Almond Pastry Puffs

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

2 pastries (11 servings each)

Updated: Oct. 15, 2022
This tender, nutty almond pastry is one of my favorite brunch treats. It looks and tastes so special, people won’t believe you made it yourself. It’s good that the recipe makes two! —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania

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 large 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

  1. 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 12x3-in. rectangle.
  2. 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, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.
  3. Spread over rectangles. Bake at 400° until topping is lightly browned, 18-20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire racks.
  4. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, water and extract; beat until smooth. Spread over pastries; sprinkle with almonds.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 189 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.