of icing to the top of the cake.

Place cake number 2 on top of the icing.

Add a very thin and even layer of icing all over the cake (this is called your crumb coat). Chill for 30 minutes.

When the cake is done chilling, finish frosting the cake how you want it to look. Pipe a border around the base if you like, just make sure you use a large enough tip otherwise the sprinkles can get stuck.

I served this cake the day I made it, and it was good. I had some the following day, and it was even better. So if you can plan ahead, this cake is best the second day. Just make sure to cover it so it doesn't dry out. I put a few toothpicks in the top of the cake to keep plastic wrap from touching the icing.

Making this cake is definitely a time consuming process, but it's a great cake. Fun for a party!

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://bestfriendsforfrosting.com/2013/11/double-layer-confetti-cake/

Pound Cake

1 lb. butter, softened but cold, plus more for greasing
1 lb. sugar
1 lb. eggs (approximately 8), room temperature
2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 lb. cake flour, sifted
1/2 Tbsp. salt

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Grease two loaf pans with butter and line with parchment paper, leaving enough parchment overhang to be able to pull the loaves out of the pans after baking.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar, and beat on high for about 10 minutes, stopping frequently to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. The mixture will become light and fluffy, almost completely white in color.

Add the eggs one at a time to the batter, mixing well on high speed between additions.

Add in the vanilla. Beat the mixture on high until completely smooth and evenly mixed.

Add the dry ingredients, and finish mixing the batter by hand, stopping as soon as the batter is smooth. You don't want to over mix it.

Divide the batter into the loaf pans. Bake for approximately 1 hour, rotating the pans at 15, 30, and 45 minutes. Rotate the pans carefully and slowly; try not to disturb the cakes.

Ice cream pound cake

Test with a toothpick after an hour, it should come out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans. Cool the cakes on a cooling rack. Cool completely before serving.

This recipe is easy to halve if you only want one pound cake. I've served this pound cake plain, with fruit, with ice cream, and I've used it to make an ice cream cake. It's delicious and versatile.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/02/easy-vanilla-bean-pound-cake-recipe.html

Lemon Curd Cookies

2 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. confectioners sugar, plus extra for decorating
1/2 c. canola oil
1 egg
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. lemon curd, store bought or homemade

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

Beat in the oil, egg, and extracts.

Add flour mixture to creamed mixture. Stir until combined.

Drop one tablespoon of dough (I used a tartlet scoop) on a greased baking sheet (or two). Bake for 8 minutes.

Remove from the oven and, using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Fill with about a teaspoon of lemon curd. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until cookies are firm and lightly browning on the sides.

Remove to wire racks to cool.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar if you want.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.barbarabakes.com/lemon-bar-cookie-cups/

Poop Emoji Meringues

2 Tbsp. meringue powder
pinch of salt
1/4 c. water
2/3 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 drops brown food coloring (optional)
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
candy eyeballs
white frosting (I used canned)

Take either a #2A pastry tip or bottle cap (I used a lid from my bottle of Baileys), and on a sheet of parchment paper that is cut to fit whatever baking sheet you are using, draw circles using the tip or cap all over the paper. Leave about 1/2 an inch or so between the circles. The meringues don't expand much during baking, but they should have a bit of room. Then place the parchment paper pen or pencil side down on the baking sheet. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 200 F.

In a large metal or glass bowl (not plastic), mix together the meringue powder, salt, and water until foamy.

While you're still mixing, slowly add in the vanilla. Then slowly add in the sugar. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.

Add the drops of food coloring (if you want it), then add in the cocoa powder. Mix together on the slowest speed until mixed completely.

Using a pastry bag, add the #12 pastry tip. A helpful way to fill the bag is after the tip is ready, put the bag in a tall glass and fold over the top of the bag. Fill the bag with the meringue mixture. Tie off the top of the bag. Pipe right away as meringues are sensitive to heat.

