Description
Provençal almond pastry delights with delicate layers of buttery puff pastry and rich almond cream. Crisp edges and smooth filling create a classic French dessert perfect for afternoon tea or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed
- ½ cup (100 g, 3.5 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 g, 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (100 g, 3.5 oz) almond flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 tbsps sliced almonds
- 2 tbsps powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375F (190C) and layer a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a pristine staging ground for delicate pastry crafting.
- Cream Composition: Whip butter and sugar into a cloud-like emulsion, progressively integrating eggs until the mixture achieves a velvety, homogeneous texture.
- Flour Integration: Delicately fold almond extract, almond flour, and all-purpose flour into the cream, stirring until a smooth, luxurious consistency emerges.
- Pastry Shaping: Unfurl puff pastry on a flour-dusted surface, segmenting into four precise squares. Center a dollop of almond cream on each section, then artfully fold corners inward, crimping edges with a fork to seal the delectable filling.
- Embellishment and Preparation: Lavish the pastry surfaces with an egg wash, sprinkle with sliced almonds, and position on the prepared baking sheet with strategic spacing.
- Baking Transformation: Nestle the sheet into the heated oven, allowing the pastries to metamorphose for 20-25 minutes until they radiate a lustrous, golden-brown complexion.
- Finishing Touch: Extract from the oven, grant a brief resting period, then gracefully dust with powdered sugar, elevating the pastries to a pinnacle of culinary elegance.
Notes
- Maintain Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal cream consistency, preventing grainy texture.
- Prevent Pastry Sogginess: Keep puff pastry chilled until use and avoid overloading with cream to maintain crisp, flaky layers.
- Even Baking Technique: Rotate baking sheet halfway through cooking to guarantee uniform golden-brown coloration across all pastries.
- Dietary Adaptation: Substitute almond flour with gluten-free alternatives for celiac-friendly version, and use plant-based butter for vegan option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 322
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg