Danish Brunsviger Recipe | Easy and melts in your mouth

Imagine biting into a warm, fluffy Danish brunsviger, with its golden crust topped by a rich caramelized layer of buttery brown sugar. This Danish brunsviger recipe brings a classic cake from Fyn, Denmark, right to your kitchen – only we’re giving it a special twist by incorporating sourdough discard. This brunsviger is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with the extra depth and subtle tang from the sourdough adding a uniquely irresistible flavor to every bite.

Brunsviger is known for its tender, pillowy dough topped with a sweet, sticky glaze that makes it a favorite for birthdays, picnics, or a cozy weekend treat. With the addition of sourdough discard, we’re introducing a new dimension to the traditional recipe, honoring the essence of brunsviger while enhancing its flavor with a subtle complexity that only sourdough can bring.

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The Origins of Danish brunsviger – A Beloved Danish Classic

Brunsviger is a true Danish treat with deep roots in the culinary traditions of the island of Fyn. Often referred to as “the cake of Fyn,” this beloved pastry has been a staple for generations. In Denmark, it’s commonly served as a birthday morning treat, especially popular among children who eagerly dig into its sticky, caramelized topping with delight. This simple but decadent pastry is cherished across Denmark for its comforting sweetness and nostalgic flavor.

Its history dates back to the 19th century, with roots tied to Braunschweig in Germany. The Danish name “brunsviger” actually derives from the German “Braunschweiger” about the city. German bakers likely brought similar recipes to Denmark, adapted to Danish tastes over time, incorporating more local flavors and ingredients. Today, brunsviger is an irreplaceable part of Danish culture and is often found in bakeries across the country, but there’s nothing quite like making it fresh at home.

While many versions of brunsviger are made with simple yeast dough, adding a sourdough starter takes this traditional recipe up a notch. The sourdough improves the cake’s texture, introduces a subtle depth that enhances the caramelized topping, and complements the buttery, slightly salty dough. This fusion of traditional and sourdough elements gives you a taste of Denmark’s baking history with a little extra character and flair.

The Dough and Topping: What Makes Danish Brunsviger Recipe Special

The dough in a brunsviger is soft and airy, almost like sweet bread. This recipe combines flour, milk, eggs, sugar, butter, salt, yeast, and half a cup of sourdough starter. The sourdough discard may seem like a small addition, making this recipe unique. It introduces a subtle tang that deepens the dough’s flavor profile and works harmoniously with the rich topping.

You can follow my method if you don’t have a sourdough starter. It’s super easy.

We include a touch of commercial yeast to ensure the dough rises perfectly and achieves the characteristic lightness. The yeast and sourdough starter combination provides structure and flavor, resulting in a pillowy and full-of-life dough. The butter in the dough enhances the richness and moisture, while the egg adds a delicate structure that pairs well with the topping’s weight.

Weight	Ingredient	Baker's Percentage
360g	all-purpose flour	100%
10g	salt	2.8%
25g	sugar, granulated	6.9%
3.5g	yeast	1%
210g	sourdough starter (100% hydration)	58.3%
85g	butter, salted	23.6%
80g	whole milk	22.2%
100g	egg, whole	27.8%

The topping is where brunsviger becomes genuinely decadent. Made with dark brown sugar, salted butter, vanilla sugar, and cinnamon, this rich mixture melts into a sticky, caramel-like layer as it bakes. The dark brown sugar brings a deep molasses flavor, while the butter creates that unforgettable gooey texture. As it bakes, the topping seeps into the dough, creating pockets of sweet, buttery flavor that melt every bite in your mouth.

Weight	Ingredient	Baker's Percentage
200g	butter, salted	55.6%
300g	dark brown sugar	83.3%
7g	vanilla sugar	1.9%
3g	cinnamon, ground	0.8%

If you want to play around with the formula, you can do that in my Bread Calculator. Also, a version without discard.

Why This Danish Brunsviger Recipe is a Must-Try

This sourdough-enhanced brunsviger is more than just a cake – it’s an experience. The tender, buttery dough, and the caramelized brown sugar topping create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Adding sourdough starter to the dough introduces complexity that brings out the best in this traditional Danish favorite. The result is a brunsviger that’s both familiar and exciting, a cake that pays homage to Danish tradition while embracing the nuances of sourdough baking.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newcomer to Danish pastries, this brunsviger recipe is worth your time. With every slice, you’ll taste the warmth of Danish hospitality and the joy of baking something from scratch that’s truly delicious. Imagine sharing a warm piece of brunsviger with family or friends, bringing a bit of Denmark’s culinary heritage to your table – a moment of simple pleasure that’s hard to beat.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your baking and indulge in one of Denmark’s most cherished cakes, this brunsviger recipe with sourdough is the perfect choice. The rich topping and airy dough with a hint of sourdough will make this a memorable bake that might become your new favorite. Give it a try, and you’ll understand why brunsviger holds such a special place in Danish hearts.

Please share this Danish brunsviger recipe on social media

This is my Danish brunsviger recipe. Please consider sharing it with like-minded cake lovers on social media if you like it.

If you make it and post it on Instagram, please tag me as @foodgeek.dk so I can see it. That would make me very happy.