These almond-filled yeast rolls are a show-stopping treat. Fluffy, soft, and full of rich almond filling, they are perfect for both special occasions and everyday indulgence. The sweet almond filling, combined with the buttery dough, creates a wonderful contrast in textures. Brushed with a light sugar glaze and garnished with sliced almonds, these rolls are sure to impress with both their taste and appearance. Whether served warm or at room temperature, they are the perfect balance of sweetness and softness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe combines the best of two worlds: soft, yeast-based dough with a creamy, sweet almond filling. The dough itself is buttery and rich, yet light and fluffy, making it the perfect vehicle for the flavorful almond filling. The almond cream, made with ground almonds and powdered sugar, adds a nutty sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the soft dough. The sugar glaze applied right after baking gives these rolls a shiny finish and just the right amount of added sweetness. Best of all, they keep well for a few days, meaning you can enjoy them over time. The entire process, from kneading to baking, results in a luxurious, bakery-quality treat in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The Perfect Occasion
These almond-filled rolls are perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether it’s for a festive breakfast, an afternoon tea, or even as a special dessert, they will undoubtedly be a crowd-pleaser. The elegant appearance of the sliced almonds on top makes them a great choice for holiday celebrations, brunches, or any gathering where you want to serve something both beautiful and delicious. They are also ideal for gifting, as they stay fresh for days and offer a homemade touch that will be appreciated by anyone who receives them.
Decoration Tips
For an elegant presentation, sprinkle sliced almonds on top of the rolls before baking. This adds a nice crunch and visual appeal. Once the rolls are out of the oven and brushed with sugar syrup, the shiny glaze will enhance their golden-brown color. You could also dust them with a little powdered sugar for a snowy effect or add a few whole almonds in the center of each roll for a decorative twist. If you want an even more indulgent finish, drizzle some melted white chocolate over the top once the rolls have cooled.
Ingredients (Makes 15 Rolls)
For the Dough:
- 280 g all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp dry yeast
- 50 g melted butter
- 1 egg
- 50 g white sugar
- 125 ml heavy cream (or milk)
- Pinch of salt
For the Almond Filling:
- 100 g softened butter
- 100 g ground almonds (or almond flour)
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Sugar Syrup:
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup boiling water
For Decoration:
- Sliced almonds for topping
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a stand mixer, combine all of the dough ingredients—flour, yeast, melted butter, egg, sugar, heavy cream (or milk), and salt. Knead the mixture for about 10 minutes until you have a smooth, elastic dough. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for about 1 ½ hours until it doubles in size.
Step 2: Make the Almond Filling
While the dough is rising, prepare the almond filling. In a bowl, mix together the softened butter, ground almonds, powdered sugar, egg, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture forms a smooth, creamy paste. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Sugar Syrup
Dissolve the sugar in the boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Set the sugar syrup aside to cool in the refrigerator while the dough rises and bakes.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough and Fill
After the dough has finished rising, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the almond filling evenly over the surface of the dough. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut the dough into strips. Roll each strip into a swirl shape and place them on a lined baking sheet, leaving space between each roll for them to expand.
Step 5: Second Rise
Sprinkle the tops of the rolls with sliced almonds for decoration. Cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 6: Bake the Rolls
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) with the convection fan on. Once the rolls have finished their second rise, bake them for 25 minutes until they turn golden brown and puffed up.
Step 7: Brush with Sugar Syrup
Immediately after removing the rolls from the oven, brush them with the cooled sugar syrup to give them a beautiful, shiny glaze. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving.
Enjoy!
These almond-filled yeast rolls are buttery, soft, and bursting with sweet almond flavor. The delicate crunch from the almond topping, paired with the soft, sweet dough and rich filling, makes them the perfect treat for any occasion. Enjoy them fresh from the oven or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to savor over the next few days!