The Best Braided Almond Croissant Danish Recipe

In this recipe, you will be guided through the steps to create this show-stopping Danish pastry at home. Whether you want to impress at a brunch gathering or indulge in a luxurious breakfast at home, the Braided Almond Croissant Danish will surely deliver. With detailed instructions and handy tips, even novice bakers will find themselves crafting bakery-quality danishes in no time.

Since you are here and love easy recipes, check out this Almond Croissant Blondies Recipe with Frangipane, this Easiest Blueberry Cheese Danish with Puff Pastry, or this World’s Best Fluffy Almond Flour Pancakes.

Ingredients for this braided almond croissant danish

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this flaky treat. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

For the Almond Frangipane Filling

• Almond Flour: is the base of the sweet almond filling. This is the white almond flour, not the almond meal.
• Granulated Sugar: sweetens the almond flour.
• Salt: balances out the sweetness while enhancing the other flavors as well.
• Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted so that we can add the salt in separately and control the amount better. You will also want the butter to be softened so pull it out of the fridge a little bit prior to preparing the recipe.
• Egg Yolk: adds moisture and holds the filling together.
• Almond Extract: delivers a strong and bold almond flavor, perfect with the almond flour filling.
• Vanilla Extract: adds a soft and subtle vanilla flavor that complements the almond and butter flavors well.

For the Danish Dough

• Puff Pastry: Make sure it is thawed in the fridge before beginning the recipe.
• Sliced Almonds: act as a garnish to add a visual aesthetic and an extra hint of almond flavor. Plus it will make it look like the almond croissants you get in store.
• Heavy Cream/ or egg wash: for brushing the pastry before baking, you can also use egg wash for this.
• Powdered Sugar: for dusting.

How to make braided almond croissant danish recipe

This is how you can make this delicious flaky pastry. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the oven temp, baking time, and full step-by-step instructions! 

1. To make the almond frangipane, cream together the almond flour, granulated sugar, and softened butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the egg yolk, almond extract, and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined and creamy. Set aside.
2. For the Danish, preheat your oven and line a baking tray with a sheet of parchment paper or silicone mat. Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface to smooth out any creases. If necessary, trim the edges to create a neat rectangle, then transfer the puff pastry to the prepared baking sheet.
3. Using a sharp knife, cut out diagonal strips that are about 1-inch wide on both of the ⅓ outer edges of the puff pastry.
4. To assemble the Danish, spread or pipe the almond frangipane down the center third of the puff pastry. Now starting from the top, fold the strips over the filling, alternating sides to create a braided pattern.
5. Brush the top of the braid of the entire pastry with the heavy cream, ensuring an even coating. Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top, place the almond Danish in the center of the oven, and bake until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
6. To serve, allow the Danish to cool slightly before dusting with confectioners’ sugar. You can also top it with a powdered sugar glaze drizzle if you’d like! Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
7. Enjoy your delicious braided almond croissant Danish with a rich almond frangipane center!

Why you need to make this recipe!

• This easy recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store.
• You’ll have so much fun making them with your kids or best friends.
• This homemade version is even better than what you would get at your local bakery. Hint hint, you can literally have it right out of the oven which is the best. Just be careful not to burn your tongue.
• It’s the perfect treat to make for weekend brunch or even as a holiday dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

How do i store leftover braided almond croissant danish?

To store, put the leftover danishes in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. For longer storage, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze them for up to a month.

When you’re ready to enjoy the next morning, reheat them in the oven to restore the flakiness.

Can i use different fillings?

Absolutely! While the almond filling was used for this recipe, you can experiment with various fillings such as cream cheese, raspberry jam and fruit compotes, or chocolate. If you use cream cheese, you could even try savory fillings by seasoning the cream cheese with garlic, jalapenos, and black pepper. Adjust the recipe to suit whatever you’re craving.

Is it necessary to brush with egg or heavy cream before baking?

An egg wash or brush of heavy cream is not strictly necessary, but it does give the Danish a beautiful, glossy finish. If you are serving this for other people, you might as well make take the extra step to make it beautiful so they can truly appreciate your hard work in making this Danish braid.

Can i make the almond filling in advance?

​Yes, you can prepare the almond filling a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Bring it to room temperature before spreading it on the dough for easier handling.

Can i use almond paste instead of almond extract?

I wouldn’t recommend substituting almond paste for almond extract. While both provide almond flavor, they differ significantly in potency and texture, which can impact the final result.

Almond extract is much more concentrated than almond paste, so you’d need to use three to four times the amount of almond paste to match the flavor intensity. Additionally, almond paste is sweetened, whereas almond extract is not, requiring you to reduce the sugar content accordingly. These changes make it challenging to predict how the recipe will turn out.

The Best Braided Almond Croissant Danish Recipe

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