These puff pastry almond croissants are an indulgent and easy treat, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack. The buttery, flaky layers of puff pastry combined with a rich almond filling, topped with crunchy almond slices, make these croissants irresistible. This simplified version uses store-bought puff pastry, making it quick to prepare but still delivering on flavor and texture.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it’s a simplified take on classic almond croissants, using puff pastry for convenience while still maintaining that delicious almond filling. The combination of almond paste, cardamom, and vanilla gives the filling a rich, nutty flavor, while the puff pastry bakes into beautifully golden, crispy layers. This recipe is perfect for when you want a bakery-style treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
The Perfect Occasion
These almond croissants are perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunches, or an afternoon snack. They’re also a great addition to holiday breakfast spreads or as a special treat to serve with coffee. Since they come together quickly, they’re a wonderful option for last-minute entertaining or when you’re craving something sweet and satisfying.
Decoration Tips
For a beautiful, golden finish, brush the tops of the croissants with an egg yolk and cream mixture before baking. After baking, you can dust the croissants with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. If you want to add extra flavor and texture, consider drizzling the tops with melted chocolate or caramel after they’ve cooled slightly. The sliced almonds sprinkled on top not only add a nice crunch but also enhance the overall presentation.
Ingredients:
For the Puff Pastry:
- 1 package of puff pastry (store-bought, thawed if frozen)
For the Almond Filling:
- 110g butter, room temperature
- 50g almond paste (mandelmassa)
- 1.5 dl (3/4 cup) almond flour
- 1 egg white
- 1 dl (1/2 cup) sugar
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
Topping:
- Almond slices
Instructions:
- Prepare the Almond Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, almond paste, almond flour, egg white, sugar, cardamom, and vanilla. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Croissants: Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut the puff pastry in half horizontally. Spread half of the almond filling over one side of the dough, spreading it evenly. Place the other half of the puff pastry on top, pressing down gently to adhere the layers.
- Brush with Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and heavy cream. Brush the top layer of the puff pastry with the egg wash.
- Add the Remaining Filling: Spread the remaining almond filling evenly over the top of the puff pastry. Sprinkle the almond slices generously over the top of the filling.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Transfer the puff pastry to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the croissants warm for the best texture and flavor.
Enjoy your buttery, flaky, and almond-filled puff pastry croissants!