(Save the Polar) Bear Claws
- 4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound (4 sticks) butter, softened
- 1 pound (2 cups) mascarpone
- 2 cups unsulfured dried apricots
- 13 cup apricot preserves
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 1/2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
- Place the flour and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
- With the mixer on low, add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until incorporated.
- Then add the mascarpone, 2 tablespoons at a time, until blended.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal balls.
- Flatten each ball into a disc, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Prepare the filling by bringing the apricots and 2 1/2 cups water to a boil.
- Boil for 2 minutes.
- Let cool completely, then drain apricots and roughly chop.
- Dust a work surface lightly with flour.
- Roll one disc of chilled dough into an 9-by-13-inch rectangle, 1/4 -inch thick.
- Then cut the rectangle into 3 (9-by-4 1/3-inch) smaller rectangles.
- Lay each rectangle vertically.
- Place 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons apricots on the bottom half of the rectangle.
- Top with 1 1/2 teaspoons of apricot preserves.
- Fold the top half of the dough over the fruit and press down along the edges to seal.
- Using a paring knife, cut away a small amount of the sealed edge to tighten the seal.
- Cut 4 ( 3/4-inch-long) slits into the sealed end (opposite the fold) to make bear nails.
- Repeat with the remaining discs of dough.
- Refrigerate the bear claws for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, cream and a few drops of water.
- Place bear claws on the baking sheets 2 inches apart.
- Brush the top of each bearclaw with the egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes.
- Remove bear claws from the oven and let cool.
flour, salt, butter, mascarpone, apricots, apricot preserves, egg yolk, heavy cream, turbinado sugar
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9160 (may not work)