Mom T's Bear Claws

Mom found this recipe years ago in Sunset magazine. They are extra yummy!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 18
• Yields: 18 pastries

Ingredients

• Dough

• 1  cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1 (1/4ounce) package  yeast
• 1⁄4 cup water, warm (110 degrees)
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 3  egg yolks
• 5  ounces evaporated milk
• 3 1⁄3 cups flour

• Filling

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1 1⁄3 cups confectioners' sugar, unsifted
• 2⁄3 cup flour
• 8  ounces almond paste
• 1  teaspoon lemon peel, grated
• 2  egg whites
• 3⁄4 cup  almonds, finely chopped

• Assembly

• 1  egg white, ligthly beaten
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2-1  cup  almonds, sliced

Directions

1. To make dough - Dissolve yeast in water. Stir in sugar, egg yolks, milk and cooled butter. Stir into flour and chill for 24 hours.
2. To make filling - Combine all filling ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate 24 hours.
3. To make Bear Claws - Roll dough out to a 13 1/3" x 27" rectangle on a floured board. Cut into 3 strips about 4 1/2" wide.
4. Divide filling into 3 parts. Roll into 27" strips. Place one strip onto the center of each dough strip. Fold each side up over center. Brush with egg white. Sprinkle with sugar and sliced almonds. Cut each strip into 6 pieces.
5. Place on a cookie sheet. Make 4 cuts along folded edge and fan a bit to resemble a bear claw. Cover and let rise 20 minutes.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.