It’s lastly right here: my mother has agreed to let me share the recipe for her well-known almond kringle she makes yearly for Christmas morning breakfast. A slice of this almond kringle served heat out of the oven with a cup of espresso is considered one of my favourite issues I eat all yr. The almond-filled scents wafting from the oven are eternally synonymous with the coziest vacation feels.
My mother is the one who taught me to cook dinner, although it was an off-the-cuff training of merely spending time collectively within the kitchen and watching as she intuitively ready easy, scrumptious meals for our household rising up. However she’s at all times cherished a standout baking mission, and doesn’t shrink back from towering layer desserts or from-scratch butter croissants worthy of a French bakery. I’d put this almond bread within the latter class. Although it’s not sophisticated, it does have that “wow” issue that makes it really feel so particular and worthy of being the centerpiece of a vacation brunch.
Almond Kringle Substances
My mother’s almond kringle combines pantry staples like flour, sugar, and yeast with wealthy substances like heavy cream, butter, and almond paste to create a fantastically flaky and flavorful pastry. Including heat spices, crunchy sliced almonds, and almond extract ensures every chunk is as indulgent as it’s balanced.
Heat milk: Helps activate the yeast for a smooth, fluffy texture within the dough. Use milk that’s simply heat to the contact, not scorching.
White sugar: Sweetens the dough and offers meals for the yeast to ferment correctly.
Energetic-dry yeast: Important for leavening the kringle, creating its attribute gentle and ethereal texture.
Heavy cream: Provides richness and moisture to the dough, leading to a young crumb.
All-purpose flour: Offers the construction and elasticity wanted for the dough to carry its form.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the general taste profile.
Butter: Ensures the dough is tender and flaky, lending richness to each chunk.
Almond paste: The star ingredient of the filling, delivering a candy almond taste.
Sliced almonds: Provides texture and a nutty crunch to the filling and topping.
Cinnamon: Infuses heat and spice, complementing the almond’s sweetness fantastically.
Almond extract: Amplifies the almond taste.
Egg white: Creates a shiny end and helps the sliced almonds adhere to the kringle.
Sliced almonds (topping): Present a toasty, crunchy distinction to the smooth, flaky pastry.
My Mother’s Suggestions for Almond Kringle Success
From my mother: “I like to mix the dry ingredients in the food processor, then pulse in the butter till it is the size of small beans. It’s especially important to chill everything before getting started, including a marble rolling pin or board, to keep the dough from sticking.”
She jogged my memory that the rolling pin and marble board that she makes use of to make the bread (pictured above) belonged to my paternal grandmother Mo, who bought them years in the past so she might make my mother’s almond kringle, too! Proof of a real household custom. My mother took them for her personal when Mo handed away, and it’s such a candy option to bear in mind her each time she rolls out the dough for my grandmother’s favourite bread.
The recipe requires this loaf to be made right into a pretzel form, however for household gatherings, my mother began doing the center form just a few years in the past. I really like the way in which it appears to be like within the middle of our desk.
Serve Almond Kringle
There’s one thing magical about savoring a slice of almond kringle on a cold Christmas morning. I really like the buttery layers and candy almond filling completely paired with my favourite heat drink. Whether or not you’re sipping espresso pre-stockings or indulging with a wealthy scorching cocoa whereas unwrapping items, this pastry elevates the second into a comfy ritual. Its delicate sweetness and nutty depth appear tailored for quiet mornings stuffed with vacation cheer.
For storing leftovers: Retailer any leftover kringle in an hermetic container. While you’re prepared for an additional slice, a fast warm-up within the oven brings again its just-baked aroma and flaky texture. When shared with family members, this almond kringle turns into greater than a pastry—it’s the center of your vacation morning.
Scroll on for the recipe. I’d love to listen to what vacation traditions you’re celebrating within the feedback!
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Description
A buttery, flaky almond kringle stuffed with a wealthy almond paste and crushed almonds for the proper vacation deal with.
1/2 cup heat milk
3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon white sugar (divided)
1 (.25 ounce) envelope energetic dry yeast
1 cup heavy cream
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 (8 ounce) can almond paste
1/2 cup crushed sliced almonds
1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg white, crushed
1/2 cup sliced almonds
In a small bowl, stir collectively the milk and 1 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle the yeast excessive and let stand for 10 minutes to dissolve. Stir in cream.
In a separate bowl, stir collectively the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt. Lower within the butter utilizing a pastry blender or pinching together with your fingers till it’s a course mealy texture. Stir within the yeast combination till effectively blended. Pat right into a ball, flatten barely, then wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
To make the filling, combine the almond paste, almonds, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and almond extract utilizing an electrical mixer till evenly blended. It might be crumbly.
Roll the chilled dough out right into a 24-inch large and 18-inch lengthy rectangle. Unfold the filling to inside 2 inches of the perimeters and roll up right into a tube. Cowl your work floor with sugar, and roll the tube of dough within the sugar to coat completely. Roll and stretch the dough out to type an extended rope about 36 inches lengthy.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and form right into a pretzel or coronary heart form.
Brush the highest of the dough with egg white and sprinkle with almonds. Cowl loosely with a towel and let rise for 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Bake the kringle within the preheated oven till golden brown, 25 to half-hour. It’s possible you’ll have to cowl it with foil for the previous couple of minutes of baking to forestall over-browning. Lower into slices and eat!
Notes
This bread could be made prematurely and frozen for as much as a month, wrapped fastidiously in foil. Thaw Christmas morning and bake until heat on a cookie sheet. Cowl flippantly with foil to forestall over-browning.
