Almond Bear Claws
Filled with almond paste and topped with sliced almonds, these Almond Bear Claws are a fun and tasty breakfast treat!
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Do you share a birthday with anyone really cool? I share a birthday with Michael Flatley (the Irish dancer), Claude Lemieux (hockey player) and Will Ferrell (comedian). All in all, I’m proud to share a birthday with these legends. But as famous as they are, none of these legends are a pet worm.
That’s right – a worm. Did you know that Slimey the Worm’s birthday is September 19? Yup, Oscar the Grouch’s pet worm celebrates his birthday on September 19. You know who else also celebrates a birthday on September 19? My wife. And you better believe I remind her each and every year that she shares a birthday with a worm! (On a side note, I think Slimey the Worm has to be one of the best Muppets characters of all time – talk about a trip back to my childhood.)
September 19 also happens to be famous for another reason. It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arrrr, matey! Avast! Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum! <– Did pirates actually say this? Methinks not. Nevertheless, I spend the entire day walking around celebrating Slimey’s birthday while talking like a pirate. It’s pretty epic! Oh, and there’s my wife’s birthday in there, too. Hah!
Almond Bear Claws
In honor of Laura’s birthday, I made her a batch of these Almond Bear Claws over the weekend She absolutely loves anything and everything involving almond paste, and these bear claws are almond-y in the most delicious way possible! Panera made Bear Claws famous, but these really are quite simple to make at home.
To make these bear claws, all you have to do is make an almond filling and fold it up in strips of puff pastry. Puff pastry takes all of the work out of this recipe! No need for all purpose flour, active dry yeast or butter here. Just lay out puff pastry, fill it with the almond filling, add a couple of almond slices to one edge and bend the pastry to look like a bear claw pastry, and that’s it. Nice and easy!
For the longest time, I confused a bear claw with a fritter. I have no idea why. Perhaps way back in my childhood, someone gave me a fritter and called it a bear claw. Whatever the reason, I always told Laura I wanted bear claws. Then we showed up to a family event at her workplace and they had bear claws for breakfast. Laura was all excited. Me on the other hand? I was in the corner looking around for the fritter!
It turns out I was completely wrong about bear claws. They are quite tasty, but they are nothing like a fritter. In truth, I’d still go for a fritter…but I wouldn’t be sad about either one. This recipe for Almond Bear Claws is a keeper for sure! We enjoyed this batch quite a bit, and I can promise you these will become regular treats around here – perhaps for Slimey the Worm’s birthday each year! Enjoy!
Storing Leftover Bear Claws
Leftover bear claws should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. I do recommend reheating them for a couple of seconds in a microwave (or a minute or two in a toaster oven). Of course, if your family is anything like ours then leftovers aren’t a problem!
Did you make a batch of these Almond Bear Claws at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). I’d love to see your version!
Almond Bear Claws
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
- ½ cup almond paste
For the Bear Claws
- 1 17.3-oz. package frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 Tbsp milk
- ½ Tbsp honey
- 3 Tbsp coarse sugar such as sanding sugar or turbinado
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup sliced almonds
For the Glaze
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- 4 tsp milk
Instructions
For the Filling
- Using a medium bowl, add egg white; beat until foamy. (Note: Save the egg yolk as it will be used later in recipe.) Add powdered sugar and almond paste; mix until smooth.
For the Bear Claws
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
- Working on a well-floured surface, roll each sheet puff pastry into a 9”x9” square. Cut each sheet into 9 (3”) squares.
- Working with one square of dough at a time, spread ~2-3 tsp of almond paste mixture onto the center of each strip. Fold dough over and press edges to seal. Repeat process until all squares have been filled.
- Cut (4) 1” slits approximately ½” apart along one edge of each piece. Carefully bend each piece to resemble a claw. Place bear claws on prepared baking sheets.
- Using a small bowl, whisk the reserved egg yolk, milk and honey together. Brush this mixture on top of bear claws.
- Using a small bowl, combine the sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly on top of bear claws. Finally, sprinkle almonds evenly on top of cinnamon-sugar mixture. (If necessary, lightly brush the tops of bear claws with more egg wash so that the almonds stick.)
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until golden brown. Let bear claws cool on wire racks for at least 10 minutes before serving.
For the Glaze
- Using a small bowl, add the powdered sugar and milk; whisk together until smooth. Using a piping bag with a small round tip (or a plastic ziptop bag with one corner snipped off), drizzle glaze on top of bear claws. Let glaze dry before serving.
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Lol! Happy birthday to your wife!! I bet these bear claws would go over so well for any birthday. I’d sure pick them over cake! And I’d also bet that they’d be awesome on Monday morning with my coffee to start the week off on a delicious note 😉
Bear claws go over well no matter whether it’s your birthday or not! 🙂 But to be fair, I don’t think I could pick bear claws over cake. Instead, I’ll just pick both – bear claws for the morning, cake for the rest of the day!
I hope Laura had a wonderful birthday! These bear claws are a delicious way to celebrate. Bear claws are one of my favorite indulgences and making them at home sounds like a great way to have them at anytime! 🙂
Laura did indeed have a good birthday – thanks, Kathy! Bear claws truly are a delicious indulgence, aren’t they? And they are so easy to make at home! I have to be careful or else I’d eat the entire pan. Haha!
These are fabulous! I dind’t know it was as easy as using puff pastry! Saving for the holidays. I think I share my BD with Barbra Streisand. Not too excited about that…
Haha! There’s got to be someone else besides Barbra Streisand with your birthday!? Either way, these bear claws are good for birthdays or as you noted the holidays. They are easy to make, and even easier to eat! 🙂 Thanks, Mimi!
This is a good recipe. Only thing I’ll say is if you’re making small squares like in the recipe… I’d only add 1tsp per square. Otherwise delicious!
Thanks for the tip, Jennifer – I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
Oh how I would love one (or 5) of these right now with my coffee! Happy bday to your wife. 🙂 ~Valentina
Haha! I could go for about 5 of these with my coffee right now, too, Valentina. Hope you’re doing well, my friend!
Aww Happy belated bday to Laura! I LOOOOVVVEEE anything involving almond paste too, so I will eat all the bear claws with Laura while you look around for the fritters lol!
Haha! That sounds like a plan – I’ll look for fritters while you and Laura down all of the bear claws. 🙂 But you have to promise to bring some sweet treats up with you from the city, too. Deal?
David a big belated birthday to Laura and slimy the worm. If Laura enjoys almond paste pastries, she love it around here. I love real Danishes with almond paste. I enjoy all things with almond paste. But, we’re a nut-free home. Although, if I’m out and about and drop into the konditori (think patisserie) I grap a pastry with almond paste. Have you ever had a Semlor bun? I think Laura would enjoy those as well as Robbie and you. I can send you the translated recipe if you like.
Not nuts allowed in the house, but I’ll be passing this on to my MIL as she loves baking hacks…
We do love celebrating Slimy the Worm’s birthday around here. 🙂 Not surprisingly, Laura does love Danishes. Oh, how I would love to eat my way across the country stopping at all of the konditori. What a fun trip that would be! 🙂
And I understand about the nut-free thing. Perhaps your MIL could make a batch and you could nibble on one? Panera made these famous, but they are SO easy to make at home. Cheers, my friend!
When I first read ‘pet worm’ I though it was a typo, lol! I bet these bear claws made pretty happy on her birthday morning, despite who she shares a birthday with. 😉 I’m a sucker for anything that involves almond paste so these look amazing to me!
Nope, not a typo at all. I mean it’s pretty special to share a birthday with Oscar the Grouch’s pet worm! 🙂
As you noted, I also enjoy almond paste, so these bear claws didn’t last long around here. Even Robbie got in on the fun! And we all sang happy birthday to Laura…and Slimy. Haha!
Happy belated birthday to Laura!
These bear claws look very delicious. I’ve never heard this name before (or I just didn’t pay attention), and I’ve certainly never tried one either.
Now, when I saw the recipe name first time (in my email notification), I seriously was confused for a few seconds thinking that you might have gone hunting! Lol I am glad you didn’t. Interesting that this type of pastry also has a wikipedia’s page. I mean if wikipedia’s featured bear claws, I must give it a try, right? Now let’s hunt for a couple of delicious almond bear claws!
Haha! Nope, no bear hunting here for me. I don’t think I would know where to begin with hunting or cooking bear – can you even cook bear!? (Don’t answer that.)
However, the pastry does indeed kinda look like a bear claw, right? Panera (a national sandwich shop here in the States) made this pastry famous, but they are SO easy to make at home. I highly recommend trying them out, Ben – after all, it’s not often you get to say you eat bear claws for breakfast. 🙂
I hope that Laura had a very happy birthday! I know I would be in a great mood if I was enjoying these. So delicious!
