Description
Delight in these Custard Almond Puff Pastry Pockets, a French-inspired dessert and breakfast treat featuring flaky puff pastry enveloping creamy vanilla custard, topped with crunchy sliced almonds and a light almond glaze. Perfectly golden and easy to make, these pockets offer a luscious combination of textures and flavors, ideal for a sweet morning boost or an elegant dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Pockets
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 cup pastry cream or vanilla custard (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for thinning egg wash)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Optional Almond Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Roll and cut pastry: Lightly flour a surface and roll out the puff pastry sheet slightly. Cut it into 4 to 6 equal rectangles or squares, depending on your preferred size.
- Fill and seal pockets: Spoon about 1 to 2 tablespoons of custard onto the center of half of the pastry pieces. Brush the edges with the egg wash (egg beaten with milk), then cover each with a remaining piece of pastry. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal completely and prevent leaks.
- Top and garnish: Brush the tops of the sealed pockets with more egg wash, then sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Bake: Arrange the pockets on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through.
- Cool and glaze: Allow the pastries to cool slightly on a rack. For extra sweetness, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and almond extract to make the optional glaze. Drizzle it over the warm or cooled pockets, then dust with additional powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Best served fresh for maximum flakiness and flavor.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
- Reheat briefly in the oven to restore crispiness if needed.
- You can substitute almond slices with chopped pistachios or hazelnuts for a different nutty twist.
- Pastry cream can be homemade or store-bought depending on your convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
