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There is something truly magical about starting your morning with a pastry that tastes like it was made just for you, and this Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe delivers exactly that feeling. Imagine a soft, tender bread with a rich buttery crumb, swirled generously with tangy-sweet raspberry preserves and glistening bits of fresh raspberries, all finished with a smooth, dreamy vanilla glaze. Whether you’re treating yourself for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, this raspberry-filled twist bread is a show-stopping delight that is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create layers of flavor and texture. Every component plays its part—from the yeast that gives the bread its soft rise, to the raspberry preserves that add sweetness and a pop of color.
- Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (2 and 1/4 teaspoons): This ensures a reliable, fluffy rise for the bread dough without any fuss.
- Granulated sugar (3 tablespoons): Adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the tart raspberry filling.
- Whole milk (3/4 cup; 180ml): Provides richness and moisture to keep the bread tender and soft.
- Unsalted butter (1/4 cup; 56g), softened: Adds buttery flavor and helps create a delicate crumb structure.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the dough and enrich the batter, contributing to a slight golden color.
- All-purpose flour (3 and 1/2 cups; 438g), plus more as needed: The bread’s structure foundation, spooned and leveled for accurate measurement.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness in the recipe.
- Raspberry preserves/jam (3/4 cup; 240g): Infuses the bread with that signature sweet and tangy raspberry punch.
- Fresh or frozen raspberries (optional; 1/2 cup; 80g): Adds natural texture bursts and extra fruity brightness inside the twists.
- Confectioners’ sugar (1 cup; 120g): Base for the luscious glaze that ties the whole loaf together.
- Heavy cream (3 tablespoons; 45ml) or half-and-half: Makes the glaze silky smooth and pourable.
- Pure vanilla extract (1/4 teaspoon): Lifts the icing with a warm, fragrant finish.
How to Make Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
The magic starts by mixing the Platinum Yeast with sugar and warm milk until it becomes frothy and alive, about 5 to 10 minutes. This step gets your dough off to a perfect start, setting the stage for a light, airy bread that practically melts in your mouth.
Step 2: Combine and Beat the Dough
Add the softened butter, eggs, flour, and salt to your frothy yeast mixture. Beat everything together on low speed for four minutes until it forms a soft dough. This initial mixing is key because it distributes all the ingredients evenly, creating that silky base dough we all love.
Step 3: Knead to Perfection
Now comes a bit of kneading—about five minutes either by hand or using your mixer. The dough should feel soft but slightly tacky; too much flour can make it tough, so add only as needed. When your dough can stretch thin enough to let light pass through without tearing, you know it is ready to rise into a beautiful bread.
Step 4: First Rise
Pop your dough into a greased bowl, cover it, and place it in a warm environment to rise until doubled in size—this takes about 90 minutes. This rise is essential for developing flavor and that cloud-like texture everyone swoons over.
Step 5: Shape the Twist and Second Rise
Roll out the dough into a long rectangle and spread the raspberry preserves evenly on top, dotting fresh raspberries if you like. Roll it tightly into a log, slice it lengthwise, then twist and coil the strips into a gorgeous swirl in a springform pan. Let it rise again until puffy to maximize fluffiness and maintain the twist shape.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Bliss
Bake your twist bread in a preheated 350°F (177°C) oven for 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown. Keep an eye on it—if the top browns too quickly, a foil tent will protect it. The scent alone at this stage is enough to make anyone’s day.
Step 7: Drizzle with Vanilla Icing
While the bread cools for a few minutes, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Drizzle this sweet vanilla icing generously over the bread, creating that perfect finishing touch that makes each slice a little more irresistible.
How to Serve Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe
Garnishes
For an eye-catching presentation, sprinkle some fresh raspberries or a few edible flowers on top of the glazed bread right before serving. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of bakery-worthy elegance without overwhelming the natural raspberry charm.
Side Dishes
This raspberry-laden bread pairs wonderfully with fresh brewed coffee or a cup of tea, making it perfect for cozy mornings. If serving at brunch, crisp bacon or creamy yogurt with granola complements the sweet and fruity flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the bread and serving it warm with a side of whipped cream or mascarpone cheese for a special dessert twist. Alternatively, cut into individual twists before baking and bake in mini muffin tins for easy handheld treats that are as fun to eat as they are delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe stays fresh and flavorful for up to one week, so you can enjoy it over several breakfasts or snacks.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then in foil before placing it in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and refresh in a warm oven for that just-baked feel.
