Jesuítas - Spanish Almond Pastries

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
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• 1 egg, beaten 1 egg, beaten
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 14g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 8g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest. Mix well.
3. 3.
   Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a rectangular shape.
4. 4.
   Spread half of the almond filling evenly over the pastry, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. 5.
   Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll the pastry into a log shape.
6. 6.
   Repeat steps 3-5 with the second sheet of puff pastry and the remaining almond filling.
7. 7.
   Cut each log into 1-inch thick slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
8. 8.
   Brush the tops of the pastries with beaten egg.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
11. 11.
    Dust the cooled pastries with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Puff pastry — Ensure that the puff pastry is thawed according to the package instructions before using it in the recipe. This will help achieve a flaky and golden result.
• Ground almonds — For the best texture, use finely ground almonds. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until they reach a fine consistency.

Tips & Tricks

• To add a twist to the flavor, you can sprinkle some cinnamon or almond extract into the almond filling.
• If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can drizzle a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice over the cooled pastries.
• Serve the Jesuítas warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Jesuítas can be enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee or a glass of Spanish sherry for a perfect pairing.

Serving advice

Serve the Jesuítas as a delightful dessert or enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for a sweet treat during the day. They can also be served as part of a brunch spread or as a special addition to a holiday dessert table.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Jesuítas on a serving platter, dusted with a generous amount of powdered sugar. You can also garnish them with a sprinkle of finely chopped almonds or a twist of citrus zest for an elegant touch.