(SAVE THE POLAR) BEAR CLAWS

(Save the Polar) Bear Claws image

Use organic ingredients where possible.

Provided by Amanda Hesser

Time 4h

Yield Makes about 9 bear claws

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound (4 sticks) butter, softened
1 pound (2 cups) mascarpone
2 cups unsulfured dried apricots
1/3 cup apricot preserves
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons heavy cream
3 1/2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

Steps:

Place the flour and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until incorporated. Then add the mascarpone, 2 tablespoons at a time, until blended.
Divide the dough into 3 equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Prepare the filling by bringing the apricots and 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Let cool completely, then drain apricots and roughly chop.
Dust a work surface lightly with flour. Roll one disc of chilled dough into an 9-by-13-inch rectangle, 1/4 -inch thick. Then cut the rectangle into 3 (9-by-4 1/3-inch) smaller rectangles. Lay each rectangle vertically. Place 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons apricots on the bottom half of the rectangle. Top with 1 1/2 teaspoons of apricot preserves. Fold the top half of the dough over the fruit and press down along the edges to seal. Using a paring knife, cut away a small amount of the sealed edge to tighten the seal. Cut 4 ( 3/4-inch-long) slits into the sealed end (opposite the fold) to make bear nails. Repeat with the remaining discs of dough. Refrigerate the bear claws for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, cream and a few drops of water. Place bear claws on the baking sheets 2 inches apart. Brush the top of each bearclaw with the egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar.
Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove bear claws from the oven and let cool.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 878, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 77 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 37 grams, Sodium 459 milligrams, Sugar 27 grams, TransFat 2 grams