Bear claw pastry made with puff pastry and a delicious almond filling is one of my favorite breakfast treats!
This almond bear claw is such an easy breakfast pastry and the perfect brunch or afternoon recipe. Serve it with other breakfast favorites like poached eggs and chocolate chip pancakes.
Bear Claw
Bear Claw
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Bear Claw Pastry Ingredients
- Almond paste – You can make your own or pick some up at the market.
- Butter – Unsalted butter.
- Sugar – White granulated and coarse sugar.
- Egg – Large, lightly beaten and divided.
- Flour – All purpose flour.
- Puff pastry – Thawed.
- Almonds – Sliced almonds.
Butter, flour, almond paste. sugar, almonds, eggs.
How do you make a homemade almond bear claw? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, break up the almond paste into smaller chunks and place into a food processor along with the butter and sugar. Pulse until chopped fine. Add in half of the beaten egg and flour, process until smooth.
⭐ Then, lay the puff pastry out onto the parchment lined sheet tray. Spread the almond paste mixture over half of the puff pastry sheet, leaving an inch perimeter around the pastry. Fold the pastry over the filling, crimp the edges together. Roll the edge under the bottom seam to make sure it is sealed.
⭐ Next, cut lines through the pastry to form the “claw”. Fan out the pastry slightly to separate the claws. Brush with the remaining egg all over. Sprinkle the sliced almonds and coarse sugar on top.
⭐ Finally, bake until golden brown. Let cool and serve.
Make the almond filling in a food processor, then spread it over half the puff pastry dough.
Preparation
Can you make a bear claw pastry ahead of time?
Yes! This is a great treat to make a few days ahead and enjoy for breakfast or as an afternoon snack during the week.
You can also prepare several and freeze for later.
What is almond paste?
Almond paste is a sweetened paste made of blanched blended almonds, sugar, almond extract, and egg.
Make 4 cutes into the pastry, spread it into an arc, brush with egg, and sprinkle with sugar and almonds.
Storage and leftovers
Does a bear claw pastry need to be refrigerated?
No, this can be kept at room temperature in an air tight container.
How long does a an almond bear claw last?
This will keep at room temperature for 2 – 3 days, in the refrigerator for 4 – 5 days, or longer if frozen.
How do you freeze pastry?
Allow the pastry to cool completely, then wrap in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Place the double wrapped pastry in a freezer bag for best results.
Thaw in the refrigerator and enjoy chilled or warm in a 350F oven for about 10 minutes.
Bake until golden brown.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ Make it with different fillings like fruit pie fillings or chocolate.
✅ Prepare three or four and stash the extras in the freezer for an easy treat later.
✅ Try drizzling with icing instead coarse sugar.
If filling seeps out, just cut it away to clean up the presentation if desired.
What to eat with your bear claw pastry (serving suggestions)
Serve this at your next holiday brunch with sherbet punch or Irish coffees and a tray of oven baked bacon and an avocado toast station!
Try making it with other fillings, like fruit or chocolate.
More delicious pastry recipes
- Chocolate cream cheese pastry
- Blueberry scones
- Cheese Danish
- Classic scone recipe
- Pumpkin spice pastry
- See all our pastry recipes!
Try making a few and freezing some for surprise company.
Other awesome breakfast recipes
- Air fryer French toast
- Breakfast burritos
- Sheet pan pancakes
- Hashbrown waffles
- See all our yummy breakfast recipes
This recipe makes one extra large bear claw, but you can cut the dough into fourths and make personal sized bear claws.
Tools we love
- Bakers half sheet – It’s cool, we only have about six of these bakers half sheets because they’re good for absolutely everything. Cookies? Yes! Steak? Yes! Cake? Oh yeh! Roasted veggies? Uhhhh huh!
- Silicone baking mats – Nothing sticks to these! Whaaaa?! Perfect for baking sugary cookies, or cheesy croissants or make some no bake cookies. You know why? Because nothing sticks to these!!!
😍😍😍
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How to Make a Homemade Bear Claw Pastry
Bear Claw
Ingredients
- 4 ounces almond paste
- ¼ cup butter unsalted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg lightly beaten, divided in two
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 2 teaspoons coarse sugar
Instructions
- Break up the almond paste into smaller chunks and place into a food processor along with the granulated butter and sugar.
- Pulse until chopped fine. Add in half of the beaten egg and flour, process until smooth.
- Lay the puff pastry out onto a lined baking sheet. Spread the almond paste mixture over half of the puff pastry sheet, leaving about an inch around the edges.
- Fold the unfilled half of the pastry over the filling, crimp the edges together and roll the edge under the bottom seam to make sure it is sealed.
- Make 4 cuts about ¾ of the way through the pastry to form the “claw” (it will make 5 "fingers").
- Fan out the pastry slightly to separate the "fingers". Brush with the remaining egg all over and sprinkle the top with sliced almonds and coarse sugar.
- Bake at 400°F for 16-18 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool at least a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Bear Claw
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Mildred Burba says
I think I would put cinnamon sugar on top.
Marsha says
Almonds on top with a sugar glaze
Tracey A says
Yummy icing, for me, please!
Charlotte says
I like sugar on my bear claw. Thanks for the recipe. These were yummmy. I made mini ones.
Pam says
I prefer icing on top. These look delicious!
Jennifer Fischer says
I love the traditional almond paste!
Linda says
I would love the icing on top. Can’t wait to make this recipe. You have awesome recipes! Thanks for sharing!!
Elizabeth says
Definitely cinnamon and sugar on top for me!
Susan says
I really prefer Sugar on top ! They do look yummy !
MaryB says
I’m a big fan of almond paste and a light icing! Yum.
Katherine Robinson says
I never thought about making bear claws at home before, but this recipe is so simple. I like the almond filling and think I will try making minis. Thanks so much for sharing.
Diana Wolpert says
One bear claw. The bigger the better.
Kathey Cosper says
I prefer icing on top! Looks delicious 😋
Brenda S. says
I prefer icing on top. Yummy!
Elizabeth Tarlow says
Looks so Yummy! My choice would be the Almond Paste filling with sliced Almonds & Icing on top!
Debbie says
How about one big bear claw AND several mini bear claws. No shame here.
Pam Dolen says
This sounds yummy! I actually don’t have preference of Almond or fruit filling , both sound delicious! I am easy going in most food! Sugar or cinnamon are both good toppings.
Lynda C says
I love bear claws with traditional almond filling and a drizzle of Confectioner’s glaze and lots of almonds on top. I never realized how easy it was to make them. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Amy R says
Definitely icing on top 😋
Frannie says
I’ll have icing! 😊