Almond Croissant Recipe Barefoot Contessa

BEST ALMOND CROISSANT RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, water, and almond flour in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
• Remove from the heat and let steep for 1 hour.
• Strain the syrup into a small bowl or covered container. Add ¼ teaspoon almond extract (if using), and stir to combine. Set aside until ready to assemble croissants.
• Sift the almond flour into a medium bowl. Break up any lumps remaining in the sieve and add to the bowl. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk together.
• Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. On medium-low, warming the bowl as needed, until the butter is the consistency of mayonnaise and holds a peak when the paddle is lifted.
• Sift in the powdered sugar and mix on the lowest setting until incorporated, then increase the speed to low and mix until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Add the almond mixture in 2 additions, pulsing to combine and then mixing at low speed for 15 to 30 seconds after each one. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to incorporate any dry ingredients that may settle.
• Add the eggs and mix on low speed until combined and smooth, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a covered container. Press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours or place in the freezer until chilled but not frozen about 30 minutes. The cream can be refrigerated up to 4 days.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Spoon the cooled almond cream into a pastry bag fitted with a ½-inch plain tip or large re-sealable plastic bag with the tip cup off (after filling). Spread the almonds in a shallow bowl.
• Cut the croissants horizontally in half, as if slicing them open to make sandwiches. Brush the cut-side of each one with 1 ½ teaspoon of almond syrup.
• Pipe 2 to 3 tablespoons almond cream onto the bottom half of each croissant, and spread it evenly with a small offset spatula. Place the top halves back on and gently press together.
• Pipe about 2 tablespoons almond cream on top of each croissant and spread evenly. If using larger croissants, feel free to add more almond cream into the filling and on top of the croissant.
• Dip the tops of the croissants into the almonds, coating the cream generously, and press down to compact. Arrange the croissants on the prepared sheet pan.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (depending on the size of croissants), until the nuts are golden brown. Don't worry if some of the almond cream drips on the paper. Set the pan on a rack to cool thoroughly.

ALMOND CROISSANTS RECIPE (FRENCH BAKERY STYLE)

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 2 Tbsp sugar and 4 Tbsp rum. Bring to a simmer for a minute and stir until the sugar dissolves then remove from heat and let cool to room temp.
• If using whole almonds: combine 1/2 cup sugar, 2/3 cup almonds and 1/8 tsp salt in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until finely ground. Add the butter, and mix again until well blended. Add in the eggs one by one, and process on high speed until creamy and fluffy.
• If using almond meal or almond flour: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup almond meal and 1/8 tsp salt. Mix until well incorporated, then blend in the butter. Finally add the eggs 1 at a time and mix on med/high speed until the whole mixture is creamy and fluffy with a frosting-like consistency.
• Preheat the oven to 350° F . Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• After your croissants have been on the counter drying out overnight, and you're ready to use them, slice each croissant horizontally like you would for a sandwich.
• Work with each croissant one by one: dip it into the syrup, coating both sides and the ends well. The croissant should be quite moist, but not soaking wet. Just dip it once on each side.
• Arrange the croissants on a baking dish, cut side up. Spread about 2 Tbsp of almond filling on the bottom half of each croissant.
• Place the top halves on and spread about 1 Tbsp of almond filling over the top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• Bake on the center rack for 15 to 18 minutes,or until the cream is golden. Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature or just warm. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. These are best served the same day they are made.

CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Set the custard mixture aside. Slice the croissants in half horizontally. In a 10 by 15 by 2 1/2-inch oval baking dish, distribute the bottoms of the sliced croissants, then add the raisins, then the tops of the croissants (brown side up), being sure the raisins are between the layers of croissants or they will burn while baking. Pour the custard over the croissants and allow to soak for 10 minutes, pressing down gently.
• Place the pan in a larger one filled with 1-inch of hot water. Cover the larger pan with aluminum foil, tenting the foil so it doesn't touch the pudding. Cut a few holes in the foil to allow steam to escape. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 40 to 45 more minutes or until the pudding puffs up and the custard is set. Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MILK CHOCOLATE AND ALMOND CROISSANTS

Steps:

• Special equipment: pizza cutter or kitchen shears, ruler
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Place 1 sheet thawed puff pastry on the work surface like a sheet of paper or portrait (not horizontal or landscape). If the puff pastry is very sticky, very lightly flour the work surface. Using a pizza cutter or kitchen shears, cut the puff pastry in half, widthwise. Using a ruler as a guide, make an indentation at 2-inch intervals (for the base) across the bottom of each puff pastry half. Cut each half into 8 triangles, with the base of each triangle measuring 2 inches. (They will be very long isosceles triangles.) You'll end up discarding the 2 end pieces to get the most out of your puff pastry piece. This sheet of triangles will be reserved for the chocolate croissants. Repeat the cutting for the second puff pastry sheet that will be used for the almond croissants.
• For the chocolate croissants: Place 1 chocolate piece just above the 2-inch edge of 1 pastry triangle, folding the dough over the chocolate as you tightly roll up the dough, enclosing the chocolate. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry and chocolate. Place the pastry rolls on the baking sheet, seam-side down. Cover the croissants with plastic wrap and place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the dough firms up. (You can make these croissants 1 day ahead up to this point.)
• Just before baking, remove the croissants from the refrigerator, brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with sugar.
• For the almond croissants: Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon almond paste, shaped like a small log, just above the 2-inch edge of 1 pastry triangle, folding the dough over the almond paste as you tightly roll up the dough, enclosing the almond paste. Repeat with remaining puff pastry triangles and almond paste. Place the pastry rolls on a baking sheet, seam-side down. Cover the croissants with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the dough firms up. (You can make these croissants 1 day ahead up to this point.)
• Just before baking, remove the croissants from the refrigerator, brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with sugar and sliced almonds.
• Bake until the pastries are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Cook's Note: These croissants are so easy and so good you'll want to stuff them with practically everything. They are perfect as is-chocolate croissants and almond croissants, but if you're feeling a little adventurous combine the chocolate and almond paste (scale back just a touch on the almond paste) in one croissant for a decadent treat. But don't stop there, you can stuff these mouthwatering minis with savory fillings too. Ham and cheese croissants are crazy good!

ALMOND CROISSANT FRENCH TOAST WITH ALMOND BUTTER SYRUP

Steps:

• For the butter: Heat the butter in a heavy-duty saucepan over very low heat until it melts. Simmer gently until the foam rises to the top of the melted butter. Remove from heat and skim off the foam with a spoon.
• Line a mesh strainer with a few layers of cheesecloth or gauze and place over a bowl. Carefully pour the warm butter through the cheesecloth-lined strainer into a bowl, leaving behind any solids from the bottom of the pan.
• For the syrup: In a small saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter until it begins to shimmer. Add the almonds and saute until lightly golden brown. Add the syrup and almond extract and cook until heated through. Keep warm.
• For the French toast: In a small baking dish, whisk together the eggs, yolks and sugar until smooth. Add the half-and-half, almond extract, vanilla extract and salt and whisk until combined.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the clarified butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Dip one of the croissants in the egg mixture for 10 seconds, flip and soak another 10 seconds. Carefully put the soaked croissant into the hot butter cut-side down and cook until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 1 1/2 minutes. Flip and cook until the bottom is crisp and golden brown as well, about 1 minute. Repeat for the remaining croissants.
• Serve hot with the almond butter syrup. Garnish with mint leaves and sprinkle confectioners' sugar over the top.

ALMOND CROISSANTS

Steps:

• Make the frangipane: Place the almond flour in a medium skillet and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and toasty smelling, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• In a medium bowl, combine the butter and brown sugar, and beat with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Switch to a whisk and whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Whisk in the almond extract, then add the flour, salt and toasted almond flour, and whisk until smooth and satiny. Set the mixture aside.
• Make the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, rum and 1/3 cup/80 milliliters water in a small saucepan and heat over medium, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Assemble: Arrange a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 350 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Use a pastry brush to soak the cut sides of the croissant halves liberally with the rum syrup. (Use most of it or all, if the croissants are very stale.) Spread the bottom halves with half of the frangipane, dividing evenly and spreading all the way to the edges. Place the top halves over the bottom halves, then spread the remaining frangipane over the tops of the croissants. Sprinkle the sliced almonds over top, dividing evenly.
• Place the croissants on the baking sheet, spacing evenly, and bake until the almonds are toasted and the frangipane is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ALMOND CROISSANT

Steps:

