By: Rossella Rago

Ingredients

For 1 Dozen

For the Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup Crisco or Lard
• 1/4 cup milk

For the Filling:

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg, beaten, for the egg wash

Directions

1. To make custard:
   1. Sift the cornstarch and sugar then put in a saucepan.
   2. Add the milk and heavy cream and whisk lightly until you obtain a smooth mixture.
   3. Whisk in the egg, then heat on medium until custard thickens.
   4. Mix in the butter and almond extract. Remove from heat and cover custard with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming while it cools.
2. To make pastry:
   1. In a food processor add the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Pulse until all mixed.
   2. Add the butter and Crisco then pulse until mixture looks like crumbly cornmeal.
   3. Add egg, milk and vanilla and mix until dough starts to form a ball.
   4. Turn out dough onto a board and lightly work dough until its smooth.
   5. Divide dough into two flattened rounds, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
   6. Starting with the first piece of dough, place it onto a floured board. Roll it out to 1/4″ thick.
   7. Using a 3 inch pastry cutter or glass, cut out 12 rounds.
   8. Place each round into the mould and press into mould to remove all air.
   9. Add about 2 tablespoons of the custard to each of the moulds.
   10. Cover each with a 3″ round of dough.
   11. Let chill in refrigerator for an hour or overnight.
   12. Brush tops with egg wash, then bake at 425° for 15 -18 minutes.

Notes