Using the prepared baking sheet, put a tiny dot of meringue mixture on the bottom corners of the parchment paper to hold it down to the baking sheet while you're piping.

Starting in the middle of each circle, pipe to the outside edge, go around the circle once, then go up a layer, then one more layer before letting go. Continue until you've made poops on all the drawn circles.

Put the meringues in the oven and bake for 1 hour. At the end of the hour, turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven another 30 minutes. Let the meringues come to room temperature before decorating.

They may crackle a little after you've taken them out of the oven.

To prepare the faces for the poops, you will need a #1 tip in a pastry bag filled with frosting, and you will need to separate out eyeballs for each poop. If you don't care if the pupils are similar in size, then you can skip the sorting.

I tried being efficient, so I took 4 poops, drew the smiles on like the emoji, then made two dots of frosting above the smile. Then I took the eyeballs and secured them to the dots of frosting on each poop. And this process continued for quite a while until the poops were all done.

Store in an airtight container.

These meringues take quite a while from start to finish, but it was so fun. We loved eating the poops!

Here's a link to the video recipe I used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0iv1YFaoxQ.

Strawberry Jam Filled Cookie Bars

For the Filling:
2 1/2 c. strawberries, fresh or frozen
1/4 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
3 Tbsp corn starch + 1/4 c. cold water

For the Cookie Dough:
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 3/4 c. + 2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder

To make the filling: The filling will need to cool down before being used, so make sure you make the filling first.

In a small pot, add the strawberries, water, and sugar. Bring to a simmer, then simmer for 10-15 minutes.You will need to stir regularly and break up the strawberries with a spoon as they cook.

Dissolve the corn starch in the cold water. Add slowly to the boiling strawberry mixture. Stir constantly. Cook for another few minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes the consistency of pie filling. Make sure you're stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and transfer to a glass bowl to cool. Cool for at least 30 minutes, stirring it every now and then before using it in the cookie bars.

To make the cookie dough: Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Cream the butter and sugar together.

Beat in the egg and vanilla.

In a small bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder, then fold into the creamed mixture until a dough forms.

Divide the dough into two equal parts.

Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with plastic wrap and press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the lined pan. Lift the flattened dough out of the pan, still keeping it on the plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

Lightly grease the baking pan and line it with parchment paper.

Press the other half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Spread the strawberry filling evenly over the base layer.

Take the dough square from the fridge and peel back part of the plastic wrap so you can flip it onto the filling. Then peel the rest of the plastic wrap off. Press down lightly on the dough.

Bake for 25-35 minutes, until lightly golden on top.

Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.rockrecipes.com/raspberry-filled-cookie-bars/

Large Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are definitely my new favorite cookies.

Plan ahead... needs to chill...

2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs, room temperature
2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. granulated sugar, for rolling

In a medium sized bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and both sugars together until smooth.

Add in the eggs and beat until combined.

Mix in the peanut butter and vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Add in the chocolate chips.

Chill the dough for 1 hour in the refrigerator. If you chill the dough longer than an hour or so, allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before trying to roll into balls.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Roll cookie dough into large balls, about 3 Tablespoons of dough per cookie (it's a lot, but they are large cookies!), then roll the dough in the granulated sugar.

Place 8 balls onto the cookie sheets. Gently press down on each ball to slightly flatten.

Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned on the sides. The centers will still look very soft.

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

If you're waiting between making batches, make sure you put the dough back in the fridge or it gets to sticky and is hard to roll.

These cookies are amazing and I will definitely be making them again. Soon.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/07/08/big-bakery-style-peanut-butter-chunk-cookies/. I love Sally! Haven't gone wrong with any of her recipes yet!

Pumpkin White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Plan ahead... needs to chill... 
 
1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of salt
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
1/2 c. white chocolate bar cut into chunks
cooking spray
sprinkles (optional)

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until combined.

Add in the vanilla and pumpkin. Stir to mix in.

Add in everything else minus the white chocolate (and sprinkles, if you choose to use them) until you get a soft dough.

