Almond Puff Food

DANISH ALMOND PUFF

Steps:

• Place 1 cup of flour in a medium bowl. Mix in butter using a fork or a pastry blender. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of water over, and stir with a fork until dough comes together. Divide into two balls. Pat dough into two long strips on an ungreased baking sheet, about 14 inches long and 3 inches wide. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of butter and 1 cup of water. Bring to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon of almond extract and remove from the heat. Immediately stir in 1 cup of flour until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan. Gradually stir in the eggs until well blended. Divide evenly, and spread over the two crusts on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 1 hour. Allow to cool almost to room temperature before frosting.
• To make the frosting, mix together the confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon of almond extract and a splash of milk in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk if necessary to make a pourable glaze. Drizzle over the Danish, and decorate with candy sprinkles if desired.

ALMOND DANISH PUFF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Cut 1/2 cup softened butter into 1 cup flour, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until particles are size of coarse crumbs.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons water over mixture; mix with fork.
• Gather pastry into ball; divide in half.
• Pat each half into rectangle, 12x3 inches, about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Heat remaining 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to rolling boil in 2-quart saucepan; remove from heat.
• Quickly stir in almond extract and 1 cup flour.
• Stir vigorously over low heat about 1 minute or until mixture forms a ball; remove from heat.
• Add eggs; beat until smooth. Spread half of the topping over each rectangle.
• Bake about 1 hour or until topping is crisp and brown; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.
• Spread with Creamy Almond Glaze; sprinkle with almonds.
• Creamy Almond Glaze:
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 2-3 tbsp butter, softened; 1/2 to 1 tsp almond extract; 1-2 tbsp warm water or milk.
• Mix all ingredients until smooth and spreadable and glaze the Danish puff.

ALMOND PUFF LOAF

Steps:

• FIRST LAYER: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the butter, flour, and salt (if you're using it), working the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or fork, your fingers, or a mixer.
• Mix until everything is crumbly, then stir in the water. The dough will become cohesive, though not smooth.
• Divide the dough in half; if you're using a scale, each half will weigh about 4 5/8 ounces.
• Wet your hands, and shape each piece of this wet dough into a rough log.
• Grease a baking sheet or sheets that'll allow you to stretch and pat the logs into 11 x 3-inch rectangles on the sheet, leaving at least 4 inches (but preferably 6 inches) between them, and 2 inches on each side. These puff up in the oven (hence the name), and you need to leave them room for expansion.
• SECOND LAYER: In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil.
• Stir until the butter melts, then add the flour (and salt, if you're using it) all at once.
• Stir the mixture with a spoon till it thickens, begins to steam, and leaves the sides of the pan; this will happen very quickly.
• Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl, or the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat it at medium speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just to cool it down a bit.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat until the dough loses its "slimy" look, and each egg is totally absorbed.
• Mix in the almond extract.
• Divide the batter in half.
• Spread half the batter over one of the dough strips on the pan, covering it completely.
• Repeat with the remaining batter and dough.
• With a spatula (or your wet fingers) spread the batter until it completely covers the entire bottom layer of dough. Smooth it out as best you can.
• Bake the pastry in a preheated 350°F oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until it's a deep golden brown.
• Remove it from the oven, and transfer each pastry to a wire rack (a giant spatula works well here).
• TOPPING: Spread each warm pastry with about 1/3 cup of jam or preserves. (Any flavor is fine, but our favorites are raspberry and apricot.)
• Sprinkle the toasted almonds atop the jam. By this time, your beautifully puffed pastries are probably starting to sink; don't worry, this is all part of the plan.
• ICING: Stir together the sugar, vanilla, and enough milk or water to form a thick but "drizzlable" icing. Drizzle the icing atop the pastries.
• Cut into squares or strips to serve.

ALMOND PUFF

Steps:

• In a bowl, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add water and toss with a fork. Shape dough into a ball. Pat into two 12-in. x 3-in. strips, drop 2 in. apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Set aside. , In a large saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil over medium heat. Add flour all at once; stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; stir in extract. Let stand 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. Spread over crusts, covering completely., Bake at 325° for 50-55 minutes or until puffed and light browned. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. In a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, extract and enough water to achieve spreading consistency. Spread over warm puffs. Sprinkle with almonds. Cut into 1-in. strips. Refrigerate leftovers.

