This is one of my favorite Christmas recipes that I remember having every Christmas since I was a kid. It’s one of those treats that looks decadent and time-consuming, but it really is not as hard as you think pastry would be. This Almond Puff Pastry will quickly become a favorite in your home too!
Favorite Christmas Recipe
If you love almond you will adore this flakey delight.
This makes a great breakfast treat Christmas morning and it can easily be made days before and even freezes well (just let it cool and wrap it well).
One of my favorite pastry and it's so easy to make. It has a delicious almond flavor.
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup flour
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp almond extract more if you love almond
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds slightly toasted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Blend together the crust ingredients with a pastry cutter or 2 forks. The mixture will be coarse and crumbly. Divide it into two balls.
With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll into long pieces (about 4″ by 12″) and lay on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a saucepan, bring to boil over low heat the water and butter (Top portion). Add flour when the water comes to a boil. Turn off the heat and continue to stir until the batter leaves the sides of the pan.
Add the eggs, one egg at a time and then add the almond extract.
Divide into two parts and spread over the crust, making certain that it is covered completely. Bake at 350 degrees for 40- 45 minutes.
While still warm, drizzle with a mixture of powdered sugar, and almond extract. If the mixture is too thick add water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Sprinkle with sliced, roasted almonds.
Serve warm or cold.
I hope you’ll give it a try & love it as much as I do!
Thanks for stopping by…
Thanks so much for this recipe! I made this a few times from a Betty Crocker cookbook in the 60s. 70s, it was called “Danish Puff”. So yummy! The book got lost during a move and I missed that great recipe – I could never remember what it was called, and never saw a similar one to try.
I am making this tomorrow, I might not sleep tonight!
I love this. Yes it was called Danish coffee cake in the 70s and 80s. Thank you for sharing.
This was known as “Danish Pastry” in my house in the 70’s ad 80’s, and I LOVED it! When I finally got the recipe from my mom years later the directions were iffy so I couldn’t get it just right. THANK YOU for sharing this! Can’t wait to try it again. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you as well and God bless you and I mean it!
Oh my, I have been searching for this recipe for decades!!!! Thanks so much!
Hi Maryann, I am new at Pinterest and I cannot seem to print your recipe for
the Christmas pastry. Do you have it blocked? I would sure like to try it.
Peggy
This recipe is what I have called my “Christmas Kringle”, though I make it all year. We have a Kringle that is made in Racine, WI and this tastes a lot like it. Easy to make and fantastic with coffee or a cold glass of milk. I have used different nuts and flavorings. I usually add a bit of butter flavoring also. It is a little more work, but usually I freeze my butter then grate it and mix it in. I do the same with my scones and I believe they are a not as heavy. At Christmas I sprinkle colored sugar lightly on top. Great recipe !
Lived in N Illinois most of my life and never had a Kringle from
Racine till I retired to Phoenix. I knew they had a reputation,. I’ve had the Almond and the Pumpkin. Very good, but Now I can make my own.?
I know the Kringle you are talking about! I am your neighbor from Illinois and we always pick up a few when we are in Wisconsin! Love them! Would be great to make my own at home.
I love this. Can’t believe I have never heard of it before. Do you just call it almond pastry? I made it with cream cheese icing. Yum!
Could you add a filling (cherry, raspberry, lemon) between the layers? This could make an awesome Christmas gift for my neighbors rather than the usual cookies.
I’ve never tried it, but it sounds fantastic! If you do try it, please let me know how it works!
Could this be made gluten free/paleo with finely ground almond flour?
Hi Jan! I have never tried it, so I don’t know. If you try, please let me know how it turns out.
I have been making this recipe for 35 years! I got the recipe from my Mother-In-Law the first year we were married. It is a family treasure. I frost it with cream cheese frosting made with some almond extract! YUM!
Oh that sounds amazing with the cream cheese frosting!
I’m trying this and can’t wait. But please instruct me how to put in the eggs without cooking the eggs since it seems they are being put in a boiling hot pot. Thank you!!!
Hi Shawnee,
The eggs are added after the water and butter boil, and the flour has been added. Then the heat is turned off before the eggs are added. It’s all listed in the recipe instructions. Happy Baking!
So this is basically a puff pastry crust topped with a cream puff crust then glazed?
It won’t let me print the recipe? Help?
In the picture it appears as though the dough is twisted in circles, or something. But the directions seem like you are making too long skinny rectangles. Can you comment and clarify? Thank you.
Nope, it’s not twisted. It’s just shaped into long rounded rectangles.
My mom had made this for years as well! My kids don’t think its actually Christmas unless I make it too! So yummy! I use chopped walnuts (but still use the almond flavor) because I’m allergic to the actual almonds. Still so good!
My mom also made this pastry for Christmas morning. It was something all 5 kids looked forward too. Thanks for bringing this memory back. I’m going to dust this off and restart the tradition. Many Blessing for you and your family.
This is even better with a cream cheese filling?
Oh good idea!
Also delicious with orange extract instead of almond
Measurements for the last stop (powdered sugar, water, almond extract)?
So excited to come across this recipe. I want something a bit nicer and something that might travel well and still be delicious. Something other than cookies. Well, this seems to just be screaming all that to me and more! Thank you.
Where is the sugar in this recipe…?
Sugar only in the frosting drizzle and it’s enough…
1. If you are to make two pastries, will there be enough of the puff pastry to cover both?? You use only half on each?
2. How much powdered sugars do you use in the glaze???
How many does this recipe serve??
It makes 2 long pastries. I think you could easily serve 12.
Can a gluten free flour be used?
So the only sugar in the pastry is the powdered sugar in the glaze? If so, it does not say how much. Is there an actual recipe with measurements?
Self rising flour or all purpose
all purpose flour – all update the recipe with details… thanks!
Can this be made the night ahead?
Absolutely!!! I think it even tastes better the next day. Just store in an air tight container.
I am confused why you make two balls. Are you making two at a time?
Yes this makes 2 pastries.
Hi Maryann, I LOVE almond! This looks DELISH! Hope you and your fam had a blessed Xmas! xo
This looks fabulous! I think I’ll add it to my (already huge!) list of things I am making for the Christmas Day Brunch I am hosting. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! I think everyone will love this!
Merry Christmas Maryann!
Nancy