Almond Croissant Cottage Cheese Pull-Apart Bread: A High-Protein Delight

This almond croissant cottage cheese pull-apart bread is a delectable twist on the classic almond croissant, transformed into a shareable, satisfying bread. It captures the essence of almond croissants in an irresistible pull-apart form. The secret to this recipe’s success lies in the high-protein cottage cheese dough and a lighter, homemade frangipane filling. Topped with slivered almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar, it’s an absolute showstopper!

Key Ingredients for Success

Using the right ingredients is crucial for achieving the best results with this recipe. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each ingredient is important:

• Blended Cottage Cheese: This is the star ingredient that elevates the protein content and adds a remarkable moistness and subtle tang to the bread. Ensure you use cottage cheese with at least 2% fat, as lower-fat varieties contain too much water, which can affect the dough’s consistency. Blending the cottage cheese ensures a smooth texture, preventing any lumps in the final product.
• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the foundation of the pull-apart bread dough, creating a delightful crispy yet chewy texture when baked. While gluten-free alternatives may work, the recipe has not been specifically tested with them. If you experiment with gluten-free or almond flour, please share your results in the comments! The gluten in all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure for the bread to rise properly and maintain its shape.
• Baking Powder: As this dough doesn’t contain yeast, baking powder acts as the leavening agent, helping the bread rise and become light and airy. Don’t omit this ingredient, as it’s essential for achieving the desired texture. Baking powder reacts with the moisture in the dough to produce carbon dioxide, which creates bubbles and gives the bread its lift.
• Homemade Frangipane: Frangipane is the quintessential almond croissant filling, and this lightened-up version doesn’t compromise on flavor. You’ll need butter, maple syrup, almond extract, almond flour, and an egg. The frangipane provides a rich, nutty, and sweet flavor that complements the cottage cheese dough perfectly. The maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and depth of flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Slivered Almonds and Powdered Sugar: These are the finishing touches that transform the bread into a visually stunning masterpiece, reminiscent of an almond croissant. They not only enhance the flavor but also add a delightful textural contrast. The slivered almonds provide a satisfying crunch, while the powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and elegance.

Storage Tips

To maintain the freshness and flavor of your almond croissant cottage cheese pull-apart bread, proper storage is key.

Store the bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave individual slices or cover the entire loaf with foil and warm it in the oven until the filling is gooey and delicious. This will ensure that the bread retains its moisture and flavor.

Explore More High-Protein Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like these other high-protein creations:

• Protein Monkey Bread: A fun and shareable twist on a classic breakfast treat.
• Pumpkin Bagel Bites: A seasonal delight that’s perfect for fall.
• Cottage Cheese Breakfast Biscuits: A savory and protein-packed way to start your day.
• High-Protein Air Fryer Dinner Rolls: A quick and easy side dish that’s packed with protein.

Almond Croissant Cottage Cheese Pull-Apart Bread

This almond croissant cottage cheese pull-apart bread is made with my high-protein cottage cheese dough and a lightened up homemade frangipane. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee!

By: Linley Hanson

Prep:

15
mins

Cook:

40
mins

Total:

55
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Servings:
8

Ingredients

Filling

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 1.5 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 large egg

Dough

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups blended 2% cottage cheese
• 1.5 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Topping

• ¾ cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175°C) and spray a standard-sized loaf pan with cooking spray.
• Add all of the filling ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or whisk, mix to combine until smooth. Set aside.
• Place the flour, cottage cheese, baking powder, and sea salt into a large bowl. Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, stir until combined. Then, using your hands, press together until a ball of dough forms.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Knead gently until smooth. You may need to sprinkle more flour over the top if the dough is too sticky.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Using lightly floured hands, flatten each piece into approximately 4-inch (10 cm) circles, about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) thick.
• Spread about 1 tablespoon of the almond frangipane filling evenly onto the top of each dough circle.
  
• Assemble the pull-apart bread in the prepared loaf pan by placing each filled dough circle upright, like a stack of cookie sandwiches standing on their side.
  
• Spread any remaining frangipane filling evenly over the top of the loaf and sprinkle generously with sliced almonds.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool slightly.
• Sift powdered sugar over the top of the cooled bread. Serve warm and enjoy!
  

Tips & Notes

• Do not press the dough pieces together too firmly when assembling the bread. Lightly stacking them is best, as pressing them too tightly can affect the baking time.
• If the dough is too sticky after mixing, clean your hands and add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, kneading until the dough is no longer sticky.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Please note that the following nutrition information is an approximation and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

• Calories: Approximately 380 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 11g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is an approximate value.

Photography by: The Wooden Skillet