Stir in the chocolate chunks.

Refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes.

When your dough is ready, preheat oven to 350 F. Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 4 minutes, then rotate pans. Bake for 4-6 more minutes. Don't over bake these. They will continue to cook slightly after you remove them from the oven.

Slightly flatten the cookies with the bottom of a glass. Add sprinkles if you want. My two year old added sprinkles to ours.

Let cool on the baking sheets about 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Here's a link to the recipe I slightly adapted: http://thedomesticrebel.com/2014/09/30/the-best-chewy-pumpkin-chip-cookies/

Iced Raspberry Danish Braids

Plan ahead... needs to chill...twice...

Dough ready to chill

Dough:
1/4 c. warm water
2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
1/2 c. milk, room temperature
1 egg, room temperature
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
14 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold

Raspberry Filling:
2 1/2 c. raspberries, fresh or frozen (I used half raspberry, half blueberry)
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. warm water

Rolling it out

2 tsp. cornstarch

Egg Wash:
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk

Icing:
1 c. confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. heavy cream or whole milk

Dough recipe makes 2 braids.

To make the dough: Whisk the yeast and warm water together in a large bowl. Allow it to sit for 3 minutes until foamy. Add milk, egg, granulated sugar, and salt. Once these wet ingredients are mixed together, set the bowl aside and make your butter/flour mixture.

Cut butter into slices and add to a food processor or blender. Top with flour. Pulse the mixture 10-12 times, until butter is fairly crumbled.

Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Very gently fold the two mixtures together. Be very, very, very gentle when you are folding the two together. Fold just until the dry ingredients are moistened. The butter must remain in pieces, which creates a flaky pastry. Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the dough up tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

After 4-12 hours, take the dough out of the refrigerator to begin the "rolling and folding" process.

Flour a work surface. The dough will be sticky, so make sure you have flour nearby as you roll and fold. Using the palm of your hands, gently flatten the dough into a small square.  From there, roll out into a 15 inch long rectangle using your rolling pin. You may have to continue to lightly flour the counter as you are rolling. Fold the dough together as if it were a business letter. And roll it out into a 15 inch long rectangle again. Then, fold again into a business letter. You'll repeat rolling and folding 1 more time for a total of 3 times.

Fold the dough up tightly, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day. While the dough is chilling, make the filling.

To make the raspberry (or blueberry) filling: Whisk together the warm water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside.

Starting the braid

Combine the raspberries and sugar in a small saucepan over low-medium heat.  Stir and allow the raspberries to break down, about 4 minutes. Mix in the cornstarch/water. Gently simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Set aside to come to room temperature before using. 

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

After at least 30 minutes, take the dough from the refrigerator and cut it in half. Wrap 1 half up and keep chilled as you work with the first half. Roll out your dough on one of the prepared baking sheets to make a 12x6 inch rectangle.

Cut off two corners of the dough and then two small triangles at the other end.

Spread 1/2 of the filling down the length of the center of the strip. Cut slanting strips (3/4 inch - 1 inch each) along both sides. I used a pizza cutter, but a very sharp knife would work. Fold the bottom end up to "seal" the filling in and allow the braid to rest for 15-20 minutes as you preheat your oven. Repeat with the second half of the dough and the rest of the filling.

Preheat oven to 400 F.

To make the egg wash: Beat the egg wash ingredients together. Brush the top of the pastry with egg wash. There will be enough egg wash for both braids.

Raspberry

Bake each braid for 15-16 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to rotate the pan at least two times to ensure the braid is browning evenly. Allow 10 minutes of cooling before drizzling with the icing.

Blueberry

To make the icing: As the braids are baking, prepare the icing by whisking all of the ingredients together. After 10 minutes of cooling, drizzle the braids with glaze and serve immediately.

I used two recipes from Sally for this. It was worth it. http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-danish-pastry-dough/ and http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/10/30/raspberry-danish-braid/.

Ready to eat!