Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheet

   5 min

   Begin by setting your oven temperature to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for roasting. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Spread almonds evenly across the sheet for uniform roasting.

2. 2

   Roast Almonds Until Fragrant

   8 min

   Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the almonds for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they emit a fragrant aroma and are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning, stirring halfway through if desired.

3. 3

   Prepare Pastry Dough

   13 min

   While the almonds roast, begin making the pastry dough. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, butter, and a pinch of salt, mixing until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, incorporate egg, vegetable oil, and orange blossom water to create a smooth, pliable dough, adding a little water if necessary. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and let it rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten.

4. 4

   Process Almonds into Paste

   10 min

   Once the almonds have cooled slightly, transfer them to a food processor and grind until they are finely chopped. Add sugar, cinnamon, an egg, and the remaining orange blossom water, processing until the mixture forms a smooth paste. This filling should be cohesive yet slightly grainy from the ground almonds.

5. 5

   Shape Almond Filling into Logs

   8 min

   Take small pieces of the almond filling, roughly the size of walnuts, and roll them into logs with tapered ends. Ensure they are uniform in size for even cooking. This step is crucial for achieving the characteristic shape of the gazelle horns.

6. 6

   Preheat Oven for Baking

   3 min

   Adjust the oven temperature to 325°F (165°C) to prepare for baking the filled pastries. Line another baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring you have sufficient space for all the pastries to bake evenly without touching.

7. 7

   Assemble Gazelle Horns

   10 min

   Roll out half of the rested dough on a lightly floured surface until it is thin. Place a log of the almond filling at one edge, fold the pastry over the filling, and seal the edges securely to prevent leakage. Shape the filled pastry into crescent forms, cut around each crescent, and gently transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and filling.

8. 8

   Bake Until Golden Brown

   31 min

   Bake the assembled gazelle horns in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until they are lightly golden on the surface. Keep an eye on them towards the end of baking to achieve the perfect color without burning. Once done, allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.

9. 9

   Prepare Honey Glaze and Serve

   8 min

   In a small saucepan, gently warm honey until it becomes more liquid, then stir in orange blossom water for added flavor. Dip each cooled gazelle horn into the honey mixture, ensuring they are well-coated, and then place them on a serving plate. Garnish with crushed pistachios for a delightful crunch and presentation.