These Almond Danishes are a delicious and flaky breakfast treat, perfect for a weekend morning. With the help of store-bought puff pastry, this simple recipe comes together quickly and easily, creating a decadent pastry filled with almond cream and topped with slivered almonds. A drizzle of powdered sugar glaze adds the perfect finishing touch to this sweet, buttery delight.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Frangipane (almond filling):

• ½ cup salted butter, room temperature

• ½ cup sugar

• 1 cup almond flour

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 large egg

• 1 tablespoon almond emulsion (or almond extract)

For the Danishes:

• 1 sheet puff pastry

• 1 cup slivered almonds

• 1 egg white (for egg wash)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar (divided)

• 1 teaspoon almond emulsion (or almond extract)

Directions

1. Prepare the puff pastry: Let the puff pastry sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften. Preheat your oven to 400°F (175°C).

2. Make the almond filling: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and almond emulsion, mixing until combined. Stir in the almond flour and all-purpose flour until a thick paste forms.

3. Prepare the puff pastry: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut it into 6 equal pieces. Score a 1-inch perimeter around each piece, ensuring the edges will puff up.

4. Fill the pastry: Spoon about 1.5 tablespoons of almond filling into the center of each pastry, spreading it slightly toward the center.

5. Egg wash and almonds: Mix the egg white with 2 tablespoons of water until frothy. Brush this egg wash around the edges of the pastry. Top with slivered almonds, dividing them equally among the pastries.

6. Bake: Place the pastries on a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden and puffed.

7. Glaze the danishes: While the danishes cool, make the glaze by mixing ¾ cup powdered sugar with almond emulsion and a little water or milk until you achieve a drizzly consistency. Once the danishes have cooled for 15 minutes, drizzle the glaze over them and dust with the remaining powdered sugar.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 300 kcal per serving

• Carbohydrates: 25g

• Protein: 5g

• Fat: 22g

  • Saturated Fat: 8g

• Cholesterol: 45mg

• Sodium: 180mg

Why Almond Danishes Are So Irresistible

The beauty of Almond Danishes lies in their balance of textures and flavors. The puff pastry offers a crisp, buttery, and flaky base, while the almond filling (frangipane) is smooth, creamy, and rich, providing a contrast to the delicate crunch of the pastry. The slivered almonds on top add an extra layer of texture and a nutty depth, while the powdered sugar glaze provides a sweet, glossy finish that ties everything together.

What makes this recipe particularly irresistible is how easy it is to make. By using store-bought puff pastry, you save time without sacrificing the light, airy layers that make danishes so enjoyable. The almond filling—frangipane—can be prepared quickly and adds an unmistakable depth of flavor that turns an ordinary pastry into something extraordinary. The addition of a simple glaze and a sprinkle of slivered almonds takes the flavor profile to the next level.

The Frangipane: Almond Filling Perfection

The almond filling, or frangipane, is the heart of this Danish. Made with a mixture of butter, sugar, almond flour, and a touch of flour, it forms a creamy, thick paste that’s full of almond flavor. The almond flour provides a rich, nutty taste that perfectly complements the buttery pastry. When mixed with sugar and butter, the frangipane becomes a smooth filling that melts slightly as it bakes, creating a luscious contrast to the crispy pastry.

Adding almond emulsion (or almond extract) intensifies the almond flavor, giving the filling a fragrant, aromatic quality that makes each bite even more delicious. This filling is the perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness, making it an essential element of this recipe.

The Puff Pastry: Flaky and Buttery

Using store-bought puff pastry is a game-changer in this recipe. Puff pastry is known for its light, flaky texture that comes from the layers of dough and butter that puff up as they bake. When baked, it becomes golden brown and irresistibly crisp, providing the perfect base for the almond filling. The beauty of puff pastry is that it puffs up beautifully, creating a delicate, airy texture that complements the rich almond filling perfectly.

To prepare the puff pastry, you simply need to allow it to soften at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cutting it into pieces. Each piece is scored along the edges, which helps the pastry puff up and creates a border that holds the almond filling in place. This step ensures that the pastries look beautiful and have a raised edge that’s slightly golden and crispy when baked.

Assembly: Quick and Easy

Assembling the Almond Danishes is a simple process. Once the puff pastry is prepared, it’s divided into six equal pieces, and each piece is filled with a generous spoonful of the almond filling. The filling is spread slightly towards the center, creating a small well that holds the filling in place during baking.

An egg wash is applied around the edges of the pastry, giving the danishes a glossy finish and enhancing the golden color as they bake. The slivered almonds are sprinkled on top of each pastry, providing a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that enhances the overall experience.

Baking: Golden and Puffy

Once the danishes are assembled, they’re placed on a baking sheet and baked at 400°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes. The pastries should be golden brown and puffed up, with the filling slightly melted but still holding its shape. The high baking temperature ensures that the puff pastry puffs up beautifully and that the almond filling sets, creating the perfect balance of crispiness and creaminess in every bite.

Glaze: The Sweet Finishing Touch

While the almond danishes cool, the glaze is prepared. The glaze is made by mixing powdered sugar with almond emulsion (or almond extract) and a little water or milk to achieve a smooth, drizzly consistency. The glaze is drizzled over the danishes once they’ve cooled slightly, adding a touch of sweetness and a shiny finish that makes the pastries even more inviting.

After glazing, a dusting of powdered sugar can be added for an extra touch of sweetness and to enhance the visual appeal of the danishes. The glaze and powdered sugar provide just the right level of sweetness without overwhelming the almond flavor, creating a perfectly balanced pastry.

Serving Suggestions

These Almond Danishes are perfect for breakfast or brunch, especially when paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They also make a wonderful treat for a weekend gathering or a special occasion like a holiday brunch. The combination of flaky pastry, creamy almond filling, and sweet glaze is irresistible and will have your guests coming back for more.

For a lighter meal, you could serve these danishes alongside fresh fruit, such as berries or citrus, which provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pastry. Alternatively, you could enjoy them on their own as a sweet snack or dessert.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each Almond Danish contains approximately 300 calories, making it a moderate treat for a breakfast or snack. The danish has 22g of fat, with 8g coming from saturated fat, primarily due to the butter and cheese in the filling. It also contains 25g of carbohydrates, with 1g of fiber, and 5g of protein, making it a reasonably balanced pastry despite its rich, indulgent nature.

The sodium content is 180mg per serving, so it’s important to keep that in mind if you’re watching your salt intake. The sugar content is 2g, which primarily comes from the powdered sugar glaze and the sugar in the almond filling. Overall, these danishes are a delicious but indulgent treat, perfect for a special occasion or a weekend breakfast.

Conclusion: A Decadent Breakfast Delight

In conclusion, Almond Danishes are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that brings the indulgence of a bakery pastry into your home. The combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy almond filling, and sweet glaze makes these danishes irresistible, and they’re surprisingly simple to prepare. Whether you’re making them for a weekend breakfast, brunch, or a special occasion, these almond danishes are sure to be a hit. With their buttery texture and rich almond flavor, they’re the perfect way to start your morning or to enjoy as a sweet treat with coffee or tea.