Almond Croissant Puff Pastry Swirls

These almond croissant puff pastry swirls start with a flaky, golden puff pastry swirled and filled with homemade almond frangipane and topped with cherries and sliced almonds. These bakery-style treats are easy to make at home and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. They freeze beautifully, so make extra!

They look really fancy, but come together in almost no time. When puff pastry bakes, it comes out similar to a croissant with a buttery, flaky crumb. So, filling it with a luscious, creamy almond frangipane just seemed to make sense. I twist them into a swirl for a bit of elegance, and I top them with a red cherry for juicy freshness and bright color. They come out puffed, golden, and beautiful with the creamy almond frangipane oozing out. It’s going to taste just like an almond croissant!

Why are these almond croissant puff pastry swirls so good?

Crunchy, toasted almonds.

What do I need to make Almond Croissant Puff Pastry Swirls?

Puff pastry sheets -thawed if frozen, and you don’t even have to roll them out. Just make sure there’s a piece of parchment paper underneath to make it easier to work with.

Almond slices – I love to sprinkle these on top before baking for a garnish and a bit of crunch.

Cherries -use tart cherries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or blueberries as a garnish for a fresh pop of flavor. If you make these swirls in the fall, try a cube of pear or apple.

Powdered sugar -for dusting the baked pastries for a finished look, and to add a touch of sweetness to the outer flakiness.

Heavy cream -I don’t care for the flavor of egg wash on some pastries, so I brush a little heavy cream on top of the rolls before baking to help them brown.

What’s in almond frangipane?

Unsalted butter -melted to help blend all the ingredients together without adding a salty flavor to the swirls.

Granulated sugar -cane or white both work well to sweeten the frangipane perfectly.

Eggs -be sure your eggs are at room temperature, so the butter doesn’t solidify. If you forget to take them out ahead of time, put them in a bowl of room-temperature water and change them out every few minutes until the eggs are room temperature.

Pure almond extract – use a good-quality extract, since this is the predominant flavor.

Vanilla extract – also use good-quality vanilla because it complements and highlights the almond so well.

Almond flour -adds moisture and gives the frangipane that exceptional, nutty flavor.

Zest of 1 lemon -or orange if you prefer. It brightens the thick, creamy frangipane with a hint of citrus, making it spoon-worthy.

How do I make frangipane?

Combine the melted butter with the sugar, eggs, almond and vanilla extracts, almond flour, and citrus zest in a mixing bowl. Stir until smooth. If the mixture seems too runny, add up to 1/4 cup more almond flour.

How do I fill the puff pastry with almond frangipane?

Unfold each sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Divide the frangipane evenly between the two sheets and spread it into a thin, even layer, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold each pastry sheet in half like a book to enclose the filling.

How do I create the pastry swirls?

Cut each folded sheet into strips about 2 cm wide. Gently wrap each strip around your fingers to create a swirl or rosette shape. Place each swirl on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with heavy cream. Press one cherry (or berry) into the center of each swirl and sprinkle with sliced almonds.

What can I do to help the swirls hold their shape?

Freeze for 10–15 minutes. This is optional, but it helps them hold shape. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) while the pastries are in the freezer.

How long do I bake these?

Bake the swirls for 20–25 minutes, or until they are puffed, golden, and cooked through. For a crispier finish, bake on the lower rack to brown the base nicely. Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Can I leave these in the freezer to always have on hand?

Yes! These almond croissant puff pastry swirls can be assembled ahead and frozen before baking. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the baking time..

What’s the best way to serve my swirls?

These are just as good with a cup of coffee in the morning as they are for dessert after dinner with a cup of tea. If you’re serving them to a crowd, choose a beautiful serving tray to pile them high on.

For the Almond Frangipane: