When I lived in Boulder, CO, my favorite thing in the world was to run along the Boulder Creek Path and finish at Alfalfa’s Market with an almond croissant and frothy latte. The croissants were to die for. And though you earn it, and though you always earn it, I felt a slight guilt over my butter consumption. Was there a healthier way to get the same flavors? I posed the question to team baker, Nikki VanderWiele, and of course, she found a way. Here is her Almond Pastry recipe:

 ALMOND PASTRIES

Dough 

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey

Combine ingredients. Dough will be sticky. Wrap in plastic and let chill for 1 hour.

Filling

1 can almond paste
1 whole lemon, juiced & zested
1 egg
1/23 cup chopped almonds

Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Cover 1/2 of the dough with filling and fold over the other 1/2 of the dough. Cut into squares. Brush with egg white or 1 beaten egg. Sprinkle with silvered almonds. Bake at 350 deg. for 15 minutes or until slightly browned. Enjoy!