Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish Braid and Blackberry Danish Pinwheels

I'm just putting the finishing touches on my 4th of July Menu.... I'll post it by 8 EST tonight. It's going to be good.... As a Daring Young Baker, I've risen to the challenge of preparing Sherry Yard's fresh danish dough. From scratch. That's right. From scratch. The mountain was there, and now I have climbed it.

I saw Martha Stewart make puff pastry years ago, and I've since then had a lingering desire to make a folded butter dough. But apparently, it takes a baking assignment to get me crackin'. I loved working with the beautiful dough, but be forewarned: It's quite a bit of work and you'd better be sitting home with a stopwatch for a necklace. Let me show you what I'm talking about.

First you make a beautiful yeast and egg dough.

Next you knead together lots of butter with a bit of flour.Roll out the dough and spread 2/3s with the butter mixture.Fold over both sides, like an envelope. Chill for 30 minutes. Repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat. Four times, so don't paint your nails or try to wash your car. Roll the dough into a rectangle and cut the edges into even strips.Add a filling to the center and tuck the strips over the top, interlocking to form a braid. (My filling is 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoons flour, with 1/3 cup homemade strawberry freezer jam on top.)Bake.Cut into small delectable sections and eat. Oozing filling is considered a huge plus around here.Since you've only used half your dough, cut the rest into little 3 inch squares.Place a teaspoon of jam in the center, cut diagonal slats from each corner and fold up.Sprinkle with coarse sugar and bake.

Now get crackin' on those dishes. For a full and complete recipe, check out Sass and Veracity. Best of luck and I'll see you again tonight.

Coming tonight by 8PM EST

Fourth of July Menu and Shopping List