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Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants

If you’ve ever dreamt of sinking your teeth into a flaky, buttery almond croissant, only to be deterred by the thought of the hours of labour typically required to create them, you’re in for a treat. This recipe for ridiculously easy almond croissants will have you indulging in homemade pastries without the fuss. Perfect for brunch, elevating a simple breakfast, or treating yourself to a delightful afternoon snack, these croissants are straightforward and satisfying.

Ingredients

To whip up these delectable almond croissants, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Ready-made croissant dough: 1 pack (either fresh or frozen)
• Ground almonds: 100g
• Granulated sugar: 75g
• Unsalted butter: 50g, softened
• Almond extract: 1 teaspoon (or vanilla extract if you prefer)
• Milk: For brushing
• Flaked almonds: To sprinkle on top
• Icing sugar: For dusting (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (180°C for fan ovens) or 400°F. Prepare a baking tray by lining it with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, softened butter, and almond extract until you have a smooth paste.

3. Shape the Croissants
Roll out your ready-made croissant dough on a clean, lightly floured surface. You can either use pre-cut triangles if your dough comes that way, or roll it out into a rectangle and cut it into triangles yourself.

Taking each triangle, place a teaspoon of the almond filling at the wider end. Roll the triangle gently, starting from the wide edge, to form a crescent shape. Ensure the filling remains inside while rolling. Repeat this step for the remaining triangles.

4. Assemble for Baking
Place the rolled croissants on the prepared baking tray, ensuring they have enough space between them to puff up. Brush the tops with a bit of milk to give them a golden finish and sprinkle flaked almonds on top for an extra crunch.

5. Bake
Pop your croissants into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden and puffed.

6. Finish and Serve
Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool slightly. For an extra touch of sweetness, dust with icing sugar before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tips for Success

• Quality Counts: While the ease of ready-made dough makes the process simple, choosing a high-quality croissant dough will enhance the final result.
• Experiment with Flavours: Feel free to add a bit of cocoa powder or chocolate chips to your almond paste for a delicious twist.
• Storage: If you have leftovers (though we doubt you will!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They can also be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain their flakiness.

Conclusion

These ridiculously easy almond croissants are perfect for anyone looking to impress without the stress of traditional pastry-making. With minimal ingredients and hassle, you can create a batch of delightful, cafe-worthy treats in no time. So why not treat yourself and your loved ones to a taste of France right in your own kitchen? After all, weekends were made for baking.