Description
Delicate French sweet almond pastry blends delightful textures and classic European flavors. Pastry chefs craft this elegant dessert with precision, highlighting almonds’ rich, nutty essence while creating a memorable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (100 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (100 g) almond flour
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tbsps sliced almonds (optional)
- 2 tbsps powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Whip softened butter and sugar until luxuriously creamy, then integrate eggs individually, ensuring smooth blending. Incorporate almond extract, almond flour, and all-purpose flour to create a silky, uniform almond cream.
- Pastry Construction: On a floured surface, unfurl puff pastry sheets and slice into four precise squares. Centrally position a generous almond cream dollop on each pastry section.
- Folding Technique: Employ elegant folding methods – either craft triangular shapes by connecting diagonal corners or create sophisticated envelope-like configurations by joining opposite edges. Meticulously seal pastry borders using fork crimps to prevent filling escape.
- Pre-Baking Setup: Arrange pastry parcels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining strategic spacing. Brush surfaces with beaten egg for a luminous golden sheen, optionally adorning with sliced almonds for textural intrigue.
- Baking Process: Slide the baking sheet into an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C). Allow pastries to transform into golden, puffy delicacies over 20-25 minutes. Once baked, permit a brief cooling interval before finishing with a delicate powdered sugar dusting.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for a perfectly smooth almond cream texture that prevents grainy consistency.
- Precise Egg Incorporation: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly to create a stable emulsion that guarantees a silky, uniform almond cream.
- Prevent Pastry Sticking: Use minimal flour when rolling out puff pastry to maintain its delicate layers and prevent toughening the dough.
- Seal Edges Carefully: Press pastry edges firmly with a fork to prevent filling from leaking, ensuring a clean and professional-looking final product.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg