Travesseiros de Sintra

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup (120ml) ice water 1/2 cup (120ml) ice water
• 1 cup (100g) ground almonds 1 cup (100g) ground almonds
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 4 large egg yolks 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 16g (5g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 24g (12g sugars)
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, egg yolks, and almond extract. Mix until well combined and set aside.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. 5.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick.
6. 6.
   Spread the almond filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
7. 7.
   Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 1-inch slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
8. 8.
   Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Dust 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 store-bought almond meal.
• Butter — Using cold butter is crucial for achieving a flaky pastry. Make sure to cube the butter and keep it refrigerated until ready to use.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, you can sprinkle some ground cinnamon over the almond filling before rolling the dough.
• If you prefer a sweeter pastry, you can add a tablespoon of powdered sugar to the almond filling mixture.
• Serve the Travesseiros de Sintra warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• These pastries can also be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Serving advice

Serve Travesseiros de Sintra as a delightful dessert or enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Travesseiros de Sintra on a serving platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar. You can also garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of elegance.