Recipe Round-up: Almond Puff

Well, I've spent the past few weeks packing, moving and unpacking. I'm about 90% done unpacking and I'm enjoying getting organized once again. I will be back to blogging more regularly soon.

The other day, we went to a friend's house for brunch. I made one of my mom's favorite recipes since she is visiting right now. The recipe is fairly quick and easy to prepare. It is sure to impress and it tastes absolutely delicious. It takes just a few minutes to make and put in the oven. However, it needs to bake for an hour so make sure you have the time before making it.

Almond Puff

From the kitchen of: Carm Allen.

Preparation time: 60 minutes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Crust:

½ cup soft butter

1 cup flour

2 tablespoons water

Cut butter into flour. Sprinkle with water. Mix with fork. Round into a ball. Divide and put each half onto un-greased baking sheet. Shape into 12x3 inch strips (3 inches apart).

Puff Pastry:

½ cup butter

1 cup water

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup flour

3 eggs

In medium saucepan heat butter and water and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat. Add extract and flour. Stir over low heat 1 minute until it forms a ball. Remove. Beat in 3 eggs 1 at a time until smooth. The eggs should be fully incorporated. Spread over 2 strips. Bake 60 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with sliced almonds and drizzle on glaze. Allow to cool briefly and then cut into 1 inch strips.

Glaze:

½ cup confectionery sugar

2 tablespoons softened butter

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 tablespoon warm water

Mix until smooth.

Tip: The hardest part of this recipe is probably spreading the crust flat enough. When I make it, I try to make the crust as thin and long as possible. You want it to cover as much surface area as you can. I sometimes sprinkle a little flour on the top to help it not be so sticky as I press on it.