Almond Croissants - Flaky and Buttery French Pastry
Almond croissants are a decadent French pastry, perfect for breakfast or a luxurious snack. These flaky, buttery croissants are filled with a sweet almond paste and topped with toasted almonds for a delightful crunch. Whether you’re using day-old croissants or making them from scratch, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a bakery-worthy treat. Serve them warm with coffee or tea, and you’ll feel like you’re in a Parisian café.
Ingredients
- 6 large plain croissants (preferably day-old)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the almond filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the almond flour, 1 egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until combined.
Slice the croissants. Carefully slice each croissant horizontally, leaving one edge intact to create a "pocket" for the filling.
Fill the croissants. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the almond filling inside each croissant. Close the croissant and spread a thin layer of the almond mixture on top.
Top with almonds. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the top of each croissant, pressing them gently into the almond filling.
Bake. Place the croissants on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the croissants are golden and the almond filling is set.
Dust with powdered sugar. Once the croissants are out of the oven, let them cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Recipe tips
Day-old croissants work best because they absorb the almond filling better and hold their shape when baked. Almond extract is optional but adds an extra depth of almond flavor. Use it sparingly, as it's quite potent. You can freeze the assembled almond croissants before baking. Just pop them into the oven from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
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