Almond Filled Braid Recipes

DELICIOUS ALMOND BRAIDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Place the almond paste, butter and sugar in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add egg and flour; process until smooth., Place puff pastry sheets onto a greased baking sheet. Spread half of the filling mixture down the center third of 1 pastry sheet. On each side, cut 8 strips about 3-1/2 in. into the center. Starting at 1 end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling., Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely., Combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and almond extract. Drizzle over braids; sprinkle with almonds. Cut into slices to serve.

PEAR AND ALMOND DANISH BRAID

Steps:

• To prepare the pear filling, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir to combine. Add the pears and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until they are tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer the pears to a plate and let the mixture cool completely.
• Use a coffee grinder to blend the almonds to a fine meal. Transfer the almond meal to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, the confectioners' sugar, egg yolk and almond extract. Mash the mixture into a paste with a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon.
• On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, roll the dough into an 11-by-14-inch rectangle. Arrange so a short side is facing you. With a bench scraper or the backside of a knife, very lightly mark off a 3-inch section lengthwise down the center of the dough. (Don't cut through the dough, you're just creating a guide for yourself.) Cut 1-inch strips perpendicular to the lengthwise guidelines, on either side of the 3-inch section. (These strips will be folded up to become the braided top.) Cut off the top and bottom corner strips, leaving the center flap.
• Spread the almond mixture down the 3-inch section of the pastry, leaving about an 1/8-inch border on all sides. Top evenly with the pear mixture, leaving any accumulated liquid on the plate.
• Beat the egg in a small bowl. Very lightly, brush a 1-inch border around the edges of the pastry with some of the beaten egg. (You'll be brushing the pastry that's been cut into strips, and the two end flaps.)
• Fold up the top and bottom ends of the center section to create a barrier for the filling. Starting at the top, fold each strip in at a slightly downward angle over the filling, alternating from left to right. Make sure the strips are overlapping by about 1/2 inch so they don't open up while baking. Using the parchment, move the filled pastry onto a rimmed baking sheet.
• Cover the pastry loosely with plastic wrap and let rest until slightly puffed, about 1 hour. Note the thickness of the strips when you first set it aside and use their growth as a guide. It's ready when the dough bounces back slowly when pressed lightly. (If it bounces back too fast, it hasn't risen enough; if it doesn't bounce back at all, it's gone too far.) While dough is rising, heat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Gently brush the top and sides of the pastry with some of the remaining beaten egg. Bake for 10 minutes then turn the pan and reduce the heat to 375 degrees. Bake until deep golden brown and puffed, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, make the apricot glaze if desired. Heat the apricot jam in a small saucepan, stirring, until loose. Strain the jam through a mesh sieve into a small bowl; discard the solids. Brush a thin coat of apricot glaze over the warm pastry. Let cool slightly before serving.

DANISH PASTRY BRAID

Steps:

• Quick Method Danish Pastry:
• Measure 3 1/2 cups flour into a bowl or work bowl of food processor with steel blade in place. Cut the butter into 1/4-inch slices and add to the flour. Process or cut the butter into the flour until the butter is about the size of kidney beans.
• In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in the cream or milk, cardamom, salt, eggs, and sugar.
• Turn the flour-butter mixture into the liquid ingredients, and with a rubber spatula mix carefully just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours, overnight, or up to 4 days.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board; dust with flour. Pound and flatten to make a 16- to 20-inch rectangle. Fold into thirds, making 3 layers. Turn dough around and roll out again. Fold from the short sides into thirds. This should result in a perfect square. Repeat folding and rolling again if you wish.
• Wrap and chill the dough 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
• To make the Danish Pastry Braid:
• Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease and flour them.
• Divide the chilled dough into 2 parts. Roll each part out to make a rectangle 12 by 6 inches. Place these strips on the prepared baking sheets.
• To make the filling, cream the butter and sugar until light. Blend in the almond extract, almonds, almond paste, and egg white.
• Spread filling down the length of the center of the strips. Cut slanting strips at 3/4-inch intervals along both sides up toward the center using a pastry wheel. Fold strips over the filling in a crisscross manner
• Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Let strips rise for 15 to 30 minutes, just until the pastry strips look puffy; they will not double.
• To make a glaze, beat the egg with the milk or water. Brush the pastry lightly with it. Sprinkle the sugar and/or sliced almonds over the top.
• Bake about 15 minutes or until golden.
• Frost, if desired, with almond-water icing. Blend the sugar, water, and almond extract until smooth and thin enough to drizzle over the braids.

