Almond Croissants
The almond croissant is a delicious pastry made by baking a croissant twice. Bakeries traditionally used this technique to revive day-old croissants that would otherwise go to waste. Plain baked croissants are sliced in half, soaked in syrup, and filled with almond cream. Then, more almond cream is spread on top, and the croissants are baked again until golden brown. Our Homemade Croissants are perfect for this recipe, yielding 12 croissants-enough to eat some fresh and then save some for this variation. Or try our Small-Batch Croissants if you only want to make exactly 6 for this recipe. You can use store-bought croissants if needed.
If you have extra croissants, you can easily double the recipe. Alternatively, double the recipe and save half the cream and syrup for making dressed-up toast. Give sliced day-old bread the same treatment as the croissants. Try it with sourdough slices, or for a more decadent treat, use our No-Knead Brioche or Pain de Mie.
Almond Croissant Recipe
The syrup and frangipane can easily be made ahead of time and held in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Scroll to Printable Recipe
Yield
6 croissants
Timing
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the croissants:
Ingredient | Amount | ||
---|---|---|---|
Day-old croissants | 6 croissants |
For the frangipane:
Ingredient | Grams | U.S. Volume |
---|---|---|
Almond flour | 113g | 1 cup + 2 tbsp |
All-purpose flour | 15g | 2 tbsp |
Salt | 1g | ¼ tsp |
Butter, softened | 113g | ½ cup |
Granulated sugar | 113g | ½ cup + 1 tbsp |
Egg | 50g | 1 |
Almond extract | 2g | ½ tsp |
For the simple syrup:
Ingredient | Grams | U.S. Volume |
---|---|---|
Granulated sugar | 67g | ⅓ cup |
Water | 78g | ⅓ cup |
Rum, optional | 15g | 1 tbsp |
For finishing:
Ingredient | Grams | U.S. Volume |
---|---|---|
Sliced or slivered almonds | 155g | 1 ¼ cup |
Powdered sugar | as needed | as needed |
Equipment
- Brod & Taylor High Capacity Baking Scale
- Small saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Pastry brush
- Stand mixer (optional)
- Brod & Taylor Silicone Baking Mat or parchment paper
- Serrated knife
- Half sheet pan (18” x 13”/ 46 x 33 cm)
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a half-sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper, and set aside.
Make the simple syrup: Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then remove from the heat. Stir in the rum.
Make the frangipane: In a small bowl, whisk together the almond meal, flour, and salt. Set aside.
In a small bowl, stir together the almond meal, flour, and salt. Set aside. Add the softened butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Turn the mixer to medium and cream the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy- about 3 minutes. On low speed, add in the egg and mix until fully incorporated. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add in the dry mixture and mix on low until well combined. Add the almond extract and mix just until incorporated.
*You can mix the frangipane by hand instead of using a mixer, following the same steps above.
Fill the croissants: Place slivered almonds in a shallow bowl or plate. Set aside. Using a serrated knife, cut each croissant in half horizontally. Use a pastry brush to generously brush each croissant half with the syrup.
Spread two rounded tablespoons (30g) of frangipane on the bottom half of each croissant, then place the top half back on and lightly press down with your hand to seal. Spread two rounded tablespoons (30g) of frangipane on top of each croissant half.
Place the top halves of the croissants back on and lightly press down with your hand to seal. Pick up one croissant at a time and press the frangipane-covered top into the bowl of almonds. Set the croissant onto the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with remaining croissants.
Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through until the croissants are golden brow
Allow to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar.