Warm Apple-Almond Pastry

Name: Warm Apple-Almond Pastry
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup (250 mL) sliced almonds, divided; 1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (50 mL) all-purpose flour; 1 whole egg; 1 egg yolk; 1/2 tsp (2 mL) almond extract; 1 pkg (17.3 oz/450 g) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed; 2 red baking apples such as Jonathan; 1/4 cup (50 mL) apricot jam, warmed; Powdered sugar (optional); vanilla ice cream or thawed, frozen whipped topping (optional)

Frozen puff pastry makes this European-style, open-faced tart easy to create.

Ingredients

1 cup (250 mL) sliced almonds, divided
1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (50 mL) all-purpose flour
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp (2 mL) almond extract
1 pkg (17.3 oz/450 g) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
2 red baking apples such as Jonathan
1/4 cup (50 mL) apricot jam, warmed
Powdered sugar (optional)
vanilla ice cream or thawed, frozen whipped topping (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grate 3/4 cup of the almonds using Rotary Grater. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine almonds, granulated sugar, flour, whole egg, egg yolk and almond extract; mix well and set aside. Unfold one pastry sheet onto lightly floured Large Round Stone with Handles. Roll to a 10 1/2-inch square using Baker's Roller®. (Corners of pastry will touch edge of baking stone.) Prick pastry with pastry tool.
Spread almond mixture evenly over pastry to within 1 inch of edge. Cut apples lengthwise in half; remove stems and seeds using Core & More. Slice apple halves crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices using Utility Knife. Arrange slices in an overlapping pattern over filling.
Using Pizza Cutter, cut remaining pastry into nine 1-inch-wide strips. Moisten outer edges of dough on baking stone with water. Arrange five of the strips diagonally over apples, twisting dough and pressing edges to seal; trim off any extra dough. Arrange and press remaining four strips of dough around edge of pastry, forming an even border.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden brown. Cool at least 10 minutes. Spread warm jam over apples and pastry. Place remaining almonds in Small Bar Pan; microwave on HIGH 5-7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring after each 30-second interval. Coarsely chop almonds using Food Chopper; sprinkle over pastry. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired; cut pastry into squares. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping, if desired.

Yield:

12 servings

Nutrients per serving:

U.S. Nutrients per serving: Calories 300, Total Fat 16 g, Saturated Fat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 6 g, Sodium 210 mg, Fiber 2 g

Cook's Tips:

Thaw puff pastry sheets at room temperature about 1 hour before using or microwave on 20% power for 3-4 minutes until thawed but still cold. Puff pastry that is too warm is difficult to work with.