How to Make Bear Claws

Cinnamon Bear Claws with Milk and Honey Glaze

A few years ago when I first began baking in earnest, my results with yeast-risen breads and pastries were mixed at best. Sometimes I’d have gorgeous risen dough and other times I’d cry over brioche buns that could double as hockey pucks. I blamed the yeast.  Living things can be unpredictable, right?  That was my excuse.

I’ve corrected some novice mistakes since then. Simple things like checking the expiration date before purchase and use make a big difference, and proper storage is very important too.

Cinnamon Bear Claws with Milk and Honey Glaze

I also have a brand of yeast I always use and recommend – Red Star dry active baking yeast.  It hasn’t let me down yet. If you do a lot of baking then you may already have a favorite brand of yeast, but this is what works for me.  I keep some in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Bear claws are probably my favorite pastries, ever!  The quick danish pastry I use is really easy to make and just as buttery and flaky as classic danish pastry dough.  I’ve put together a picture tutorial of my bear claw making process to use along with the recipe. I hope it will encourage you to try them for yourself!

Slice butter and add to the flour in the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse until butter is the size of kidney beans.
Combine yeast and flour/butter mixture until just combined.
Pound out chilled dough with a rolling pin.
Roll to a 16×20 piece.
Fold dough into thirds.
Roll out folded dough.
Fold again into thirds.
Roll to 16×18 inches and cut into four pieces.
Spread with filling and roll up pieces.
Roll to flatten and seal edges.
Cut into pieces.
Cut “toes” into filled pieces.
Lay on prepared baking sheet and curve them slightly.
Cinnamon Bear Claws with Milk and Honey Glaze

These are so crazy good right out of the oven.  It’s impossible to wait for them to cool and you shouldn’t wait.  They are worth the burned fingers, especially when there’s milk and honey glaze ready for dipping!

Cinnamon Bear Claws with Milk and Honey Glaze

This recipe is adapted from The Great Scandinavian Baking Book. I suggest making this over the course of two days. The dough can be made the first day and refrigerated overnight. The dough can be rolled, filled and baked on the second day. The quick danish pastry dough can be used to make a variety of pastries including buns, braids, bear claws and kringles.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
30 minutes chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 27 minutes
Course Bread, Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine Scandinavian
Servings 16

Ingredients
 
 

Dough

  • 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter very cold
  • 2 packages active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water 105F -115F
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Cinnamon filling

  • 1 egg white
  • 2/3 cup almond paste
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Assembly

  • 1 egg beaten (for brushing pastries)
  • Sliced almonds
  • Large crystal sugar

Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 1-2 tbsp. whole milk

Instructions
 

Dough:

  • Add flour to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Cut butter into 1/4-inch slices and add to the flour. Process until the mixture until the butter is about the size of kidney beans. If you don’t have a food processor you can cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or other cutting tool.
  • In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in the cream or milk, salt, eggs and sugar. Turn the flour-butter mixture into the liquid ingredients and with a rubber spatula mix until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours, or overnight (preferred) or up to 4 days.
  • Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Dust dough with flour. Pound dough with rolling pin; roll out to make a 16×20-inch piece. Fold into thirds making three layers. Turn dough and roll out again. Fold again into thirds. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Prepare the filling while you wait for the dough to chill.

Cinnamon filling:

  • In a small bowl, beat all the ingredients with an electric mixer until very smooth. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Assembly:

  • On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled pastry out to make an 16×18-inch rectangle. Cut lengthwise into 4 strips.
  • Remove filling from refrigerator and spread 2 tablespoons of filling down the center of each strip. Roll each strip from the long side jelly-roll style and place seam-side down. Roll lightly to flatten and seal the edges. Cut each strip into 4-6-inch pieces, then cut 3-5 slits for “toes”. Place pieces on the prepared baking sheets, curving them slightly. Allow them to rise in a warm place for 20 minutes or until puffy, or you can cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (after refrigeration let stand at room temperature until puffy).
  • Preheat oven to 400F. Brush with the beaten egg and place a sliced almond on each bear “toe”. Sprinkle with large crystal sugar. Bake 5-8 minutes for small pastries, 10-12 minutes for larger pastries.
  • Let cool slightly on wire racks.

Glaze:

  • Stir together ingredients until smooth. Add more confectioners’ sugar if too thin, or add more milk if too thick. Drizzle over warm pastries.
Keyword cinnamon filling, danish pastry dough, evaporated milk
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Supplies:

Red Star dry active baking yeast

Stainless Steel Scraper/Chopper

The Great Scandinavian Baking Book

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Blog is the New Black
Blog is the New Black
11 years ago

Awesome! And how cute is that lil bear?! 😉

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

OMG. So have to try these!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
11 years ago

So pretty! Those bear claws arewonderful and I bet they taste just heavenly.

Cheers,

Rosa

Veronica LaChance
Veronica LaChance
11 years ago

Bear claws are absolutely a family favorite and yours are gorgeous!! I will definitely be making these 🙂

RecipeGirl
RecipeGirl
11 years ago

I am completely in love with the idea of making these!!!! maybe for Christmas this year!

The Bearfoot Baker
The Bearfoot Baker
11 years ago

Oh my goodness!! You make me so happy!!!!!

Tiffany
Tiffany
11 years ago

Pretty sure that is the cutest picture of bear claws I have ever seen EVER!!

vanillasugarblog
vanillasugarblog
11 years ago

what I wouldn't give to hang out with you AND to see your "prop closet"
lol
I have no props sadly, but need some.
These are just glorious my dear.
You are mucho mucho talented.

Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen
11 years ago

These actually look surprisingly easy! Well maybe not "easy" but doable. And maybe even a good practice pastry for croissants!