FRUITY ALMOND PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place the sheet of puff pastry in the center of a baking sheet fitted with parchment. Top the puff with another sheet of parchment. Place a baking sheet directly on top of the parchment on top of the puff pastry. This weighs down the puff as it bakes and makes it uniform.
• Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake until the puff pastry is partially cooked and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and take the baking sheet and top sheet of parchment off the pastry.
• While the pastry is baking, make the frangipane. In the bowl of the food processor, pulse the almonds until they become like a coarse, wet powder. Add the sugar, butter, flour, almond extract, cinnamon and egg and pulse until it forms a paste.
• Gently spread the frangipane in an even layer over the puff pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border, and place the baking sheet back in the center of the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Bake until the frangipane and pastry are browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• In a small pot, warm the jam over low heat until it melts slightly, about 30 seconds.
• Transfer the puff to a flat surface and use a serrated knife to gently cut into 9 even pieces. Arrange the pieces close together on a serving platter as if they make a whole tart. Drizzle some of the warmed jam over the top edges of the pastry and frangipane to create a "glue" for the raspberries to stick to the pastry. Arrange the raspberries over the top of each piece. Drizzle the remaining jam gently over the raspberries and finish with a sprinkle of sugar for added texture. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate the leftovers (if there are any!!).

ALMOND PUFF

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, cut the 1/2 cup of margarine into the 1 cup of flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cold water one tablespoon at a time. Using your hands or a fork, stir until the dough can form a ball. Divide dough in half. Roll or press each half into a 12x3 inch rectangle. Place them 3 inches apart onto an unprepared cookie sheet.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• In a saucepan, bring the 1/2 cup of margarine, and 1 cup of water to a rolling boil. Lower heat and stir in the flour immediately with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir vigorously until the dough forms a tight ball. Remove from heat. Stir in eggs one at a time, then stir in the almond extract. Spread equally onto both rectangles. Bake for 10 minutes before lowering the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Continue to cook for 15 to 20 more minutes. The top should be crispy and brown.
• To make the glaze, beat the confectioners' sugar together with the melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the almond puff when cool, and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Cut into strips and serve.

ALMOND CREAM PUFF RING

Steps:

• About 3 hours before serving:
• In a 2 quart pan over medium heat, heat water, butter, and salt until butter melts and mixture boils. Remove from heat.
• With wooden spoon, vigorously stir in flour all at once until mixture forms a ball and leaves sides of pan. Add eggs to flour mix, one at a time, beating after each addition, until mixture is smooth and satiny. Cool mixture slightly.
• Preheat oven to 400. Lightly grease and flour a large cookie sheet. Using a 7 inch plate as a guide, trace a circle in the flour on the cookie sheet. Drop batter by heaping tablespoons into ten mounds, inside circle, to form a ring.
• Bake Ring 40 minutes or until golden. Turn off oven. Let ring remain in oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven, cool on wire rack. When cooled, slice in half, horizontally, with a long serrated knife.
• Prepare Almond Cream filling:
• Prepare pudding as label directs, but use only 1 1/4 cups milk. Fold in 1 cup heavy or whipping cream and 1 tsp. almond extract. Spoon almond filling into bottom of ring, replace top ring. Refrigerate.
• Prepare Chocolate Glaze:
• In double boiler, over hot, not boiling water (or in heavy 1 qt. pot over low heat), heat 1/2 cup Chocolate pieces, 1 Tbsp. butter or oleo, 1 1/2 tsp. milk and 1 1/2 tsp. light corn syrup until smooth, stirring occasionally. Spoon Glaze over top of ring.

ALMOND PASTRY PUFFS

Steps:

• 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., 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. , 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., For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, water and extract; beat until smooth. Spread over pastries; sprinkle with almonds.

ALMOND 'YOU MUST BE NUTS!' CRACKERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix almond flour, walnuts, flax seed meal, and salt together in a bowl until well combined. Add water and olive oil; mix until dough is moist and holds together.
• Turn dough onto prepared baking sheet. Place a second piece of parchment over dough. Roll dough, using a rolling pin, into a 1/16-inch thick rectangle. Remove top piece of parchment paper and cut sides of dough to make an even rectangle. Add excess dough to corners or 1 end of rectangle and re-roll to uniform thickness.
• Cut dough into 1-inch squares using a pizza cutter, keeping dough still attached.
• Bake in the preheated oven until outside edges of dough are browned, about 15 minutes. Cool crackers on the baking sheet; break into squares.

