HOLIDAY DANISH PUFFS

Holiday Danish Puffs image

It's worth the extra effort to make this delightful candy cane-shaped dessert. Best of all, the recipe makes two pastries, so it's perfect for gift-giving. -Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h45m

Yield 2 pastries (8 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
TOPPING:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
FROSTING:
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons water
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

Place flour in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each into a 14x2-1/2-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet; curve one end of each pastry to form tops of canes. Refrigerate while preparing topping., Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, combine water, butter and salt; bring to a rolling boil. Add flour all at once and beat until blended. Cook over medium heat, stirring vigorously until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and forms a ball. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes., Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth. Add extract; continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. Spread over pastry dough., Bake 60-70 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool on pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack; cool completely., In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, butter, water and extract until smooth. Spread over pastries; sprinkle with almonds. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 247 calories, Fat 15g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 69mg cholesterol, Sodium 154mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.