• In a bowl or medium measuring cup, combine the water and yeast. Let it sit in a warm place for 10-15 minutes or until the yeast dissolves.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Then pour in the warm yeast water.
• Using the hook attachment, mix the dough on medium speed until it begins to take shape. Toss in 1/2 cup of softened butter and continue mixing on medium high speed until the dough is smooth and well rounded.
• Transfer the dough into a bowl greased with oil. Lightly grease the dough with oil as well. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 2 hours or until it triples in size.
• Meanwhile prepare the butter slab. Start by cutting out 2 large sheets of parchment paper. Trace an 8x12 inch rectangle on each sheet. Place 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) sliced butter in the middle of one sheet. Have the traced side down (you don't want to get any pencil marks on the butter).
• Place the second sheet on top (traced side up). Using a rolling pin, roll out the butter to the edges of the traced rectangle. Then place on a flat surface in the refrigerator.
• Once the dough is done rising, deflate it onto a floured surface and roll it out to a 28x14 inch rectangle. Fold over 2/3 of the left corner then bring in the right corner so it covers the other edge but doesn't quite reach the other side.
• Starting from the shorter edge fold the dough into thirds. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6-8 hours (or overnight).
• In a bowl, combine 1 egg, 3/4 cup butter, and 1/2 tsp almond extract. Then blend in the 2 1/2 cups almond flour, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, and 1 tsp corn starch. This will be the almond paste.
• Gently deflate the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out to a 25 x 9 inch rectangle. Place the chilled butter slab on the right half of the dough leaving at least 1 inch margin around the edges.
• Fold over the left (unbuttered) half and roll the dough out to a 30x12 inch rectangle. It helps to spread the butter by pressing down with the rolling pin along with rolling it out.
• Fold over 2/3 of the left corner then bring in the right corner so both edges touch.
• Roll the dough out to a 30x12 inch rectangle. Fold it in half like a book. Once its folded in half the dimensions should be 15 x 12 inches. Roll it out to 30 x 12 again.
• Then fold it into thirds. If the butter begins to melt, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. The size of the dough should be 12 x 8 inches before wrapping it in plastic wrap.
• Cut the chilled dough in half. Rewrap 1 halve and place it back in the refrigerator for later use. Roll the unwrapped dough into a 30x10 inch rectangle and cut out 9 triangles. Each triangle should be about 5 inches at the wide end, and about 1 inch at the narrow end.
• I like to make small slit in the middle of the wider ends so the croissant folds nicer, but thats totally optional. Fill the wider end of the triangles with 1 heaping tablespoon of the almond paste. Then roll the triangles toward the narrow end as you slightly pull the pointed end away.
• Place the croissants onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rise in room temperature for 1-2 hours or until they double in size. Do not put them in a warm place to speed up the rising process. You don't want the butter to melt.
• Brush each croissant with egg wash and bake at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
• Mix the left over almond paste with a splash of milk and spread it over each croissant. Sprinkle sliced almonds over each croissant and bake for another 5 minutes at 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Once their cooled, dust powdered sugar over the top of each croissant.
• Remove the second half of the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out to a 30x10 inch rectangle. Cut out 9 triangles and repeat steps 14-17.

ALMOND CROISSANT OATMEAL

Steps:

• Toasted sliced almonds and berries, for garnish (optional)
• For the almond cream: Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Combine the melted butter, almonds, cream, sugar, honey, almond extract and salt in a food processor. Process into a smooth, creamy paste.
• For the oatmeal: Combine the almond milk or water and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the oats, reduce to low heat and let simmer gently until the oats start to thicken, about 5 minutes, or until oats reach your preferred level of thickness
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of the almond cream. Divide the oatmeal between two bowls, drizzle with additional almond cream, as desired, and garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds and berries, if desired.

TWICE-BAKED ALMOND CROISSANTS

Steps:

• Make syrup:
• Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Split vanilla bean with a sharp small knife and scrape seeds into sugar mixture. Add pod and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Simmer 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in orange juice.
• Make almond cream:
• Pulse almonds with 2 tablespoons sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add almond paste and pulse until finely chopped.
• Beat together butter, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, almond mixture, and a pinch of salt with an electric mixer at medium speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk together egg, rum, and extract in a small bowl and gradually add to almond cream, beating until combined well. Chill, covered, until set, about 1 hour.
• Assemble croissants:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut croissants in half horizontally. Brush insides of croissants (both top and bottom halves) with some orange syrup. Spread 2 tablespoons almond cream on each bottom half, mounding in centers, and cover with tops. Spread 1 tablespoon almond cream on each top. Transfer croissants to a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons toasted almonds on each.
• Bake croissants in middle of oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly, then dust with confectioners sugar.