Marzipan Log

Having grown up in a Danish Heritage household Marzipan holds a special place in my heart.  It is one of my favourite treats and this is an especially easy way to enjoy it.  If you can’t find chocolate covered bars substitute just marzipan which is available in most bulk barns.  I found this in Food and Drink Holiday 2015.  The logs did not last long in my house!

All Purpose flour for dusting

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

4 dark (semi sweet) chocolate covered marzipan bars 125 g each, best quality you can find

1 egg

1 tbsp water

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. Lightly flour the counter and rolling pin; lay out the thawed pastry and lightly flour it too.  Roll out into a rectangle of roughly 11 x 13 inches.
3. With the tip of a very sharp knife, cut in half, down the middle, lengthwise .  You should have 2 pieces about 5 x 13 inches.
4. Lay the chocolate marzipan bars, end to end, 2 pars per log, onto the puff pastry - a little off centre, about 1 1/2 inches in from one edge.
5. In a small bowl, whisk egg with water and brush all around the edges of the puff sheets - this is your glue.
6. First, fold the corners of the ends of the pastry up and over the ends of the marzipan bars - just like gift wrapping a box; press down a little to make it stick.  Then, starting at the edge closest to the marzipan bars, begin rolling the pastry into a log with a marzipan centre.  Lay on the parchment, seam down.  Pop the cookie sheet into the fridge for about 20 minutes.
7. Pre heat the oven to 425F.
8. Brush the tops and sides of cold logs with the remaining egg wash.  Sprinkle with sliced almonds - the almonds will stick if you sprinkle them carefully.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes; pastry should be puffed and lightly golden.  Allow to cool completely before slicing, or it will just squish, not cut under the knife.
10. To serve, bring to the coffee table - room temperature is best - on a platter or board with a bread knife and let folks help themselves.