Sugar and Almond Pastries

Wednesday 4 September 2013


 Sugar and Almond Pastries


Todd and I are going to take a little trip into Wales today, a day trip as it were.  We are supposed to be having a beautiful day weather-wise and it may well be one of the last few we get before the weather turns.  

You can never tell over here.  I think it was Bob Hope who said about our weather . . . "Don't like the British weather?  Wait five minutes!"

Sugar and Almond Pastries

I recently bought a little booklet at the grocery store, entitled Delicious Pastries.  I fear I have been in love with puff pastry my whole life.

This love has been fueled by trips made to my French Grandmaman's home where we would feast on caramel filled puff pastry squares dolloped with thick sweet cream . . . mmmm . . . so good. That was the first time I saw people eating cream dolloped onto pastry.

Sugar and Almond Pastries

I don't generally make my own puff pastry.  If you buy a good quality all butter brand, there is no need to do so. It's as good as any you can make.  

There was a recipe in the booklet that I had been eyeballing since I got it home for some  delicious looking Sugar and Almond Pastries and I thought they would be perfect for our picnic.

Sugar and Almond Pastries

As well, they appeared very quick and easy to make, and y'all know how lazy I am, lol.  The filling is a very simple almond frangipane filling.

It is rich with egg yolks, melted butter, sugar and almonds (of course!)  Two different kinds, both ground and flaked.

Sugar and Almond Pastries

You may think they look a bit strange and you would be right.   I didn't seal the edges of my pastries well enough and they blew open as they baked.

Which isn't really as big a disaster as you might think. They just aren't very perfect looking, but I can assure you they taste fabulous all the same.

Sugar and Almond Pastries

So why am I showing you them if they aren't perfect???  For several reasons.  One . . . you need to know that not everything I touch turns to gold.  

And two . . . it's a sound recipe and They taste fabulous, no matter how they look.  So there. 

Sugar and Almond Pastries

This is how they are supposed to look. ☺

Sugar and Almond Pastries


*Sugar & Almond Pastries*
Makes 4   

You can add a handful of sultanas or other chopped dried fruit to the almond filling if you wish.  Just remember to dampen your edges well when you are folding them up.  

For the filling:
2 large free range egg yolks
75g caster sugar (generous 1/3 cup, 6 1/2 TBS)
pinch salt
50g butter, melted (3 1/2 TBS)
few drops almond essence
75g ground almonds (14 TBS)
50g flaked almonds (generous 1/2 cup)  

250g of ready to roll puff pastry, all butter (about 1/2 pound)  

You will also need:
25g butter, melted (1 3/4 TBS)
25g caster sugar (3 TBS)  

Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6.  Line a large baking tray with baking parchment.  Set aside.  


Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together for the filling, until light and thick.  Whisk in the salt.   Whisk in the melted butter a bit at a time, along with the almond essence.   Stir in the ground and flaked almonds gently.  Set aside.  

Roll out your pastry on a lightly floured surface to a square 12 inches by 12 inches in size.  Cut into 4 equal squares (6 inches).  Brush the outer edges with some cold water.   Divide the almond mixture equally into four amounts, dolloping it into the centre of each square.  Bring up the corners of the pastry to the centre to meet, covering the almond filling completely.  Press the edges together firmly to seal.  

Arrange the squares on the prepared baking sheet.  Bake in the heated oven for 20 minutes, until golden and starting to brown.  Remove from the oven and brush immediately with the melted butter and sprinkle with the caster sugar.   Leave to cool on the baking sheet.  Serve warm or cold.  Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

5 comments

  1. Who needs perfect looking Marie...just so long as they taste good.
    These look so good.
    Have a lovely day in Wales...say Hi for me ;D
    We are really enjoying some fantastic weather up here too. Not sure how long for though so we ate outside last night.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Perfect or not perfect....These look delicious! I have always been a sucker for pastries with creamy fillings and sugar!

    Hope you are getting the same gorgeous weather we are ATM!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love almond pastries...it is such a treat when I get to have one...making them would be the answer but I fear that I would eat too many! Doesn't matter...I will try them anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Who cares what they look like, I WANT ONE! Oh my yum, they sound so good!! And still look delicious too. I want to make some, but I have a feeling they would be dangerous... And that I would eat them all myself... Maybe I could make some with my mom when I visit in October... You're awesome :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you so do not be shy!


BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT OR RATING, ASK YOURSELF:
Did you make the recipe as directed? Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.

Is this comment helpful to other readers? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Remember that this website is run by a real person.

Are you here to complain about ads? Please keep in mind that I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising helps to defray my cost of doing so, and allows me to continue to post regular fresh content.

Thanks so much for your understanding! I appreciate you!