DELICIOUS ALMOND BRAIDS

Delicious Almond Braids image

Similar to an almond crescent, this coffee cake is light and flaky with a rich almond center. It's so versatile you can serve it for dessert, breakfast or brunch. It will taste as if it was made from scratch at a bakery, yet the packaged puff pastry makes the recipe quick and easy. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 2 braids (6 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 package (7 ounces) almond paste
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
GLAZE:
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430 calories, Fat 25g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 197mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 6g protein.