Pithiviers

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Puff pastry is filled with with frangipane (rich almond paste) to make this pithiviers, a French specialty from the Orléans region.

Ingredients

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup almond flour
3 large egg yolks, divided
2 tablespoons rum
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2 Combine butter and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add almond flour, 2 egg yolks, and rum; mix until frangipane is smooth.
3 Roll out puff pastry sheets and cut into 2 equal circles. Place the first circle on the baking sheet and pierce several times with a fork. Spread frangipane on the circle, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
4 Brush uncovered puff pastry edge with a little water and lay the second puff pastry circle on top. Seal the edges by pressing together.
5 Using a sharp knife, cut a decorative pattern around the rim. Trace decorative lines onto the surface without cutting all the way through. Beat remaining egg yolk with a fork; brush over the top.
6 Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until pastry is puffed up and lightly browned, about 20 minutes more.
7 Remove from the oven and dust with confectioners' sugar.
8 Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
9 Place pithiviers under the broiler and broil until a golden, shiny crust forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure it doesn't burn.