Palmier with Homemade Almond Paste

2 sheets frozen puff pastry, store-bought

Almond Paste
3/4 cup Raw Almonds
3/4 cup Powdered Sugar
1 Egg White
1 tsp Almond Extract
A dash of Sea Salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons powdered sugar or 2 tablespoons water (optional)

Egg wash
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon milk

Powdered sugar for sprinkling (optional)

To make almond paste, add almonds to food processor and process until completely fine. Add in 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, egg white, almond extract and sea salt combine for a minute or two. Add sugar and vanilla extract and process until the mixture turns into a paste and starts to combine and gather in the processor.

If mixture is runny add 2 more tablespoons powdered sugar. If mixture is too dry, add 2 tablespoons water.

To make egg wash, mix egg yolk and milk.

Place puff pastry sheet on the counter to thaw for about 30 minutes. Lightly roll the dough, make sure to even out the seams.

Spread evenly half of almond paste.

Starting at a long side, roll up jelly-roll style, stopping in the middle. Starting at the other side, roll up pastry jelly-roll style to score mark.

Repeat with other pastry sheet.

Heat the oven to 400°F. Place a rack in the middle position.

Transfer the log to a baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes to give the dough time to firm up. This will make them easier to cut and also help them puff better in the oven.

After chilling, transfer the logs to the work surface. Use a sharp knife to slice the log across into cookies roughly 1/2-inch wide.

Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, laying them cut-side up. Brush with egg wash. Make sure to space the palmier a few inches apart — they will puff quite a lot in the oven!

Bake in batches if necessary; place the un-baked cookies in the fridge to chill between batches.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until dark golden.

Let the palmier cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. They will become crispier as they cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Palmier are best the day they are made, but can be stored in an airtight container for several days. They will gradually lose their crispiness over time.