Shrove Tuesday Buns (semlor)

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (1 ounce) packet active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup warm heavy cream or 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 -3 1/4 cups pre-sifted flour
• 1/4 lb almond paste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped

Recipe

• 1 dissolve yeast in warm water.
• 2 beat egg slightly and mix half of it with the cream and add to yeast.
• 3 add sugar, salt, cinnamon, butter and a little of the flour.
• 4 add more flour, a little at a time, beating with a wooden spoon to make a soft dough.
• 5 you can use a mixer instead of a spoon, but just don't over do it!
• 6 turn dough onto floured board and knead until smoooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• 7 make this when you are frustrated, and the time will fly by! it's good therapy!
• 8 place dough in a lightly buttered bowl, and turn once to grease surface.
• 9 cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled. (about 1 1/2 hours.).
• 10 now go rest and give your arms a break!
• 11 when light and doubled, punch down, turn out onto your floured board again and knead lightly til smooth.
• 12 divide dough into 10 equal pieces and shape each piece into round buns.
• 13 place buns onto greased cookie sheet.
• 14 let rise in warm place until almost doubled in size.
• 15 brush each with remaining egg.
• 16 bake in 400 degree oven til golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
• 17 cool on rack.
• 18 cut off top slice from bun with a sharp knife.
• 19 insert a slice of almond paste into bun, garnish with a generous spoon of whipped cream, replace top, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• 20 *traditionally served in deep individual dishes with hot milk and cinnamon, but i like them as is.
• 21 *in case you are not able to buy almond paste, here is how to make it:.
• 22 almond paste:.
• 23 1/2 cup blanched almonds.
• 24 1/2 teaspoons almond extract.
• 25 1 cup pre-sifted powdered sugar.
• 26 1 egg , lightly beaten.
• 27 grind almonds in food processor til extremely fine!
• 28 place into a bowl and sprinkle with almond extract and powdered sugar.
• 29 toss with a fork and gradually add egg .
• 30 work paste until smooth.