Victoria Tea Pastry

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cups flour
• 3 eggs
• Another 1/2 cup butter 
• 2 Tablespoon cold water
• 1 Tablespoon almond extract

Topping:

• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Bring 1 cup water and 1/2 cup butter to a boil in a sauce pan. 
3. Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 cup flour and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.
4. In a stand mixer combine 1 cup flour and 1/2 cup cold butter (cut into little pieces) and blend well with the pastry attachment.
5. Slowly add 2 Tablespoons of cold water. 
6. Mix until dough forms into a ball. 
7. Divide in half and place side by side on a cookie sheet sprayed with oil. 
8. Flatten to about 1/2 inch thick and keep 1 inch apart. 
9. Add 3 eggs to the first mixture, one at a time. Fully mix in each egg before adding the next. 
10. Add almond extract and mix well. 
11. Evenly spread on each dough strip.
12. Bake 1 hour at 350 degree, do not open the oven during this time. 
13. Cool 10 minutes and frost with topping. 
14. For the topping combine 1/4 cup butter (softened) with 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon milk and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. 
15. Spread on warm pastries and sprinkle to toasted almonds on top.