Almond Pastry Puffs Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 cup cold water, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 eggs
• FROSTING:
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 teaspoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2/3 cup chopped almonds, toasted

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour and salt; cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons cold water; stir with a fork until blended. Shape dough into a ball; divide in half. Place dough 3 in. apart on an ungreased baking sheet; pat each into a 12-in. x 3-in. rectangle.
• In a large saucepan, bring remaining butter and water to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in extract and remaining flour until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.
• Spread over rectangles. Bake at 400° for 18-20 minutes or until topping is lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire racks.
• For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, water and extract; beat until smooth. Spread over pastries; sprinkle with almonds. Yield: 2 pastries (11 servings each).

Almond Pastry Puffs published in Taste of Home October/November 2006, p41