CREAMY LEMON ALMOND PASTRIES

Creamy Lemon Almond Pastries image

I love lemon filled doughnuts when I can find them. This recipe brings the concept to a new level by placing the filling into a baked beignet and enhancing it with a bit of almond flavoring and toasted almonds. The result? Sunshine in a bite. -Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened (4-1/2 ounces)
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
2 tablespoons lemon curd
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons 2% milk
3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

Beat cream cheese, 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, lemon curd, lemon zest and almond extract on medium until combined. Refrigerate, covered, for 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry. Roll into a 12x9-in. rectangle. Using a pastry cutter or sharp knife, cut into 9 rectangles. Spoon rounded tablespoons of cream cheese mixture in center of each rectangle. In a small bowl, whisk egg with water. Brush edges with egg mixture., Wrap puff pastry around filling to cover completely. Pinch edges together to form a ball. Place seam side down, 2 inches apart, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush pastries with remaining egg mixture. Pierce each once with a fork. Bake until golden brown, 15-18 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Loosen pastries from the parchment., Meanwhile, combine lemon juice, milk and remaining confectioners' sugar. Brush each pastry with lemon glaze. Top with almonds. When glaze is set, in 1-2 minutes, peel off parchment. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 14g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 39mg cholesterol, Sodium 148mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.