Almond bear claws

By MissiAnn

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter, cut in cubes
• 5 cups flour
• 1 tblsp yeast
• 1 1/4 cups half and half
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg white
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup almond paste
• 1 tblsp water
• Sliced almonds and sanding sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Toss the butter with 3 cups of the flour and refrigerate. In a mixing bowl, combine yeast and remaining flour. In a saucepan, heat cream, sugar and salt to 120. Add this to flour mixture with one egg. Stir in butter mixture just until moistened.
Turn this onto a floured surface, knead 10 times. Roll into a 21 inch by 12 inch rectangle. Fold dough in thirds. Cover and chill 1 hour.
For the filling, beat egg white till foamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and almond paste, beat till smooth.
Cut dough in half width wise. Roll each portion into a 12 inch square. Cut each square into 3 12x 4 inch pieces. Place filling down the center and fold long edges together. Cut in thirds. Place on cookie sheet. Cut the fingers 1/2 way through. Let these rise for 1 hour. Beat the egg and water for an egg wash. Brush on the top and add the sugar and almonds. Bake @ 375* for 15 minutes.