ALMOND DANISH BRAID

Steps:

• Thaw puff pastry dough as directed on package. This should take about 30-40 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray.
• Open puff pastry sheet on a wooden cutting board and lay flat.
• Using a pizza cutter, cut 2" long strips on either side of center, making them about 1" wide. You should have 8 or 9 strips on each side when done.
• Remove the strips on each corner, leaving the center intact to fold over filling.
• Brush melted butter on center of dough.
• Top butter with 1/2 can almond filling and spread evenly.
• Beginning at one end, fold over center flap to cover filling.
• Fold over the top strip at a slight angle. Repeat with opposite side. Proceed with remaining strips until you reach the bottom set of strips.
• Fold over the center flap on the bottom then fold over the last two strips.
• Using a large spatula, move braid to cookie sheet.
• Repeat with remaining puff pastry and filling to make second braid.
• Whisk egg in a small bowl and brush on top of braids.
• Bake in oven for 20 minutes.
• While pastry is baking, mix all ingredients for almond or vanilla icing together. Add more confectioner's sugar if you need to thicken it or more cream if it needs to be thinner. It should be a good consistency to drizzle over braid.
• Remove cookie sheets to wire rack and immediately drizzle icing over braids. Sprinkle on sliced almonds.
• Makes 2 braids.

ALMOND FILLED BRAID

Steps:

• Spray board or counter with non-stick cooking spray. Roll loaf or combined rolls into a 12 x 16-inch rectangle. With a clean ruler, gently mark a 4-inch strip lengthwise down the center. Then mark dough into 1 1/2-inch strips horizontally. Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture evenly over dough. Combine the almonds, butter, almond extract and remaining sugar. Spread mixture lengthwise down the center of dough. Make cuts on marked lines from edge to within 1-inch of filling. Begin braid by folding top and bottom strips toward filling. Then braid strips left over right, right over left. Finish by pulling last strip over and tucking under. Lift braid with both hands and place on a large sprayed baking sheet.Cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise 20-30 minutes. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 25-30 minutes. Combine all glaze ingredients and mix well. Using a pastry brush, brush entire braid with glaze and sprinkle with slivered almonds, if desired.

ALMOND FILLED BRAID

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water.
• Mix together milk, sugar, and salt, and add to yeast mixture.
• Stir in butter and eggs.
• Add 1/2 Celsius flour and beat well.
• Add enough of remaining flour to handle easily and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Place in a greased bowl and turn once.
• Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down and let rise again until almost double, about 30 minutes.
• Roll into a 8 by 14 inch rectangle and place on a greased baking sheet.
• Spread almond filling down the center of the dough about 2-3 inches wide.
• On both sides of filling make 1 1/2-2 inch cuts one inch apart down the length of the rectangle.
• Take one strip at a time and alternating sides cross them at the center of the filling.
• Bake at 350 F until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
• If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

BRAIDED ALMOND RING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast, lemon zest and salt. In a saucepan, heat milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk and 1/2 cup flour; beat for 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover and let rest for 20-30 minutes. Punch dough down. Divide into three pieces; roll each into a 24x4-in. rectangle. , In a small bowl, beat filling ingredients. Spread over dough to within 1 in. of edges. Roll up, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Place ropes on a floured surface; gently braid. Place in a well-greased 10-in. tube pan. Pinch ends to seal. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Beat egg with water; brush over braid. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes. Carefully remove from pan to a wire rack. Combine the first five glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm braid. Top with almonds.

