I have a strange little story to tell you about my family and Almond Croissants at the risk of sounding like complete neophytes. When we were young, my mother reported having no problems feeding my sister and I as babies (no shock there right?). I could be easily bribed with food as a child and as I grew up on a strict “Chinese food only” policy, I simply, desperately longed for treats from other countries.
Knowing this, my father used to try and entice better grades out of me by bribing me with food. But knowing that my I was always rummaging through the kitchen cupboards he sought out a different place to hide the food which would magically appear once I had done my homework. When he bought some almond croissants, he thought of the best place to keep them overnight-the boot of the car!
When he presented me with the almond croissant I sniffed it. “Why does it smell like petrol?” I asked him.
Notoriously tight lipped he didn’t answer and I ate it hesitatingly under his watchful eye. The croissant was flabby and soft and smelled like petrol more than it did of almond. I ate it as he was watching eagerly to see how I liked it but I can’t say that I was enamoured of it given the distinct petrol aroma.
I wouldn’t eat an almond croissant for about a decade afterwards. And then I tried a proper almond croissant. Fresh from the bakery. Not just a croissant that had some almond frangipane slapped inside it but a double baked croissant. Yep double baked. They’re dipped in a sugar syrup, filled with almond frangipane and topped with some and then sprinkled with flaked almonds. They are then baked again to give them an earth shattering crunchiness and a soft oozy inside. Almond croissants were originally created to make use of stale croissants. They are now my favourite type of croissant over the plain croissant or the pain au chocolat although they could rival a good croissant au jambon fromage (ham and cheese croissant) croissant. Or better still a ham and cheese for my main and an almond croissant for dessert please 
This recipe uses pre made croissants. Of course you could make these from scratch but this is a Slothful Sunday recipe and as such should be able to be made quickly, with a minimum of fuss and without taking out the heavy machinery. Everything can be prepared within about 15 minutes if that, and then the oven does the rest of the work.
So tell me Dear Reader, which is your favourite croissant?
Almond Croissants
Adapted from Chocolate and Zucchini
- 4 large day old croissants
- 2-3 tablespoons flaked almonds
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar
For syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon caster or superfine sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons light rum (optional)
For almond filling
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup ground almond meal
- a pinch of salt
- 50g (1/2 stick) unsalted room temperature butter, diced (take it out the night before if you need to or blitz it in the microwave on very low for a very short time if you need to)
- 1 egg
Note:You can make the syrup and the crème d’amandes up to a day in advance: transfer into separate airtight containers, and refrigerate.
1. Prepare the syrup: combine water, sugar and the rum (if using) in a saucepan. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, and simmer for a minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat, transfer into a shallow soup plate, and let cool completely.
2. Prepare the almond filling by combining 1/2 cup sugar, the almond meal and the salt in a bowl and mix until combined. Add the butter, and mix again until well mixed. Add in the eggs one by one, and mix until creamy.
3. Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Dip a croissant into the syrup, coating both sides and the ends well – the croissant should be quite moist. Slice horizontally like you would for a sandwich (I sliced the back as that seemed easiest), and place on the cookie sheet. Spread the inside with about two tablespoons almond filling, and place the top back on. Spread the top with another tablespoon of almond filling, and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Repeat with the remaining croissants and filling.
5. Put into the oven to bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the almond cream is set and golden. Transfer onto a cooling rack, dust with confectioner’s sugar, and serve, slightly warm or at room temperature. They will keep for a day. If you can resist them!
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84 Comments | Add your own
Mmmhhh, so delicious! A perfect weekend treat.
Cheers,
Rosa
What a brilliant way to use up croissants and make them way more interesting! I’m so tempted to try these.
Almond croissants ARE pretty special. I love plain ones right out of the oven, though. I’ve wanted to play with a white chocolate and raspberry or rose jam pain au chocolat though.
Almond croissants are so delicious,but I have to stay away from them or I will never fit my jeans… ;D
Chocolate! How can one ever resist chocolate!
Put the kettle on, get the paper out, and settle into a cosy dressing gown for the perfect weekend breakfast!
Oooooh, Lorraine. I am right there with you on the almond croissants. The great ones are straight from the throne of God.
The dodgy ones…well…
I love how you put in reach stuff it doesn’t even occur to me to make. Definitely one for the list!
How easy is this!! I’m so buying some croissants for next weekend (my rostered weekend off) and I’m so having a slothfull saturday and sunday. LOL.
That’s is exactly what I would like for breakfast this morning
I love almond croissants!! Also chocolate ones dipped in my hot mug of coffee… 
I should be so slothful…Yum…
They look divine. Perfect!!
I absolutely agree with anna! Its such a great way to breathe new life into stale croissants.
Personally, I would love to try Pierre Herme’s Ispahan croissants. So much raves I’d heard about them. Do u reckon they would be easy to make?
Thank you so much for the recipe!
I will make these for my Christmas morning this year!
