The Bear Claw is a flaky pastry that can best be described as a cross between a Danish and a donut. Biting into one of these sweet treats brings a delicious burst of nutty almond flavor – perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
The bear claw has been an American favorite for almost a century. They’re a popular item at pastry shops and bakeries, and the perfect companion for your mid-afternoon cup of coffee. Spend some time honing your pastry-making skills with this bear claw recipe.
What Is A Bear Claw Pastry?
A bear claw is a sweet, flaky pastry that originated in California in the early 20th century. The pastry is usually semicircular in shape, with slices along the side. After baking, the slices separate into “fingers”, so the pastry resembles a bear’s claw.
What Is In A Bear Claw Donut?
Traditionally, a bear claw is filled with almond paste. This sweet filling is made with ground almonds and sugar, for a truly nutty taste. A bear claw may also have raisins or almond slivers. Bear claws can also be filled with other fillings such as cream cheese or strawberries. Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:
- Puff Pastry
- Almond Paste
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- Egg
- All-purpose Flour
- Sliced Almonds
What’s In The Bear Claw Pastry Filling?
In this recipe, we use the simple filling of almond paste. You can also add chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans.
How To Make Bear Claw Pastry
1. In a medium bowl, add almond paste, butter, and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until combined.
2. Add half of the beaten egg and all the flour. Beat until smooth.
3. Unfold the puff pastry and cut it into 6 equal pieces.
4. Spread a small amount of filling onto each piece of pastry.
5. Fold each piece and seal the edges.
6. Cut each rolled piece 4 times (3/4 of the way through the pastry). Separate the claws gently.
7. Brush the bear claw with the remaining egg and sprinkle with almond.
8. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Tips & Tricks For The Best Bear Claw Donut
- Make sure your almond paste and butter are soft before mixing. If it’s difficult to beat, you can microwave them for 15-20 seconds at a time until they’re soft.
- To ensure you get that classic claw shape, cut each piece of puff pastry 3/4 of the way through the pastry. Separate the claws gently before baking.
- Don’t worry if the almond filling seeps out while the claws are baking. You can always remove the excess before serving.
Shaping Bear Claw Donuts
Cut the puff pastry into equal rectangular pieces. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each piece. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together to seal.
Cut each piece 4 times (¾ of the way through the pastry), separate the claws gently for the nice bear claw shape.
FAQ
Is Bear Claw the Same as An Apple Fritter?
No, bear claws and apple fritters are not the same thing. Bear claws are typically filled with nuts and almond paste, while apple fritters are made with chunks of apple and cinnamon.
Does Dunkin Donuts Make Bear Claws?
Dunkin Donuts carries so many delicious pastries. Surprisingly, they do not have bear claws on their menu.
Does Krispy Kreme Have Bear Claws?
Krispy Kreme makes some of America’s favorite glazed donuts. However, they do not have bear claws on the menu. Luckily, you can make your own at home!
Where Can I Find Bear Claw Pastries?
Occasionally you can find them in bakeries, coffee shops, and donut shops. However, they’re also easy to make at home with this easy recipe.
What Flavor is A Bear Claw Donut?
The flavor of a bear claw donut comes from the nut and almond paste filling, which gives it a sweet and nutty flavor. Some recipes may also add cinnamon or vanilla extract to the filling for extra flavor.
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Bear Claw Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 4 oz almond paste softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg beaten and divided
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- optional powdered sugar for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add almond paste, butter, and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until combined.
- Add half of the egg and flour. Beat until smooth.
- Unfold the puff pastry and cut into 6 equal pieces.
- Spread a small portion of filling onto each piece of pastry. Spread it out evenly, leaving about ½ inch gap around the edges.
- Fold each piece into half and seal the edges.
- In order to create 5 fingers of the bear claw, cut each rolled piece 4 times (3/4 of the way through the pastry). Separate the claws gently.
- Brush the bear claw with the remaining egg and sprinkle with sliced almond.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with optional powdered sugar. Let the baked bear claws cool slightly on wire racks before serving.
Notes
- Make sure your almond paste and butter are soft before mixing. If it’s difficult to beat, you can microwave them for 15-20 seconds at a time until they’re soft.
- It’s completely normal if the filling seeps out during baking. You can remove the excess filling before serving.
- If you prefer to add a glaze, you can use melted chocolate or milk glaze (mixing together powdered sugar and heaving cream to your desired consistency).
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