Description
Delight in these irresistible Almond-Filled French Pastries, featuring a tender, buttery dough enveloping a rich almond filling. Topped with fresh blackberries and crunchy sliced almonds, these pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an elegant dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 500 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 packet dry yeast (about 7 grams)
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar (about 80 grams)
- 80 grams butter, at room temperature
- 1 packet vanilla sugar (about 8 grams)
- 1 cup lukewarm milk (200 ml)
Almond Filling
- 1 cup ground almonds (about 100 grams)
- Slightly less than 1 cup sugar (about 130 grams)
- 100 grams butter
Topping
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon milk
- Blackberries (about 50 grams)
- Sliced almonds (about 30 grams)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, dry yeast, egg, granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, and lukewarm milk. Begin kneading the mixture, and as it starts to come together, gradually incorporate the softened butter. Continue kneading for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Make the Almond Filling: While the dough rises, melt the butter and mix it with ground almonds and sugar until well combined, forming a smooth, spreadable filling.
- Shape the Pastries: After the dough has risen, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the almond filling evenly over one half of the dough, then fold the other half over the filling, creating a filled dough layer. Cut the dough into strips about the width of three fingers (approximately 5-6 cm). Make 3 to 4 cuts in each strip and twist the strips around themselves to form spirals.
- Add Toppings: Whisk together the egg yolk and teaspoon of milk to create an egg wash. Brush this over the spiraled pastries. Gently press fresh blackberries on top of each pastry and sprinkle with sliced almonds for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the pastries turn a beautiful golden brown and the almond filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is lukewarm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Room temperature butter blends more easily into the dough for a smooth texture.
- For a vegan version, substitute egg with flaxseed meal and use plant-based alternatives for butter and milk.
- You can substitute blackberries with other berries like raspberries or blueberries depending on seasonal availability.
- Use parchment paper on the baking tray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15 grams
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0.3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 35 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: almond pastries, French pastries, almond filling, breakfast pastries, berry topping, baked pastries
