Danish Pastry guinea pigs needed

[Vigo]

Dang, that sounds awesome! 

[knave]

Almond paste + Apple sounds great.

In the future would you like us to PM you answers of continue answering in the forum?

[Mikezilla]

They'll ship from California.  The recipe is based on traditional pastry doughs from Denmark.
Sorry to disappoint Hoopz.

Sweet, Im in California, so Ill get em before all of you, muhahahahaha!!! There is finally a perk in this hobby being in California! 

Mikezilla, I forgot to mention that you have to pay the "California Housing Expense Tax".  That's probably in the range of $60-$70. JK.

Sounds about right, I was expecting some sort of tax. 

Oh man, all those choices sound amazing. The first combo that popped into my head was apricot and almond paste. Man. Im so glad I got in on this thread! 

[Rando]

Count me in for either

Cherry & Almond Paste
 OR
Pastry Creme (is that like a boston cream filling? Would that be recommended with the almond paste?)

Whichever you get less demand for.

Kewl.

[Le Chuck]

I'm being greedy.  I want Apricot + Cheese (for the wife) + Almond Paste (for the fat kid typing right now).  Soooooo stoked for this!

[shmokes]

I think I'll go apricot + almond paste. What kind of cheese are you thinking of? Apple + brie seems like it could be pretty stellar. Thanks. I'm pretty excited about this.

[Hoopz]

Cherry & Almond paste please.

This is pretty awesome.

 

[Nephasth]

 

Thinking apple with almond paste, but I'll have to clear that with the boss first.

Edit: The boss has spoken. Cherry with almond paste it is!

[Dervacumen]

Almond paste + Apple sounds great.

In the future would you like us to PM you answers of continue answering in the forum?

I think for now let's keep this in the forum.  Once I get everything together here and am ready to bake I'll send everyone a PM with details and to get your shipping address.  For now, I think it's most efficient to keep everyone in on the loop.

[Dervacumen]

Count me in for either

Cherry & Almond Paste
 OR
Pastry Creme (is that like a boston cream filling? Would that be recommended with the almond paste?)

Whichever you get less demand for.

Kewl.

IMO The pastry creme would be best accompanied by one of the fruit fillings.  It's not really like boston cream filling, it's lighter.  And I also think it's better with almond paste.  Everything is better with almond paste.  It keeps you wanting more.  I'll mark you down for Cherry, Almond Paste, Creme.

[Hoopz]

I'm pretty sure that everything is better with bacon.

Just sayin'.   

[HaRuMaN]

I'm hungry now.  When does it get here?   

[yotsuya]

I hope you ---daisies--- all choke on your delicious homemade and delivered pastries and die, thereby opening up more slots for the rest of us! 

[Dervacumen]

Here is a representative picture showing the approximate size of the ring I'll send.  It's about 8-9 inches across in this picture.  These two were experiments in filling and I'm not happy with the results, primarily because the product I bought was not up to par.  Tastes good, looks ok, but I have to make several more before I send these off.  I'm trying the combinations you all requested.  I also included a few pictures of some valentine pastries I made just for fun.  If I were to sell these, I'd make damn sure the almonds were placed a little more carefully.  I didn't give them to anyone, they're just sitting on my counter along with a bunch of others.  These were a test for an upcoming event, to be drizzled with a small amount of chocolate from the local chocolate factory and the cavity filled with a small chocolate dipped dried strawberry.  Maybe some whipped cream around the base.   I'm much more pleased with these, but there's still a few more tests to do.  What do you think?
Based on these pictures, I would appreciate feedback if you're so inclined.

[Dervacumen]

I hope you ---daisies--- all choke on your delicious homemade and delivered pastries and die, thereby opening up more slots for the rest of us! 

I wish these were cheaper to ship, so I could send them out to more mouths.  Until I get some volume going I'm looking at covering almost $12 for each one.  The ingredients add up to another nice chunk.  Maybe for round two...?

[yotsuya]

I'd like to volunteer for Round Two! 

[Le Chuck]

My mouth will not stop watering.  I am in danger of dehydrating just staring at this gooey goodness.  I think I may have unconsciencously licked the screen.  I don't mind paying shipping to help defray costs.  Just let me (us) know your paypal email.  I mean, if it would make the difference between one mega awesome pastry and two mega awesome pastries I think I can speak for the group and say we don't mind kicking in some postage.  Even if it's just one, same deal, but my stomach is grumbling and I'm not above begging. 

[Hoopz]

 

They look good enough for me to kick in some bucks to cover shipping.  Wouldn't bother me to help out.  Lemme know. 

 

[Rando]

Sounds great, looks better, let us know what you need to get started!

I may bring to work and give out pieces and illicit feedback.

[Mikezilla]

Oh I was expecting to pay shipping costs, just kick me the paypal and bam. The funds will be delivered. They look amazing, I like the design of the last one. They all look great, I just think that won looks the best.

Im super stoked for this. I cant wait to type up a review! 

[shmokes]

I also think the last one presents the best, though the top two, with all the almonds, look tastier.

[Nephasth]

Those look great! I can't wait to try one out! I'll let you know what it tastes like, yotsuya.

[yotsuya]

Those look great! I can't wait to try one out! I'll let you know what it tastes like, yotsuya.

May a piece of stray Molex get embedded in your pastry and ruin your experience! 

[crashwg]

Apple and pastry cream sounds tasty.

[knave]

I'm a fan of the chopped/sliced almond look so I vote for the top two...but they all look great.

[Dervacumen]

Keep the comments coming, and thanks!
A few things about the pics above.
The last picture was the cherry/cheese/almond paste pastry before adding the icing and almonds.  The first and second pictures were the apricot/cheese/almond paste after I added the icing and almonds.  The two varieties looked essentially the same before I added the icing/almonds.
Interesting that there's a preference for the unglazed over those with the glazing/almonds.  This is the type of feedback I crave.
I do agree, the almonds and glazing confuse the presentation significantly.  At least in picture form.  In person they seem more inviting.
I think I'll try a few with varying degrees of icing/almonds and solicit feedback.

yotsuya, you're in.  Gotta love the luv. 

[yotsuya]

Yay! I'd be happy to PayPal the $12 for shipping, if you need me to. Just let me know.

[Dervacumen]

Apple and pastry cream sounds tasty.

I made some apple filling and totally spaced on using it for this round.  It's insanely flavorful.  When I took the first bite my mouth and brain exploded.  I can't even explain what I felt, other than it piques the senses in a very good way.

I'm concerned about the pastry creme making it through the mail.  The problem is this.  If I ship with the creme just applied, it's going to go all over the place in the shipping container.  If I ship with the pastry/creme wrapped with plastic it really softens the dough, to the point that it doesn't have the right texture.  Maybe this is a good chance to try shipping with a small bit of info on how to crisp the pastry back up in the oven?

[Dervacumen]

A few have offered to help with shipping costs.  I honestly didn't consider this when I made my offer for free pastry.  I still expect this to be free - including shipping, because my payment is the feedback on the whole process, from arrival condition to taste, texture, presentation, etc.  I want brutally honest info, and for that I'm willing to pay a pretty penny.  If this is to go live and command the premium I expect, it has to be I-can't-stop-picking-at-it good.

I asked my wife about this issue this morning.  She said, "If they're offering, sure.  Why would you turn it away?"  I told her that wasn't the deal when I put the call out, and she understood.  Maybe if you all like these you'll give me a shout out when I go live.  For now, it's all free, all the time.  For feedback, and a lot of questions to follow.

[Dervacumen]

Someone teach me how to respond to multiple posts in my post, please?  So may things to respond to and I don't want to post individually.  Is there a quicker easy way other than opening up several posts, cutting snippets and adding them in to my post?

[HaRuMaN]

Someone teach me how to respond to multiple posts in my post, please?  So may things to respond to and I don't want to post individually.  Is there a quicker easy way other than opening up several posts, cutting snippets and adding them in to my post?

Nope, that's how we all do it.   

[Vigo]

if I get what you are asking, on the post reply page, you scroll down to the post you want to respond to and click the "insert quote" link. you can do this for multiple posts at a time.

[crashwg]

Maybe this is a good chance to try shipping with a small bit of info on how to crisp the pastry back up in the oven?

No objection here.

[Dervacumen]

Those look great! I can't wait to try one out! I'll let you know what it tastes like, yotsuya.

Glad to have you on board.

I also think the last one presents the best, though the top two, with all the almonds, look tastier.

I agree on on both counts.
Wow, this multi-posting thing is kinda neat.  Thanks for the training Vigo!  I vaguely remember that from a long time ago.  Sometimes it's the little things that count.

[HaRuMaN]

Ahh, learn something new every day...   

if I get what you are asking, on the post reply page, you scroll down to the post you want to respond to and click the "insert quote" link. you can do this for multiple posts at a time.

Someone teach me how to respond to multiple posts in my post, please?  So may things to respond to and I don't want to post individually.  Is there a quicker easy way other than opening up several posts, cutting snippets and adding them in to my post?

[Le Chuck]

if I get what you are asking, on the post reply page, you scroll down to the post you want to respond to and click the "insert quote" link. you can do this for multiple posts at a time.

More importantly you can (unethically) change what people said:

Wow, this multi-partner thing is kinda neat.  Thanks for the training Vigo!  I vaguely remember that from a long time ago.  Sometimes it's the little things that count.  Just don't tell the missus.

But only a real sleaze-ball would do that.  When do the pasties ship?  Not rushing you or anything 

[Vigo]

A few have offered to help with shipping costs.  I honestly didn't consider this when I made my offer for free pastry.  I still expect this to be free - including shipping, because my payment is the feedback on the whole process, from arrival condition to taste, texture, presentation, etc.  I want brutally honest info, and for that I'm willing to pay a pretty penny.  If this is to go live and command the premium I expect, it has to be I-can't-stop-picking-at-it good.

I asked my wife about this issue this morning.  She said, "If they're offering, sure.  Why would you turn it away?"  I told her that wasn't the deal when I put the call out, and she understood.  Maybe if you all like these you'll give me a shout out when I go live.  For now, it's all free, all the time.  For feedback, and a lot of questions to follow.

Any chance you will be doing a second round of testing? I would be happy to pay $12 to help you test if you are looking to further test and tweak things.

When do the pasties ship?  Not rushing you or anything 

Wait, you're testing pasties?? I thought everyone here was testing pastries. Have the missus do the testing. Post picks.

[Le Chuck]

Wait, you're testing pasties?? I thought everyone here was testing pastries. Have the missus do the testing. Post picks.

  well played!

[Nephasth]

Wait, you're testing pasties?? I thought everyone here was testing pastries. Have the missus do the testing. Post picks.

  well played!

Speaking of... what time from do you have in mind? Looks like I'll have a new address in about a month.

Those look great! I can't wait to try one out! I'll let you know what it tastes like, yotsuya.

May a piece of stray Molex get embedded in your pastry and ruin your experience! 

I could always use more parts!

[crashwg]

I could not help myself.