Almond Puff Pastry

When I first looked over this recipe, (i found it on Allrecipes here) I didn't think it could possibly taste good because the first two layers have no sugar and a lot of eggs...but the sweet icing totally makes up for it.  This was so incredible!!  My parents and I gobbled it up in one sitting.  The texture is very similar to a puff pastry, and it's super fluffy and soft but flaky on the outside and just perfect. I'm a huge fan of almond flavor, and this is very almond-y and delicious.  If you like almond, you will devour this.  It makes a heavenly dessert, and also a great breakfast with a cup of coffee. There's always room for one more of these fluffy treats.

Yield: about 2 12-inch puffs

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cold water
•  
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 3 eggs
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• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cut the 1/2 cup of margarine into the 1 cup of flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cold water one tablespoon at a time. Using your hands or a fork, stir until the dough can form a ball. Divide dough in half. Roll or press each half into a 12x3 inch rectangle. Place them 3 inches apart onto an unprepared cookie sheet.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. In a saucepan, bring the 1/2 cup of margarine, and 1 cup of water to a rolling boil. Lower heat and stir in the flour immediately with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir vigorously until the dough forms a tight ball. Remove from heat. Stir in eggs one at a time, then stir in the almond extract. Spread equally onto both rectangles. Bake for 10 minutes before lowering the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Continue to cook for 15 to 20 more minutes. The top should be crispy and brown.
4. To make the glaze, beat the confectioners' sugar together with the melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the almond puff when cool, and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Cut into strips and serve.