Fry

Bear Claws

September 15, 2016
4.7
3 Ratings
Photo by Bobbi Lin
  • Makes 10 doughnuts
What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Almond Filling
  • 1 cup almond paste
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
  1. Make the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the almond paste, powdered sugar, and lemon zest to combine, 20 to 30 seconds.
  2. Add the egg and mix until well combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix to combine. Set the filling aside.
  3. Make the doughnuts: Heat 3 4 inches of oil over medium-high heat until it reads around 350°F on a thermometer (or throw a scrap piece of dough in as a tester—if the dough bubbles and rises to the surface, the oil is good to go).
  4. While the oil heats, roll out the doughnut dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into rectangles (I like about 2 x 4 inches).
  5. Place a heaping tablespoon of the almond filling on each piece of dough, and use an offset spatula to spread into an even layer.
  6. Starting with one of the longer sides, roll the dough into a tight log. Use a bench knife or knife to cut five incisions into the dough. Cut the dough into 5 segments, but don’t cut all the way through—leave them attached on one side. (You’re making the “toes” of the paw here.)
  7. Separate the cut pieces a little bit, then curl the doughnut into a half circle. Use your thumb to press each cut piece to make a “toe” look.
  8. Let the doughnuts rise, covered, on a lightly floured surface for 30 minutes to 1 hour. When the oil is hot, gently add the doughnuts to the pot in batches, frying until they’re golden brown on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes. (Note: some of the filling may leech out—that’s okay! If you’re frying multiple kinds of doughnuts, fry these last, as escaped filling may color/flavor the oil.)
  9. Drain the doughnuts on several layers of absorbent paper towels. Let cool for 5 minutes before dusting generously with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

I always have three kinds of hot sauce in my purse. I have a soft spot for making people their favorite dessert, especially if it's wrapped in a pastry crust. My newest cookbook, Savory Baking, came out in Fall of 2022 - is full of recipes to translate a love of baking into recipes for breakfast, dinner, and everything in between!

2 Reviews

creamtea September 19, 2016
The bears' paws I recall are curved the other way, with the slashes on the outside of the curved edge forming "toes".
 
creamtea September 19, 2016
(Like these : http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2012/12/how-to-make-bear-claws.html