Scandinavian Almond Pastry

Dough

1/2 c cold butter
1 c sifted flour
2 Tbsp cold water

Spread

1/2 c butter
1 c water
1 Tbsp almond flavoring
1 c flour
3 eggs

Topping

1 batch butter frosting
almond extract
sliced almonds

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.

To make dough: cut butter into flour with knives or pastry cutter. With a fork, gently add cold water. Pat into 3 strips, 12×3″ in size, 3″ apart on a cookie sheet. Set aside.

In a saucepan, begin spread by heating butter, water, and almond flavoring. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in flour until smooth. When mixture is lukewarm, add eggs, one at a time, mixing until smooth after each one.

Pour and smooth cooled spread over pastry dough. Bake for 60 minutes, or until top is crisp and brown. Add a tiny amount of almond extract to butter frosting and spread over pastry right out of the oven. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the top.

Source: Deann Fowler (submitted by Pamela Peterson)