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Homemade Almond Roll

This homemade almond roll starts with an almond pie crust that is filled with a mixture of jam and nuts then rolled up jelly roll style before being baked until golden! This delightful pastry is the best blend of flaky crust and sweet flavor. 

Almond roll with three slices cut on a wooden board.


 

Across Europe, you will find many variations of European nut rolls. This homemade almond roll is an easy version made with Italian almond pie crust dough and filled with jam and chopped nuts or a creamy filling of choice.

The filling in this pastry is not quite as sweet as the one in this rugelach but if you fill it with a chocolate pastry cream it will be more decadent like my chocolate pastry braid.

Unlike my ricotta blueberry strudel, this pastry is spread out into a rectangle then rolled up jelly roll style and baked in a log shape until golden brown. Dust the roll with powdered sugar before slicing and serving and this pastry will be a new family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Almond Roll Recipe

  • Flavorful treat: With an almond infused pie crust dough and sweet filling, this treat is perfect to pair with a cup of coffee or tea at breakfast, dessert or a holiday brunch.
  • Perfect texture: With a flaky, buttery almond pie dough crust, the sweet almond flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet jam or cream filling.
  • Festive showstopper: A homemade almond roll looks and tastes like you picked it up at a specialty bakery but it is easier than you think to make at home! 
  • Customizable: I love this pastry filled with apricot jam and almonds but you can fill it how you like with decadent creams, almond paste or sweet jams.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients for the recipe.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Almond filling: Many nut filled pastries are filled with an almond filling or almond paste which would work well here, too. Store bought or homemade is fine. 
  • Puff pastry: If you have homemade puff pastry on hand or store bought that can be used instead of pie crust. 
  • Pie crust: Use a different pie crust for different results! Brown sugar pie crust, Italian chocolate pie crust or any homemade pie dough would work.
  • Shaping techniques: While I love the simplicity of rolling this up jelly roll style, you could spread the filling down the center, then make slits down the each side of the dough and fold the strips over the filling in an alternating pattern before sealing the ends.
  • Glaze: Add some more decadence to this almond roll by glazing it with a simple powdered sugar glaze or even a chocolate glaze if you would like.

How to Make Homemade Almond Roll

To start, prepare the almond pie dough according to recipe directions and chill.

Almond pie dough on parchment paper.

Divide pie dough into two, then roll each piece into rectangles a little more than ⅛ inch thick.

Dough rolled between parchment paper.

Spread each rectangle with jam or spread of choice. Roll the dough lengthwise and seal the edges. Place the dough roll sealed side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each roll with milk and sprinkle with slivered almonds.

Almond roll rolled and sprinkled with almond slices.

Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown and baked through. Cool for 5 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.

The baked almond roll on a baking sheet.

This recipe will make 2 almond rolls or you could make a roll and the remaining pastry make some almond cookies!

Almond cookies before after baked.

Expert Tips

  • Cold pie dough: To create a flaky pastry crust for this homemade almond roll, ensure that your almond pie dough is chilled. 
  • Rolling out the dough: To make it easier to roll out, roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper, lightly dusted with flour.
  • Bake seam side down: This not only helps hold the roll together it creates a better appearance! 
  • Avoid overbaking: Burnt pastry does not taste good! Bake only until the almond roll is puffed up and golden brown. The bottom of the pastry will also be crisp, not soft or soggy. 

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different pie dough?

Yes! Feel free to use my Italian pie crust, the croissant dough from my orange cream filled croissants or puff pastry.

How to serve homemade almond roll?

This pastry treat makes a great dessert for dinner parties or the holidays. Although I do think it’s perfectly acceptable to serve with coffee or tea for a breakfast treat or at a weekend brunch!

Almond roll on parchment paper.

How to store leftovers?

Store leftover almond roll at room temperature for a few hours then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days if it lasts that long! 

Can I freeze leftover almond roll?

Yes and no! It really depends on the filling used. A jam filling like I used would freeze just fine but one made with cream may separate when thawed. To freeze, slice in serving sizes and wrap with plastic wrap then aluminum foil. Store frozen for up to two months. Thaw and enjoy. 

More Pastry Recipes

Roll cut on wooden board and a slice on a white plate.

Whether enjoyed as a morning treat with coffee, with an afternoon tea, or as the perfect ending to a meal, this almond roll stands as proof to the timeless appeal of simple, delicious baking. Enjoy!

Cut almond roll slices on a white dish.

Homemade Almond Roll

Rosemary Molloy
This homemade almond roll starts with an almond pie crust that is filled with a mixture of jam and nuts then rolled up jelly roll style before being baked until golden! 
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Brunch, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 rolls
Calories 1449 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 almond pie crust recipe
  • ¾-1¼ cups jam of choice, hazelnut cream, chocolate cream or pistachio cream
  • 4-5 tablespoons finely chopped nuts (almonds, hazelnuts or pistachios)

EXTRAS

  • 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • 4 tablespoons slivered almonds
  • 4-5 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the almond pie dough.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 350F / 180C. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Divide the dough in two, roll each piece out into two rectangles a little more then ⅛ inch thick. To make it easier to roll out, roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper, lightly dusted with flour.
  • Spread each rectangle with jam or spread of choice, I used apricot jam and finely chopped almonds. Roll the dough lengthwise (with help from the parchment paper) and seal the edges. Place the dough roll sealed side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each roll with milk and sprinkle with slivered almonds.
  • Bake in the pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes or until gold brown and baked through. Let cool 5 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Store leftover almond roll at room temperature for a few hours then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days if it lasts that long! 
Freezing the Almond roll? – Yes and no! It really depends on the filling used. A jam filling like I used would freeze just fine but one made with cream may separate when thawed. To freeze, slice in serving sizes and wrap with plastic wrap then aluminum foil. Store frozen for up to two months. Thaw and enjoy. 

Nutrition

Calories: 1449kcal | Carbohydrates: 194g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 68g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 29g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 521mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 80g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 6mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Sounds delicious; if wanting to make ahead (a day or two prior) – do you recommend letting come back to room temp for serving (keeping refrigerated until ready to eat)?

5 from 1 vote

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