Wish I had some of these for breakfast today
A cake person – NO! But croissants don’t count – do they? Almond ones are delicious, but my first choice is jambon fromage every time! Hmm – suddenly the planned stirfry for lunch does not sound so appetizing!
~~I can do this!!!! How equisitely French looking
xx
Yummm! Look delicious!
Do you have a Crossaint recipe you could share?
I’m having brunch at the moment and these look oh so good and tempting! Looks like I’ve found what I’m having for next Sunday!;)
I had that very lunch last week from La Renaissance patisserie
ham&cheese croissant for lunch with a almond croissant for dessert (and maybe a macaron 
)
Mmm…. Croissants are something I REALLY REALLY miss since going gluten free! I can’t believe I read the entire entry – what a tease!!
I adore almond croissants but had no idea that they were this easy to make! Thanks for putting ideas in my head
Oh Lorraine, I wish I hadn’t read this
Lorraine, you have me lusting after almond croissants now – these look fantastic. I have to say that the almond croissant is a winner for me.
Zatar (dried thyme/oregano, sesame and sumac mixed with olive oil) filled croissants are great if you like savoury croissants for breakfast – i like to also add labne (drained yoghurt), cucumber, tomato & mint to the zatar croissant.
Oh wow they look amazing! I fell in love with pan au chocolat last year in Paris. I haven’t had one since I’ve been home. I’ve convinced myself that it won’t be as good, otherwise I’d be eating them every day!
My favorite simple treat is warm croissant with apricot jam,easy to warm in microwave and best if you add the jam first:) tho now i will have to try these lovely almond ones,yum
Oh, Naz – now you’ve done it! Would never have thought of this cross-cultural infusion! Will I try it at the first opportunity – you’ve gotta be kidding!
PS – Go to Le’Spice to get your spices – you’ll be in seventh heaven!
Sounds like your dad had great intentions. Unfortunate about the petrol but nice that now you can have freshly baked almond croissants! xo
Funnily enough, I only ever eat savoury croissants (the ham and cheese variety – I’ve had one with some added bechamel sauce in it..oh my goodness, it was ecstasy). But hubby loves sweet croissants esp. the almond version. Thanks for the recipe, you know what they say, key to a man’s heart etc
Great recipe! Very brave of you to even eat that first almons croissant that smelled of petrol.
SSG xxx
Not fair .. it is after 10pm here and i live in the middle of nowhere, ie no stores around to go and get croissants to try out. Will possibly make one slight change and add chocolate to the topping … thank you for posting such a fun treat!
Drooling now! I am constantly amazed at how you are able to keep coming up with such delightful little stories. I always look forward to them.
I feel so embarrassed to admit that I’ve never really liked croissants all that much. *ducks head in shame* I’ve never tried an almond croissant before though, so maybe that could change things!
These are my favorite croissants! I never used to like almonds or marzipan but these are amazing. I will definitely try them when I’m off the detox. Thanks Lorraine!
I love your story! I was laughing as I read it out loud to my husband:) Your croissant looks wonderful. My favorite would be my homemade croissants. I only made them once, but we loved them so much!
Wow, I never knew almond croissants were for leftovers! There you go!
I love your anecdotes, Lorraine.
I’m assuming that first almond croissant you had was filled with artificial almond flavoring!! Those are disgusting. I’m glad you’ve come to enjoy the real deal!
Almond croissants are my favourite. Love that I don’t have to make my own pastry for these as croissants are always best before noon.
Almond croissants are my absolute favourite, especially the ones I have bought in Paris. The French baker at the Powerhouse markets in Brisbane does a mighty fine almond croissant as well, but now thanks to you I know how to make my own, and I will.
LOL at your petrol flavoured almond croissant!!! I have to say my favourite is plain, heated and served with gallons of butter (even though they are already baked with butter)! I’m lucky in that my parents didn’t always 100% eat Chinese food, we were once in a while treated to a bucket of KFC which my dad loves
This looks so yummy Lorraine! Very clever way to use them up~i love all your dining wares–just had to point that out.
In France there were places making croissants with both chocolate and almonds. How perfect!
I love croissants with ham cheese and tomato, nice and crisp and warm!
This sounds really delicious, I had the most amazing croissant when I was in Paris, just as is. They have never been the same since.
Great story, I bet your dad was so pleased with his plan, even though it was a bit of a let down. The almond filling sounds scrummy and photos are great,but something’s missing… where are your black finger nails?
The perfect antidote to a petrol stained croissant memory
Your poor Dad, he must have thought he was so clever until you asked about the smell!
Don’t think I’d ever have the problem of stale croissants in my house when I’m with a croissant lover
Havn’r had one of these in years!! Mum actually loves them and I do remember when she made them back in the day my parents owned a bakery. YUMMO!
Almond croissants are lovely little things to nosh (Yours are quite pretty, btw), but my loyalties lie with pain au chocolat; it’s kinda non-negotiable. :p
Oh my GOODNESS… I absolutely love Almond Croissants!!! LOVE!
Actually.. my first taste of croissants (plain) were when my Grandma served them with curry chicken.. and you know what… they went fabulously well together! Nom Nom!!
favourite will be a chocolate criossant
but I can’t say no to an almond version!
I must admit I didn’t really like these when I was a child and not because they smelled like petrol! I guess our tastes mature as we do and now they’re one of my treats occasionally – it must be that marzipan like centre which also didn’t appeal to me until I grew up!
You poor thing, the petrol croissant doesn’t sound like a treat. I looove croissant, but prefer the plane ones, or the ham and cheese version. Yum!
What a great way to use up old croissants – love it! Love C&Z as well – such a lovely blog and particularly good for Paris tips.
I love the idea of making something bought into something special… looks like an exotic sugar fish and so darn good.
I remember making my mother buy me spinach in a can like Popeye… she warned it would be awful..and it was… couldn’t even smell any spinach for years without gagging. Aren’t you glad we outgrow such things?
I’ve never heard of almond croissants before. What a fabulous idea! Love that your parents bribe you with food growing up. Too cute! xoxo Mum
Cute story, “smelling like petrol” LOL. I love my croissant plain, yep that’s it!
I love Almond croissants and could just keep eating them, so very dangerous for me.
I’ve yet to successfully make a batch of croissants at home but I will not give up!
When this happens I will post pics
PERFECTION! holy, ive never seen a bakery make anything remotely as good looking as what you made! <3
I’ve never tried an almond one – I suspect because I didn’t know that there was filling in there!
My favourite are chicken, cheese and avocado croissants!
Decadent deliciousness!! Love it! My favourite croissant is simply plain and warmed with a little strawberry jam on the side and a good coffee
Gorgeous! Love the story too.
Had me a little giggle!
I think petrol-scented anything would be enough to put me off food as well.. But these looks dang good!
Almond croissants are my favourite too! I used to like just plain croissants warmed up, until my sister introduced me to Dench bakers in Fitzroy and I was converted!
I really love an almond croissant but my favourite is plain
Mmmmmm. Croissants. Ham and cheese gets all: “Off the bone, jambon / proscuitto or double smoked? Gruyere, brie or emmental?” Chocolate = yummy. But almond croissants are tops. Pity the weekend’s just gone. Might have to organise some for tomorrow
Thanks Lorraine!
I love love love almond croissants! I don’t think I would ever attempt to make a croissant from scratch though, so this looks like a great recipe.
That is a fantastic idea! the problem is I strongly doubt there exists such a thing as ‘day-old croissants…’
What a cute story
I’m glad you got to taste a non-petrol croissant and fell in love!! hehe. I have such fond memories of sunday breakfasts growing up. Dad would go down to the bakery (he was the early riser in the family) and buy croissants. We would eat them with ham and cheese (cooked in the oven), jam or plain. I loved it 
My favourite now would probably be plain, but I do love to dress them up occasionally with jam or nutella or have an almond one.
Heidi xo
I have to say Almond…Love them, and add a little chocolate to the almond paste recipe and I’m yours for life! Gorgeous!
Ones from the shop in the corner of Rue du Rennes, made that morning by the gorgeous baker. Oh to be in Paris where the croissant taste better than anywhere else in the world.
I am very partial to almond croissants – never knew they were made that way – wonder if Sylvia would like these as she loves croissants with honey (shares them with her dad)
that story about your dad and croissants in the back of the car is very funny – says so much about you and food
Very cute story…funny how you deprived yourself of such a treat for so long as a result. Who would have ever thought of making an almond croissant at home? You of course, m’dear.
LOL!! Love the story of the petrol tasting almond croissants due to being hid under the hood of a car by your Dad. Soo cute, but so sad you avoided them for so long due to that!
Anyway..I actually buy day old or more croissants just so I can make these. They are fabulous! Yours look even more fabulous because I’m wanting one right now
Utterly charming and irresistible Lorraine. Love how you did these…and the story behind them of course!
Mmmm croissants… I’m so behind on blog reading, but I read this late last night then dreamt about it! I’ve never had an almond croissant – I think it’s a sign I need to get one
Pass on the petrol but pass me a croissant
Mmm yum! Def going to give this recipe a go… Only problem is try to keep the croissants for the next day!
sneaky! the bakery where i work makes almond croissants from scratch, and they are quite possibly the best thing i’ve ever eaten.
I adore almond croissants.
If you want a super super slothful Sunday then check out the ones you get from Le Bretagne Patisserie in Rose Bay (presuming its the same people there that were there 6 years ago) – my waistline thanked me for moving away!
You can find these tasty almond croissnats in a lot of Brussel’s bakeries over here! Yours looks just equally tasty!
Ham and Cheese from La Renaissance – also best hang-over cure!
Great recipe and love the blog – especially the recipe for Bacon Jam!
As an alternative to making almond paste, I found heating 100g of marzipan with 4 tsp water in a microwave on medium for 45secs works really well too.
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