Easy Almond Croissants are flaky and buttery and packed with a sweet almond filling and topping! Turn crescent rolls into perfect homemade croissants with this easy recipe.
You can’t beat the convenience of baking with crescent rolls. We use them in this Veggie Pizza recipe and Pigs in a Blanket too!
What is a Croissant
A croissant is a flaky, buttery pastry rolled into a crescent shape and baked until golden brown.
The croissant’s close association with all things Parisian (and its French name) makes most pastry lovers assume it was invented in France. While croissants have been a staple in French bakeries for centuries, they were actually invented in Austria then later brought to France by Viennese bakers.
Traditional versions are made from layers of yeast dough that’s brushed with butter and folded multiple times to create the delicious layers. The buttery flavor in a well made croissant is tasty enough all on its own, but even better stuffed with all kinds of savory or sweet fillings.
Our Almond Croissants recipe is a sweet, nutty variation on the crescent shaped pastry. And we make it easier by using a refrigerated dough!
Easy Ingredient List
- Refrigerated crescent rolls – Making croissants from scratch takes more time and effort than most home bakers have to spare! Using unbaked crescent rolls for almond croissants is the perfect hack for home bakers.
- Almond paste gives the smooth filling in these croissants its irresistible nutty taste.
- Butter provides richness and flavor.
- Brown sugar is blended with the almond paste and butter to create a perfectly sweet almond filling.
- Sliced almonds pressed into the top of the croissants for a little crunch and pretty presentation.
We dusted our almond croissants with a little powdered sugar but it’s not necessary to make the croissants look as good as they taste!
How To Make Easy Almond Croissants
Making homemade croissants with almond filling is easier than you might think. Because we’re using a ready made dough, a lot of the work is already done for you!
- First, combine the filling ingredients. Use a food processor or electric mixer to beat together the butter, brown sugar and almond paste until well blended.
- Next, unroll and fill the crescent rolls. You’ll have 8 triangles of dough. Spoon a little of the almond filling onto the center of each one. Roll up the triangles into crescents and place them on a baking sheet.
- Finally, add the almond topping. Spread the remaining almond filling on to the top of the crescent rolls. Press on the almond slices.
- Bake Almont Croissants for about 12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Let cool slightly and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Mix filling well. It takes a few minutes of beating for the thick almond paste to soften enough to combine with the other ingredients. That’s why I recommend using a food processor or electric stand mixer instead of mixing by hand.
- Almond croissants taste best the same day. I recommend serving them while still slightly warm from the oven for best flavor.
Recipe FAQs
Unfortunately, there’s no good substitute for the almond paste in this recipe. It’s essential for the almond flavor and smooth consistency in the filling. If you can’t find it at your local store, you can order almond paste online to make this recipe.
If you don’t have crescent rolls where you live, you can use puff pastry to make this recipe instead! Let the pastry dough thaw at room temperature and slice it into triangles to use it in this croissant recipe.
Adjust the baking time and temperature for the croissants based on the puff pastry package directions.
I leave the ends uncurled and do not pinch the dough together to give these a classic croissant look. You can certainly pinch the dough to seal in the filling if you prefer. It won’t affect the taste of the almond croissants.
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Easy Almond Croissants
Ingredients
- 4 ounce almond paste
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 Tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat together the almond paste, brown sugar, and butter. You can also use a food processor if you prefer. The almond paste is firm, and will take a few minutes to soften and combine with the other ingredients!
- Unroll all 8 triangles from the package. Place a big dollop of almond mixture in the center of the roll, and roll it up without curling the edges. Place on a baking sheet.
- Using the remaining almond filling, spread a dollop on the top of each crescent roll and press in the sliced almonds.
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 12-14 minutes, until rolls are golden brown. Remove from oven and enjoy!
- These are best served the same day!
Notes
- You can also use Puff Pastry, just make sure to thaw it for about 45 minutes at room temperature, and bake according the package (400°F for about 14-16 minutes, until you see that beautiful golden brown color)!
- Mix filling well. It takes a few minutes of beating for the thick almond paste to soften enough to combine with the other ingredients. That's why I recommend using a food processor or electric stand mixer instead of mixing by hand.
- Almond croissants taste best the same day. I recommend serving them while still slightly warm from the oven for best flavor.
Nutrition
Grab a can of crescent rolls and make these flaky, buttery Easy Almond Croissants.
Would the extras freeze well before baking? There’s only two of us, and the notes say they’re best the day they’re baked. I was thinking of prepping all the dough with the filling, baking what we want that day, and freezing the rest to be baked later.
I love the flavor of almonds in pastries and cookies
So perfect to make! Thanks you!
I have made these twice and though very tasty almost all of the almond filling bakes out of the crescent rolls. What am I doing wrong? I’m rolling up like I would a crescent roll…am I supposed to be pinching the “roll” closed so the filling can’t escape?
That’s what I did, folded over the ends and pinched to seal, these are soooo good!!!!👩🏼🍳👩🏼🍳👩🏼🍳🌰🌰🌰
These look fabulous! Love cruising too and love the international Cafe on Princess!
It’s a delicious way to spend your breakfast 🙂
Years ago you could by a package of bear claw pastries that were basically the same thing. Almond filling in a croissant/puff type pastrie with a light sugary drizzle. sprinkled with slivered almonds. Now adays a bear claw is filled with raisin type filling and quite a dissappointment. I will have to try this recipe and savor the good ole days:)
ENJOY 🙂
Love Princess Cruises can’t wait to take another. And these Almond Croissants look absolutely delicious. I love the flavor of almonds in pastries and cookies 🙂
It looks as though you had a fantastic trip! I spent many mornings at the International Cafe on the Ruby Princess, but never tried the almond croissants (ugh). Love your take on them!
I guess you’ll just have to go on another cruise to try them 🙂
great idea for healthy , thanks you!
How do I store these?
EFF YES to these . I freaking love crescent roll creations like this!
These look soooo perfect!
This really takes me back! Great recipe and now all I need is someone to bake it and bring it to me 😉
These look really yummy!! Never been on a cruise because I can’t get up the nerve.
Agreed! We just recently cruised to the Panama Canal on the Coral Princess, had such great food. And our favorite place was the International Cafe, too. It’s perfect any time of day!