Reheating
To revive the raspberry twist’s soft texture after storage, warm slices in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes or briefly microwave with a damp paper towel to keep moisture. Drizzle more icing or butter if desired to restore that freshly baked goodness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen raspberries work well in this Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe. Just be sure to drain any excess moisture before adding them to avoid soggy dough.
Do I have to use Platinum Yeast from Red Star?
While the recipe uses Platinum Yeast from Red Star for best results, you can substitute with your preferred instant yeast—just keep the same quantity for a reliable rise.
Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?
Yes, this recipe is very doable by hand. Mix with a sturdy spoon and knead on a lightly floured surface for the recommended time until the dough is soft and elastic.
Is the raspberry preserves filling very sweet?
The sweetness is perfectly balanced by the slightly tangy raspberries and vanilla glaze, making it sweet but never overwhelming.
How long does the dough need to rise for the best flavor?
The two rises—about 90 minutes first, then 45 minutes after shaping—allow the flavors and texture to develop fully. Patience here really pays off in the final result.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been looking for a recipe that brings bakery magic into your kitchen, this Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe is a fantastic place to start. It’s a heartfelt crowd-pleaser with a perfect balance of sweet, tart, soft, and buttery that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Trust me, once you try this, it will quickly become one of your favorite homemade treats to share with family and friends.
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Raspberry Danish Twist Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Raspberry Danish Twist Bread is a delightful homemade treat characterized by its soft, fluffy dough twisted with sweet raspberry preserves and optionally fresh raspberries. A perfect weekend baking project, this bread is finished with a smooth vanilla icing glaze that adds a luscious sweetness to each bite. Soft on the inside with a golden crust, the bread is ideal served fresh for breakfast or as a dessert.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (1 standard packet)
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk
- 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons; 56g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 3 and 1/2 cups (438g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling and Topping
- 3/4 cup (240g) raspberry preserves/jam
- Optional: 1/2 cup (80g) fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half or milk)
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook or a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast and granulated sugar. Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C) until warm to the touch. Pour the warmed milk over the yeast mixture and whisk gently to combine. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Mix the dough: To the yeast mixture, add the softened butter, eggs, flour, and salt. Beat on low speed using the mixer for 4 minutes until the dough is soft and beginning to come together.
- Knead the dough: Continue kneading the dough in the mixer for an additional 5 minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes. Add flour sparingly if the dough is too sticky, aiming for a soft, slightly tacky dough. Test the dough by poking; it should slowly bounce back. Optionally, perform a windowpane test by stretching a small dough piece thinly until light passes through without tearing.
- First rise: Lightly grease a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place in a warm environment to rise until doubled, about 90 minutes. A good warm spot is inside an oven preheated to 200°F (93°C) then turned off.
- Prepare for shaping: Grease a 9-inch springform pan. Turn the risen dough out onto a floured surface and gently punch down to release air.
- Shape the twist and second rise: Roll the dough into a 12×16 inch rectangle. Evenly spread raspberry jam over the surface and optionally dot with fresh or frozen raspberries. Roll the dough tightly into a 16-inch log and place it seam side down. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut the log lengthwise in half. Crisscross the halves to form an X, twist them together, and coil into a circular shape. Transfer carefully to the prepared springform pan and cover. Let it rise in a warm place until puffy, about 45 minutes.
- Preheat and bake: Adjust an oven rack to the lower third and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake the dough until golden brown, about 40-45 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent with aluminum foil. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes.
- Prepare icing and serve: Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Remove the springform pan rim carefully and drizzle the icing over the warm bread. Slice and serve. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Warm the milk carefully to avoid killing the yeast; aim for about 110°F (43°C).
- Use a serrated knife when cutting the dough log lengthwise to prevent dough squashing.
- The rising times may vary depending on kitchen temperature; ensure the dough doubles in size for best results.
- You can substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream in the icing for a lighter glaze.
- Ensure not to add too much flour during kneading to maintain a soft, tender crumb.
- Fresh raspberries are optional but add an extra fruity burst and texture.
- Cover leftover bread tightly to maintain moisture when storing.