Description
Deliciously flaky almond croissant bites made with store-bought puff pastry and a rich almond filling. These bite-sized treats are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, offering a crisp golden exterior with a soft, nutty center.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet store bought puff pastry (half of a 17.3oz package, thawed)
Almond Filling
- 1 cup (96g) blanched almond flour
- ½ cup (104g) light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup (113g) salted butter (softened)
- 1½ tablespoons all purpose flour (plus additional for rolling the puff pastry)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- Pinch of salt
Topping and Garnish
- ¼ cup (28g) sliced almonds
- Powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to ensure it reaches the necessary temperature for baking the croissant bites to a golden crisp.
- Prepare the Almond Filling: Using a hand mixer, combine the almond flour, light brown sugar, softened salted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, pure almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix these ingredients together until just combined, taking care not to overmix to retain a tender texture. Set the filling mixture aside.
- Shape the Pastry Cups: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet into an 11×11 inch square. Cut the pastry into twenty-four 2×2 inch squares. Gently press each square into the cavities of a 24-count mini muffin pan, forming small cups to hold the filling.
- Fill and Top: Fill each pastry cup with about 1 tablespoon of the almond filling. For ease and accuracy, a small cookie scoop works well for portioning. Then, press a few sliced almonds onto the top of each filled pastry for a crunchy, decorative finish.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the croissant bites in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. Once baked, place the muffin pan on a wire rack to cool slightly. Carefully remove each bite from the pan and dust with powdered sugar before serving for a delicate, sweet touch.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is properly thawed to prevent tearing when rolling and cutting.
- Do not overmix the almond filling to keep the texture light and tender.
- Using a mini muffin pan helps keep the croissant bites uniform and allows the pastry to puff neatly.
- Adjust baking time slightly as oven temperatures may vary; keep an eye on the pastry to avoid burning.
- These bites are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
