Almond Croissants Recipes

Steps:

• Place dough on a lightly floured work surface; cover and let stand until butter is slightly softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Roll dough out to a 10-by-18-inch rectangle. Cut rectangle in half crosswise. Wrap one half with plastic wrap and transfer to refrigerator. Place remaining half on a large (about 18-by-25-inches) piece of parchment paper. Roll into a 16-by-20-inch rectangle, stopping to chill dough as necessary if butter becomes too soft; transfer to a large baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Transfer baking sheet to refrigerator and chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Repeat process with remaining piece of dough.
• Transfer one piece of dough to a lightly floured work surface so that one of the longer sides is facing you. Halve dough lengthwise to make two 8-by-20-inch rectangles.
• Using a pizza cutter, trim a scant 1/8 inch from top and bottom of each rectangle of dough. Working quickly, use the pizza cutter to mark 5-inch increments along the bottom (side closest to you) edge of each dough half. Working from left to right, measure 2 1/2 inches on top of each half and make a mark using the pizza cutter. Continue along the top edges marking at 5-inch increments until you reach the end of the dough.
• Using a ruler, cut dough into triangles with a 5-inch base, Discard scraps. You should have 14 triangles. Gently stretch triangles to make them 1 1/2 times their length. Roll 1/4-inch pieces almond paste into narrow log and place one piece at the base of each triangle.
• Working with 1 triangle of dough at a time, place dough triangle on work surface so that the point is furthest from you. Starting at the base, gently roll dough away from you, stretching the point as you go, with fingers or a rolling pin; secure point underneath roll. Curve ends away from you to make a crescent shape.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper; place 4 crescents on each prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 teaspoon water. Brush tops of crescents with egg mixture, reserving remaining egg mixture. Place 3 narrow drinking glasses upside-down between crescents; cover well with plastic wrap, making sure plastic does not touch dough. Let stand in a warm place until doubled in size and crescents feel hollow when gently touched, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Uncover and remove glasses from baking sheets; brush croissants lightly with remaining egg mixture (reserving remaining for second piece of dough). Transfer to oven and bake until puffed and golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat steps 3 through 9 with remaining piece of refrigerated dough.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Spread the sliced almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for about 5 minutes, or until the almonds just begin to turn golden brown.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the toasted almonds, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pulse until the almonds break down to medium crumbs.
• Add the butter to the food processor and continue processing until a smooth paste forms.
• Add the egg and 1 teaspoon almond extract and continue to process until the egg is fully incorporated.
• Transfer the almond mixture to a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 1 week.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a small pot over medium heat, combine the water and granulated sugar. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining teaspoon of almond extract, then remove the pot from the heat.
• Slice each croissant in half horizontally. Set the bottom halves of each croissant on the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush about 1 tablespoon of the almond simple syrup over the cut side of each croissant half.
• Spread about 2 tablespoons of the frangipane across the bottom half of each croissant, then cover with the top half.
• Spread another tablespoon of frangipane over the top of each croissant, then sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• Bake the croissants for 12-15 minutes, or until the frangipane begins to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly, then dust with the powdered sugar.
• Enjoy!