Heather
Heather
11 years ago

I second the post by vanillasugarblog. I think you should give away a "One Day with SprinkleBakes" dream tutorial – assist the master and learn technique, tools, and trades! These are probably the most perfectly manicured bear claws EVA.

Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
11 years ago

These are BEAUTIFUL. You are, in one word, brilliant, my dear!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

I've only ever seen the fried kind of bear claw. These look waaaaaay better than the fried version. Kind of like a cinnamon roll… only, again, this looks waaay better than a cinnamon roll. I think while I'm on break from school I'm going to try my hand at a few yeast recipes.

Rebecca
Rebecca
11 years ago

Red star yeast is the best! I've never had a bear claw, but after seeing these, I want one…right now. Also, I just got your cookbook, and it's rocking my world.

Lora
Lora
11 years ago

What a great tutorial. I always have mixed results when working with yeast. I love these bear claws and the flexibility of adding different fillings.

Sara
Sara
11 years ago

So cute! I love the little bear at the top. 🙂 Looks so tasty!

Laura
Laura
11 years ago

What a cute idea and they sound absolutely delicious. I love that top picture.

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
11 years ago

Aww love these! Bear claws are such a classic in my family, but I love your take on them even better! (don't tell Grandma).

kelsey_the farmer's daughter
kelsey_the farmer's daughter
11 years ago

these look so heavenly! definitely will need to give them a go!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Great! Thank you!

Martina
Martina
11 years ago

i love this!!!! i love your blog, which i just discovered!!!! i will absolutely follow 🙂

come visit me,
Martina

PS don´t forget to enter my giveaway: http://homesweetbakery.blogspot.it/2012/11/giveaway.html

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Love. They are adorable. They look so complicated and then you break them down so well. Thank you Heather!

Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
11 years ago

They look wonderful! Love the flavor, and much easier then I ever thought they would be!

Sharla
Sharla
11 years ago

Ok, I do not store my yeast in the fridge and find the same kind of "hit or miss" in my baking. Thanks for the tip!

Judy @ Season of Sweets
Judy @ Season of Sweets
11 years ago

Yummy! Thank you for the great photos too!

Sugar Spice Cabinet
Sugar Spice Cabinet
11 years ago

Hmmm I am wondering if I could use my breadmaker for this? After adding the ingredients cut up the butter to into 1 inch pieces and placing it on the dough cycle. However that is only an 1.5 hr rise …. is this long enough?

Sarah
Sarah
11 years ago

I can't cope with all the deliciousness. Flaky pastry, sweet glaze, and gooey spicy-sweet insides? I wish I lived in the northern hemisphere!

Suzanne Perazzini
Suzanne Perazzini
11 years ago

Loved the tutorial. Things can look so complicated but are actually easy when it's explained.

Buttercream Bakehouse
Buttercream Bakehouse
11 years ago

my kids would love these. Thanks for posting

Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings
11 years ago

love the photo- the scene is super cute!

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
11 years ago

These would be so good for breakie on Christmas morning…

Loretta E.
Loretta E.
11 years ago

I made croissants twice from homemade pastry dough and it was a process, but not very difficult. Just took lots of time. I love this 'quick' version of a bear claw!

Coleen Patrick
Coleen Patrick
11 years ago

Yum! And so cute with the bear in the photo. 🙂

Sue
Sue
11 years ago

Ever since my little grandson and I watched "The Bear" movie together I have wanted to make some bear claws…now I have the perfect recipe with your fabulous step-by-step included…woo hoo! I'll almost feel like I am baking alongside you:) I love almond paste and these look amazing!

Katie
Katie
11 years ago

They look fabulous and so beautifully presented. Just stunning. Love the spicy filling you used

la cocina de frabisa
la cocina de frabisa
11 years ago

Maravilloso y muy bien explicado, parece facilísimo y seguro que está delicioso. Enhorabuena!

Lynda Jane Cakes
Lynda Jane Cakes
11 years ago

I cannot get over how not cute these little treats are but how tasty they sound! Definitely need to try them out for the holidays!

http://lyndajanecakes.blogspot.co.uk/

x

Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen
11 years ago

Never had almond paste…. is there another yummy filling that could be used perhaps?

Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen
11 years ago

Just googled it and found that Pillsbury's recipe uses bread crumbs??? Ok, that is just wrong and gross. http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/crescent-bear-claws/6a06b3f6-be64-4b92-8f10-062a16b2cd5d

Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake
11 years ago

These look amazing! My husband loves bear claw so I will definitely have to try this!

Lynna
Lynna
11 years ago

This looks awesome! I love eating bear claws as a child for breakfast. Now, I can make my own homemade. 😀

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

I never knew why this pastry was called "bear claws" until I saw your take on it. Perfect looking little toes!

Anne
Anne
11 years ago

Never thought bear claws could be this elegant!

Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
11 years ago

You are amazing Heather, incredible post!

Heather
Heather
11 years ago

If I was a raccoon, I would want to live near your garbage can.

Janet
Janet
11 years ago

I made these today and they are amazing!!!!!!!

Janet
Janet
11 years ago

Ok So I know I just posted a comment, but I seriously can't thank you enough for posting this recipe. It was the first time I've ever worked with a laminated dough and I did not expect it to be this successful. Everyone who has tried the bearclaw can't believe I made it from scratch or didn't buy it from a bakery!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

Hi Janet! I'm so glad you tried the recipe. That quick pastry is the trick, isn't it?

Thanks for sharing your results!

xo
-Heather

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Wow i really love your receipes and it all seems yummy

Greetings from holland

Jenn
Jenn
10 years ago

Is there anything that can be used instead of almond paste? I am deathly allergic to peanuts and all tree nuts and run a nut-free baking business. Would butter work?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

You can replace the almond paste with with finely chopped apples.