Hojaldres de Astorga

Ingredients

• 2 sheets of puff pastry (400g) 2 sheets of puff pastry (400g)
• 1 cup (100g) ground almonds 1 cup (100g) ground almonds
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories: 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 15g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 25g (Sugar: 10g)
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, and lemon zest. Mix well.
3. 3.
   Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
4. 4.
   Cut the pastry into rectangles of approximately 4x6 inches.
5. 5.
   Spoon a generous amount of the almond filling onto one half of each rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. 6.
   Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling and press the edges together to seal.
7. 7.
   Place the filled pastries onto the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the beaten egg.
8. 8.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed up.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
10. 10.
    Once cooled, dust the pastries with powdered sugar 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 pre-ground almond meal.
• Puff pastry — If using frozen puff pastry, make sure to thaw it according to the package instructions before rolling it out.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top of the pastries before serving.
• Serve the Hojaldres de Astorga warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
• If you prefer a more citrusy flavor, you can add a few drops of lemon juice to the almond filling.
• Experiment with different fillings such as chocolate, fruit preserves, or even savory options like cheese and ham.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Hojaldres de Astorga as a dessert or a sweet snack. They are best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven, but can also be served at room temperature.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Hojaldres de Astorga on a platter and dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation. You can also garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for added visual appeal.