ALMOND PUFF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 1/2 cup butter into 1 cup flour. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons water over mixture, and mix with fork. Round into ball, divide in half. On ungreased baking sheet, pat each half into a strip, 12x3 inches. Strips should be about 3 inches apart.
• In medium saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to rolling boil. Remove from heat and quickly stir in almond extract and 1 cup flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture forms a ball, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs, all at one time, until smooth. Divide in half; spread each half evenly over strips, covering completely.
• Bake about 60 minutes or until topping is crisp and brown. Cool. Frost with Confectioners' Sugar Glaze (below) and sprinkle generously with nuts.
• Confectioners' Sugar Glaze: Mix 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened, 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract until smooth.

ALMOND PUFF PANCAKES

Steps:

• Beat egg whites in a bowl using an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
• Beat cream, egg yolks, almond meal, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy. Fold egg whites into cream mixture until batter is just mixed.
• Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the griddle and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.

EASY ALMOND MINCE PIE PUFFS

Steps:

• Unroll the pastry on a lightly floured surface, and cut in half lengthways. Cut each half into six, so you have 12 squares. Working with one square at a time, fold in half diagonally to create a triangle. Lay the triangle out with the folded edge facing you. Cut a ½cm border along the other two edges, stopping just before the two cuts intersect. Carefully unfold the pastry, then brush the borders with a little beaten egg. Lift the far left corner of the pastry and fold it over to the right, pressing it down gently against the inner right corner to seal. Repeat from the far right corner of the pastry to the inner left corner. Arrange the pastries over two baking trays lined with baking parchment, and spoon 1 tsp mincemeat into the middle of each. Top each with a few flaked almonds. Will keep chilled for up to 24 hrs.
• Heat the oven to 210C/190C fan/gas 6½. Brush the pastry with more egg and bake for 15-20 mins until puffed up and golden. Dust with icing sugar and enjoy warm, or leave to cool completely. Once cooled, will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for two days.

ALMOND PUFF

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 1/2 C. butter into 1 C. flour. Sprinkle 2T water over mixture, mix with fork.
• 2. Round into ball, divide in half. On ungreased baking sheet, pat each half into a 12x3 strip. Strip should be about 3 inches apart.
• 3. In medium saucepan, heat 1/2 C. butter and 1 C. water to rolling boil. Remove from heat and quickly stir in almond extract and 1 C. flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture forms a ball, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• 4. Beat in eggs all at one time until smooth. Divide in half. Spread each half evenly over strips, covering completely.
• 5. Bake about 1 hour or until topping is crisp and brown. Cool. Frost with sugar glaze and sprinkle generously with chopped almonds.
• 6. Sugar Glaze: Mix 1 1/2 C. powdered sugar, 2 T. softened butter, 1 to 1 1/2 t. almond extract, 1 1/2 t. vanilla extract and 1-2 T. water until smooth.

ALMOND PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Unroll 1 package of crescent rolls across the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
• (4 rectangles fit across the short way.) Press or stretch lightly to fit, and pinch perforations together to seal.
• Mix cream cheese, egg yolk, almond extract and sugar.
• Spread over 1st layer.
• Unroll 2nd package of crescent rolls and stretch to fit over the top.
• Slightly beat egg white and brush on top layer of crescent rolls.
• Sprinkle with additional sugar, then sliced almonds.
• Bake 20-25 minutes, till golden brown.
• Cool completely before cutting.

SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND PUFF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F Place 1 cup flour in large bowl; cut in 1/2 cup butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 2 tablespoons water with fork until flour mixture is just moistened. Shape dough into a ball. Pat dough into 10-inch circle on ungreased baking sheet. Set aside.
• Combine 1 cup water and 1/2 cup butter in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil and butter is melted (6 to 8 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in 1 cup flour and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture forms a ball (about 1 minute). Remove from heat.
• Add 1 egg at a time, beating with wire whisk or wooden spoon after each addition until smooth and glossy.
• Spread egg mixture over pastry circle. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until surface is crisp and golden. Cool completely. (Topping rises during baking and shrinks during cooling, forming custard-like layer.).
• Combine powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in small bowl until well mixed. Add enough milk for desired glazing consistency.
• Drizzle glaze over puff; sprinkle with almonds.
• Recipe Tip
• Wrap coffee cake puff in plastic food wrap or aluminum foil; refrigerate up to 2 days.
• VARIATIONS:
• Lemon Pecan Puff: Omit almond extract in topping. Substitute 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon peel. Omit almond extract and milk in glaze. Substitute 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Omit sliced almonds. Sprinkle puff with 1/4 cup chopped pecans.
• Maple Pecan Puff: Omit almond extract in topping. Substitute 1 teaspoon maple extract. Omit almond extract in glaze. Substitute 1 teaspoon maple extract. Omit sliced almonds. Sprinkle puff with 1/4 cup chopped pecans.