Cleveland-Style Raspberry Almond Pastries
These delightful Cleveland-Style Raspberry Almond Pastries are a unique twist on traditional tea cakes, merging rich Eastern European flavors with modern baking techniques. Originating from local bakeries in Cleveland, this recipe features a tender scone-like dough that's rolled with a luscious raspberry filling and studded with crunchy almonds and sweet golden raisins. The pastries are baked to golden perfection and topped with a light sprinkle of large crystal sugar for a delightful crunch. Perfect for celebrations or as an afternoon treat with your favorite beverage, these pastries are sure to impress your family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsifted flour
4 1/2 cups (sifted)
baking powder
1 tablespoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
sugar
3/4 cup
oil
1/2 cup (vegetable or canola)
margarine
1/4 cup (melted)
orange juice
1/4 cup
orange peel
1 teaspoon (grated)
eggs
4 ((3 eggs plus 1 yolk, 1 white reserved))
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
jam or preserves
1 cup (of your choice)
chopped almonds
1 - 1 1/2 cups
golden raisins
1 1/2-2 cups
cinnamon
1 teaspoon
large crystal sugar
1/4 cup (for topping)
egg white
1 (reserved from previous eggs)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cleveland-Style Raspberry Almond Pastries?
Cleveland-Style Raspberry Almond Pastries are a unique twist on traditional tea cakes, blending Eastern European flavors with modern baking techniques to create a tender, scone-like pastry.
Where did this recipe originate?
This recipe originates from local bakeries in Cleveland, reflecting the city's rich Eastern European culinary heritage.
What type of dough is used for these pastries?
The recipe uses a tender scone-like dough made with flour, baking powder, sugar, oil, margarine, orange juice, and eggs.
What is the filling for these pastries?
The filling consists of raspberry jam or preserves, chopped almonds, golden raisins, and a hint of cinnamon.
Can I use a different type of jam?
Yes, while raspberry is traditional, you can use any jam or preserves of your choice for the filling.
What kind of nuts are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chopped almonds.
Do these pastries contain raisins?
Yes, they contain 1 1/2 to 2 cups of sweet golden raisins.
How is the dough flavored?
The dough is flavored with vanilla extract, grated orange peel, and orange juice.
What is the topping for the pastries?
The pastries are topped with a light sprinkle of large crystal sugar for a delightful crunch.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 eggs in total: 3 whole eggs plus 1 yolk for the dough, and 1 reserved egg white.
What is the purpose of the reserved egg white?
The reserved egg white is used as a wash to help the large crystal sugar topping adhere to the pastries.
What kind of oil should I use?
You should use 1/2 cup of vegetable or canola oil.
Is margarine necessary or can I use butter?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of melted margarine, though butter can typically be substituted if preferred.
How much flour is needed?
The recipe requires 4 1/2 cups of unsifted flour, which should be sifted during the preparation process.
What is the texture of these pastries?
They have a tender, scone-like texture with a crunchy topping and a luscious, fruit-filled center.
Are these pastries suitable for holidays?
Yes, they are described as perfect for celebrations and holiday treats.
How should I prepare the orange peel?
The orange peel should be finely grated to provide 1 teaspoon of zest for the dough.
Can I omit the cinnamon?
Yes, but the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon adds a traditional warmth that complements the raspberry and almond flavors.
What is the best way to serve these pastries?
They are best served as an afternoon treat alongside your favorite beverage, such as coffee or tea.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients in the Cleveland-Style Raspberry Almond Pastries recipe.
Is there a specific way to bake them?
The pastries should be baked until they reach golden perfection.
Can I substitute the golden raisins?
While golden raisins are specified for their sweetness, you could use regular raisins or dried cranberries as a variation.
Is the large crystal sugar necessary?
While optional, the large crystal sugar provides the signature 'delightful crunch' mentioned in the description.
Can I use orange juice from a carton?
Yes, either fresh-squeezed or bottled orange juice will work for the 1/4 cup required.
Are these pastries difficult to make?
The recipe involves rolling the dough with filling, which is a standard baking technique used to create the signature look.
What makes them 'Cleveland-Style'?
The term refers to the specific combination of a scone-like dough and rolled filling popularized by Eastern European bakeries in the Cleveland area.
Is there salt in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is included to balance the sweetness of the dough.
How much baking powder is used?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of baking powder to ensure the dough rises correctly.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, these pastries store well and are excellent for serving to guests later.
What is the primary flavor profile?
The primary flavor profile is a combination of tart raspberry, nutty almond, sweet raisin, and a hint of citrus.