Azerbaijani Badambura Recipe

Ingredients

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 1 cup (120g) ground almonds 1 cup (120g) ground almonds
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• For the glaze: For the glaze:
• 1 egg, beaten 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk 1 tablespoon milk
• For garnish: For garnish:
• Slivered almonds Slivered almonds

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 15g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 25g (10g sugars)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cold butter cubes, sugar, and salt. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Add the yogurt to the mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the ground almonds, sugar, cardamom, and cinnamon to prepare the filling.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. 5.
   Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
6. 6.
   Cut the dough into circles using a round cookie cutter or a glass. Place a spoonful of the almond filling in the center of each circle.
7. 7.
   Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly to seal. Use a fork to create a decorative pattern along the sealed edges.
8. 8.
   Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk to make the glaze. Brush the glaze over the pastries.
9. 9.
   Garnish each pastry with a few slivered almonds.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown.
11. 11.
    Allow the Badambura to cool before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for the filling to achieve the desired texture. You can grind whole almonds in a food processor or use store-bought almond meal.
• Yogurt — Plain yogurt adds moisture and tenderness to the dough. Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute if plain yogurt is not available.
• Cardamom and cinnamon — These spices are essential for the authentic flavor of Badambura. Adjust the amounts according to your preference for a stronger or milder taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a variation, you can add a teaspoon of rose water or orange blossom water to the almond filling for a floral twist.
• If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can increase the amount of sugar in the almond mixture.
• Make sure the butter for the dough is cold and cubed to achieve a flaky texture.
• If the dough becomes too soft while rolling, refrigerate it for a few minutes to firm it up.
• Serve the Badambura warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Badambura as a delightful dessert or enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee. These pastries are perfect for special occasions or as a sweet treat to indulge in.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Badambura on a platter, showcasing their golden-brown crust and garnish them with slivered almonds for an elegant touch. Dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.