CHRISTMAS BREAD (ALMOND-FILLED CHALLAH)

Steps:

• Pour lukewarm (110oF) water into a small bowl. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle yeast over top. Do not stir. Let stand for 10 minutes, until mixture is foamy.
• Meanwhile, measure 3 cups flour into a large bowl. Using a fork, stir in 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tsp salt. Form a well in centre of mixture. Add eggs, oil and yeast mixture. Stir well, using a spoon, just until blended.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead dough with floured hands. When dough becomes sticky, liberally sprinkle flour on kneading surface. Continue kneading until dough forms a smooth satiny ball, about 10 minutes. By this time, you will have incorporated most of flour, and dough should bounce back when pressed with your finger.
• Place dough in a large oiled bowl. Roll around inside of bowl until dough is completely covered with a light coating of oil. Cover bowl with a piece of oiled waxed paper, topped by a damp cloth. Let stand in a warm place, such as on top of the refrigerator, until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
• In the meantime, prepare filling. In a small bowl, blend ground almonds and sugar. Stir in egg white, milk and almond extract until thoroughly blended.
• Set aside.
• Punch down dough. Cover and let rise again until double in size, about 45 minutes.
• Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Roll into long strands. Flatten each strand with rolling pin. Spread almond filling over each strand to 1/4 inch from sides. Roll back into long strands.
• Place strands on a lightly greased baking sheet. And braid loosely. Tuck in ends.* Cover with a damp cloth and let dough rise until doubled in size, about 45 more minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400oF. Whisk egg yolk with water. Brush loaf with beaten egg yolk. Bake in centre of preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes Place piece of foil paper over bread if browning too quickly.
• *You can also shape braid into a circle to form wreath and decorate with an icing sugar frosting, almonds and cherries.

ALMOND FILLED BRAID

Steps:

• Spray counter with non-stick cooking spray. Roll loaf or combined rolls into a 12x16-inch rectangle. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest 10-15 minutes. Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon. Remove wrap from dough and sprinkle evenly with sugar mixture. Combine almonds, butter, almond extract and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Spread almond mixture lengthwise in a 4-inch strip down center of dough. Make cuts 1 1/2-inches apart on long sides of dough to within 1/2-inch of filling. Begin braid by folding top and bottom strips toward filling. Then braid strips left over right, right over left. Finish by pulling last strip over and tucking under braid. Lift braid with both hands and place on a large sprayed baking sheet. Cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Combine all glaze ingredients and mix well. Using a pastry brush, brush entire braid with glaze and sprinkle with slivered almonds, if desired. Cool slightly and slice to serve.

ALMOND BRAID

Steps:

• Add yeast and warm water to the bowl of the mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Let stand for a few minutes to dissolve the yeast.
• Add sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks and mix on low speed.
• Gradually add in the flour. Do not over mix. The dough should be buttery and slightly sticky to the touch, but manageable.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and knead a few times until smooth on a floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.
• Add butter, almond paste, and egg white to the bowl of the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until smooth.
• Then add powdered sugar and flour and mix on low speed.
• Lastly, mix in the chopped almonds until well incorporated. Cover and chill until ready to assemble.
• Unwrap the dough and place it on a well-floured surface. Shape it into a rough rectangle with your hands, and then roll out into a 12-inch by 15-inch rectangle. Be patient as you roll, checking to see if the dough is sticking to the work surface and adding flour as needed.
• Trim the uneven edges with a sharp knife.
• Spoon the almond filling into the center third of the rectangle, and then pat it into an even layer.
• Use a sharp knife to cut one-inch diagonal strips in the dough from the edge of the dough to the edge of the filling.
• Fold the top and bottom edge of the dough over the filling, and then alternate folding over the strips on each side.
• Let the almond braid rise, covered with a clean kitchen towel in a warm place for 30 minutes.
• Then preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and brush the top of the almond braid with the remaining egg white and sprinkle sliced almonds over the top.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top of the almond braid is golden brown.
• To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract together in a small bowl until smooth.
• Transfer the almond braid to a cooling rack and allow to cool before drizzling with almond glaze. Slice and serve.