Danish Almond Loaf

Delight in the buttery elegance of a homemade Danish Almond Loaf, a bakery-style treat perfect for breakfast, coffee breaks, or dessert. This beautifully golden loaf combines a soft, yeast-based dough with a fragrant almond paste filling, delivering a rich and nutty flavor in every bite. Topped with a scattering of sliced almonds for extra crunch and a delicate powdered sugar glaze, this recipe is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. With just 30 minutes of prep time and straightforward steps, you can recreate this classic Danish-inspired pastry at home—ideal for impressing guests or indulging in a sweet afternoon escape. Whether served fresh with coffee or enjoyed the next day, this loaf is the perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 0.75 cup whole milk, warm
• 1 unit large egg
• 7 ounces almond paste
• 0.5 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons whole milk (for glaze)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.

Step 2

Cut the cold unsalted butter into small cubes and work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 3

In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm whole milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.

Step 4

Add the yeast mixture and the egg into the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Step 6

While the dough rises, crumble the almond paste into a small bowl and mix it with the vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 8

After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle roughly 12x8 inches.

Step 9

Spread the almond paste mixture evenly over the center of the dough, leaving about 1 inch of space around the edges.

Step 10

Fold the long edges of the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal. Tuck in the short ends to form a loaf shape.

Step 11

Place the loaf seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 12

Brush the top of the loaf with a little milk and sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Step 13

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 14

Let the loaf cool on a wire rack before glazing.

Step 15

To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth.

Step 16

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf, slice, and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1190.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3789.5

Total Fat 165.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 71.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 465.3mg	0%
Sodium 1375.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 509.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.2g	0%
Total Sugars 213.3g
Protein 75.7g	0%

Vitamin D 149.2IU	0%
Calcium 629.8mg	0%
Iron 22.5mg	0%
Potassium 1709.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.9%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 53.2%