Homemade Bear Claws – Flaky Pastry Recipe
Flaky, buttery, and filled with sweet almond paste, Bear Claws are a classic pastry that's perfect for breakfast or a mid-day snack. These delightful pastries are made with puff pastry dough, shaped into a bear claw-like appearance, and filled with a rich almond filling. Topped with sliced almonds and a light drizzle of icing, they make for an irresistible treat that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
-
For the Dough
- 1 package of puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds (for topping)
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For the Almond Filling
- 1 cup almond paste
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg white
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Prepare the almond filling. In a bowl, combine almond paste, sugar, egg white, almond extract, and flour. Mix until smooth and set aside.
Prepare the dough. Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 6 rectangles.
Fill the pastries. Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of almond filling onto one half of each rectangle. Fold the other half over the filling and press the edges to seal.
Shape the bear claws. Using a sharp knife, cut 3-4 small slits along the sealed edge of each pastry, then gently spread the cuts apart to form the "claws".
Apply the egg wash. Brush the tops of the pastries with beaten egg, then sprinkle with sliced almonds.
Bake. Place the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Prepare the icing. While the pastries bake, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Finish and serve. Let the pastries cool slightly, then drizzle with icing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe tips
Make sure the puff pastry stays cold while working with it to get the best flakiness. If it starts to warm up, place it back in the fridge for a few minutes. For extra flavor, add a bit of cinnamon to the almond filling. You can substitute almond paste with marzipan if you prefer a sweeter filling. Don’t skip the egg wash—it helps give the pastries their golden shine and allows the almonds to stick.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
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