Dutch Letter Pastries are one of the most beloved holiday desserts of all time. These traditional pastries are light and airy and are filled with a delicious marzipan filling. Before baking, the pastry ropes can be shaped to resemble alphabet letters, although the most common letter is “S”.
In a large mixing bowl stir together flour and salt. Cut cold butter into 1/2-inch-thick slices (not cubes). Add butter slices to flour mixture and toss until slices are coated and are separated.
In a small mixing bowl stir together egg and ice water. Add all at once to flour mixture. Using a spoon, quickly mix (butter will remain in large pieces and flour will not be completely moistened).
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured pastry cloth. Knead the dough 10 times by pressing and pushing dough together to form a rough-looking ball, lifting pastry cloth if necessary to press the dough together. Shape the dough into a rectangle (dough still will have some dry-looking areas). Make corners as square as possible. Slightly flatten dough. Working on a well-floured pastry cloth, roll dough into a 15x10-inch rectangle. Fold 2 short sides to meet in center; fold in half like a book to form 4 layers each measuring 7-1/2x5 inches.
Repeat the rolling and folding process once more. Wrap dough with plastic wrap. Chill dough for 20 minutes in refrigerator. Repeat rolling and folding process 2 more times. Chill dough for 20 minutes before using.
For filling, in a bowl stir together egg white, almond paste, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and the brown sugar. Set aside.
Using a sharp knife, cut dough crosswise into 4 equal parts. Wrap 3 portions in plastic wrap and return to the refrigerator. On a well-floured surface, roll 1 portion into a 12-1/2x10-inch rectangle. Cut rectangle into five 10x2-1/2-inch strips.
Shape a slightly rounded tablespoon of filling into a 9-inch rope and place it down the center third of one strip. Roll up the strip lengthwise. Brush edge and ends with water; pinch to seal. Place, seam side down, on an ungreased baking sheet, shaping strip into a letter (traditionally the letter S). Brush with water and sprinkle with additional granulated sugar. Repeat with remaining dough strips and filling. Repeat with remaining 3 dough portions and filling. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Remove from baking sheet; cool on racks. Makes 20 Dutch letters.
Notes
Note :
For best results, use an almond paste made without syrup or liquid glucose.