Thanks so much, Alex! Laura did indeed have a good birthday, and we all enjoyed these bear claws as a sweet treat!
What a fantastic recipe using puff pastry, David! Happy belated birthday to Laura! (And to answer your question, I share a birthday with Prince Harry…!)
Ok, Prince Harry isn’t too bad to share a birthday with. I mean he isn’t Slimy the Worm, but he’ll do. 🙂
And, yes, Bear Claws are a great way to use puff pastry. So easy, but so tasty! Thanks, Michelle!
a bear claw? sounds delightful. they remind me of an almond croissant, which is always a good thing. and puff pastry is a winner every time!
You know, bear claws are indeed similar to almond croissants. Slightly different shape, but the general concept is the same. And like almond croissants, these bear claws are delicious! 🙂 Thanks, Sherry!
Yo Matey- the coolest person I share a birthday with is me myself and I! JK JK! Seriously I have no clue but so LOVE this post – such a fun read, David! Happy belated birthday again to Laura! I’m meh about regular beat claws – bear claws were such a hit at the bakery I used to work at while college (before Panera)- but, bear claws with almond paste are almost like Costco cake to me – irresistible!!! I totally understand Laura’s love for almond paste – that stuff us so good!
Btw – have y’all had an almond croissant? That same bakery I mentioned Made one that was stuffed with almond paste And topped with almond cream and slivered almonds – I’ll drone some to Laura – but my drone runs on almond bear claw fuel so you might have to load my drone up with some of these before sending her back! 🙂
Haha! I like that one, Shashi – me, myself and I. 🙂
I’m with ya on bear claws. They can be kinda boring and doughy…but the almond paste makes a huge difference! They are indeed kinda like an almond croissant – that’s another favorite here. Send that drone on up here. I’ll load it with bear claw fuel for the return trip! Haha.
Ahoy, David me hearty! I would love it if me birthday were on Talk Like a Pirate Day! Thank ye fer th’ bear claw recipe!
Aaarrrhhhh, matey.
Happy belated birthday to Laura. I have a granddaughter that has a birthday on Sept. 19th. I share a birthday with a really cool person (at least in my world) my hubby and I have the same birthday Oct. 15th. I remember when I was a kid my mom would buy bear claws, I haven’t had one in years. These look so good. I will have to try this recipe!!
No way! That’s cool that you have a granddaughter with a birthday on Sept. 19. And you and your husband have the same birthday!? That’s crazy. Do you get 2 cakes?? 🙂
You should totally try this bear claw recipe, Dawn. These bear claws really are quite simple to make!
My mouth is watering guys! I can’t wait to try this!
Thanks, Dennis!
Happy birthday to all! Gosh, I haven’t made a bear claw in over 20 years, and you’ve got me wanting to make them. Had kinda forgotten about them. We made them with “Danish dough,” which is a yeasted type of puff pastry with eggs and, of course, tons of butter. They were a time-consuming pain to make. I LOVE the idea of using store-bought puff pastry for these instead. I’m thinking these would make wonderful holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. Thanks for the brilliant recipe!
That’s funny that you mention the Danish dough version of Bear Claws. I do like the ease of puff pastry, but I am also still intrigued by the more traditional version. I’ve never minded a recipe that takes a while to make – it’s part of the fun of it! Either way, the puff pastry ones are perfect when you need a tasty treat in very little time. I agree that these would make fun gifts for the neighbors at the holidays. Cookies are great – but we always get “cookie overloaded” that time of year.
These bear claws would be a huge hit at our house, David! I love the almond paste filling! Happy Birthday to Laura!
Thanks so much, Kelly! I’m with ya on almond paste – it’s such a unique and delicious ingredient. Bear claws for everyone! 🙂
You’re July too! For me it would be JLo, Amelia Earhart and Kyle Kuzma to name some.
Also thanks for the recipe, that is really easy specially when you use ready made puff pastry, this will be a keeper and will be making one soon.
I am indeed a July baby. I’ve always liked the July birthday as it falls smack in the middle of the year. Although I do recall having trouble planning birthday parties when I was a kid as friends would be away on vacation. Either way, I do highly recommend making these bear claws. A sandwich shop here in the States (Panera) made these treats famous, but they’re actually very easy to make at home!
Wonderful recipe! I had no idea this was so easy to make (and this is even after I discovered my puff pastry was too old to use and I had to make some from scratch.) will definitely make again. Was sweet enough for our tastes without the glaze
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jenny! And making puff pastry from scratch, too? Impressive!!