Almond Croissants: A Sweet and Nutty Treat

Almond Croissants are the epitome of buttery, flaky perfection, combining rich almond filling with a crispy, golden croissant exterior. These pastries are often served at bakeries and are a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert. The almond filling inside is made from almond flour, sugar, and butter, creating a rich and nutty flavor that perfectly complements the croissant’s flakiness.

Making homemade almond croissants might sound like a challenge, but this recipe will guide you step-by-step, and the results will be absolutely worth the effort. For more delicious croissant variations, check out Almond Croissants Recipe by Baker Bettie and Almond Croissants from King Arthur Baking.

Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions

Almond Croissants Recipe – A Perfectly Flaky, Nutty Delight

Author: Jennifer Mitchell
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 croissants 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Almond Croissants are a decadent and delicious pastry perfect for breakfast or dessert. Using stale croissants as a base, they are filled with a rich, almond-flavored filling and topped with crunchy, toasted sliced almonds. A simple yet flavorful syrup made with orange peel gives them an aromatic twist. The result is a perfect balance of flaky, buttery, and nutty flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Syrup

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
Orange peel strips from half an orange (approximately 1″x4″ pieces)

For the Almond Filling

1 stick (8 tbsp, 115 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1 1/4 cup (125 g) almond flour or almond meal
2/3 cup (80 g) all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
Orange zest from half an orange (optional)

For Topping

1 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar (more or less as desired)

Other

8 stale croissants (day-old, store-bought croissants work great)

Instructions

Prepare the Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and orange peel strips.
Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup comes to a simmer.
Once simmering, lower the heat and let it cook for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
Remove from heat, strain out the orange peel, and set the syrup aside to cool.
Prepare the Almond Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add the almond flour, all-purpose flour, eggs, vanilla or almond extract, and orange zest (if using), and continue mixing until fully combined. The filling should be smooth and thick.
Prepare the Croissants:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Slice each stale croissant in half horizontally, creating two halves from each croissant. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Assemble the Croissants:
Generously spread the almond filling on the bottom half of each croissant.
Place the top half of the croissant back on top, pressing down slightly.
Make the Almond Topping:
Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top of each croissant.
Drizzle the prepared orange syrup over the top of the croissants, making sure to coat them lightly.
Bake the Croissants:
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown, and the almond filling is set.
Finishing Touches:
Once out of the oven, dust the croissants with powdered sugar to give them a beautiful finish.
Allow the croissants to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve:
Serve warm, and enjoy the rich, almondy flavors with the citrusy hint from the orange syrup. Perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon treat!

Notes

Almond Flour: You can use almond meal in place of almond flour, but almond flour will give a smoother texture.
Day-Old Croissants: Using stale croissants ensures they can absorb the almond filling without becoming too soggy. If your croissants are very fresh, you can toast them lightly before use.
Flavors: If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, you can increase the amount of almond extract or use a few drops of almond oil.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Pastry
Method: Baked
Cuisine: French

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 croissant
Calories: 400 kcal
Sugar: 27g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Almond Croissants

Instructions:

Prepare the Almond Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and orange peel strips. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. This syrup will soak into the croissants, adding sweetness and a lovely citrus flavor.
Prepare the Almond Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until creamy and light.
- Add the almond flour (or almond meal), all-purpose flour, eggs, vanilla or almond extract, and orange zest (if using). Mix well until the almond filling is smooth and uniform.
Assemble the Almond Croissants:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice each stale croissant in half horizontally. Using a spoon or spatula, generously spread the almond filling inside each croissant.
- Place the croissants on the prepared baking sheet. After filling the croissants, brush the tops with some of the almond syrup to infuse them with extra flavor.
Add the Almond Topping:
- Sprinkle the sliced almonds on top of each filled croissant for an added crunch.
- If you like your croissants sweeter, dust them with powdered sugar before baking.
Bake the Croissants:
- Place the croissants in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Once baked, remove the croissants from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve these warm, fresh almond croissants with a cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy them as a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack. These croissants are best eaten the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for a day or two.

Advanced Techniques

Enhancing the Almond Filling Flavor

For a deeper almond flavor, you can add a tablespoon of amaretto liqueur or almond extract to the filling. This will give your almond croissants a more pronounced, rich almond essence. If you prefer a lighter flavor, stick to just vanilla extract.

Perfecting the Flakiness

The key to getting Almond Croissants perfectly flaky is to use stale croissants. Fresh croissants will be too soft and will not absorb the almond filling properly. You can use store-bought croissants that are a day or two old. If you don’t have stale croissants, consider lightly toasting them before assembling.

Additionally, when spreading the almond filling, make sure not to overstuff the croissants. Overstuffing can cause the filling to ooze out during baking. A generous spoonful should be enough.

Topping Variations

If you want to get creative with the topping, you can try using chopped pistachios, shredded coconut, or even a drizzle of chocolate ganache for an added touch of elegance.

See more advanced recipes, at Mobolux.

Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips

Storing Almond Croissants

If you have any leftover Almond Croissants, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness.

Freezing Almond Croissants

Almond croissants freeze well both before and after baking. If you want to freeze them before baking, assemble the croissants, but don’t bake them. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, simply add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time.

If you’ve already baked the croissants, allow them to cool completely before freezing. Wrap each croissant in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. To reheat, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

Shelf Life

For the best flavor, enjoy your Almond Croissants within 2 days if stored at room temperature. If refrigerated or frozen, they will maintain their flavor for a few more days or even weeks, depending on how they are stored.

Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions

Gluten-Free Option

To make these almond croissants gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the almond meal you use is also gluten-free.

Dairy-Free Option

To make Almond Croissants dairy-free, you can replace the butter with a dairy-free butter substitute and use a non-dairy alternative for the almond filling. Additionally, make sure to use a dairy-free croissant dough, or opt for a vegan croissant recipe.

Nut-Free Version

If you’re allergic to nuts or prefer a nut-free version, you can substitute the almond flour with sunflower seed flour or a similar seed-based alternative.

FAQs About The Recipe

Can I use fresh croissants?

Fresh croissants tend to be too soft and won’t hold up as well when filled with the almond mixture. It’s best to use day-old croissants or lightly toast them to help them firm up.

Can I make the filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the almond filling a day ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before using.

Can I use almond paste instead of almond flour?

Yes, almond paste can be used in place of almond flour, but it’s much sweeter. If you use almond paste, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar in the filling.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Almond Croissants are a delightful and indulgent treat that brings together the best of almond flavor and buttery croissant perfection. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or as a weekend breakfast, these croissants are sure to impress. The almond filling adds a rich, nutty flavor, while the orange syrup gives them a lovely citrusy kick. Enjoy these warm, flaky croissants with your favorite hot drink for the ultimate pastry experience!