Final Fantasy XIV: Almond Cream Croissants
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Final Fantasy XIV is an online game that I started playing last year. I’ve enjoyed playing several Final Fantasy games and most of them have featured delicious meals. I recently purchased The Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV Online Cookbook and wanted to make the almond cream croissant.
In the game, you would have the option of choosing the almond cream croissant as your prize for completing the quest “an uncertain future”. This is also a recipe you can make in-game under the Culinarian Master Recipe III list. It’s a dish from the region Coerthas.
Below I’ll give you steps into how I made this recipe with my added tips but please remember to support the creators of this wonderful cookbook by purchasing from Insight Editions or your favorite bookstore!
Ingredients
6 croissants will be used and can be store-bought, although this book also gives a recipe to make your own that go with this!
Syrup
2 T birch syrup (substituted with maple syrup)
1/3 C granulated sugar
1/4 C amaretto (substituted with 1 tsp Almond extract)
1 C water
Almond Filling
1 C unsalted butter (I used salted and it was fine)
1/2 granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 C almond flour (add more if needed)
1 tsp salt
Toppings
1/2 C sliced almonds
Powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Step 2:
Set stovetop heat on medium and place all syrup ingredients in a medium-sized pan, one large enough that you can easily dip the halved croissants in there later on. Cook until all sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally.
When cooked through, set the pan aside to cool and turn your burner off.
* Notes *
As mentioned above, for the syrup ingredients I substituted a couple of things.
Birch syrup wasn’t available at my grocery store but I have seen it around. If needed, you can always purchase from Amazon or other online stores.
For amaretto, I found advice from OliveNation.com that stated “For 2 tablespoons of liqueur, use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of OliveNation Almond or Amaretto Extract” I didn’t use their brand of almond extract, but I followed their guidance on the measurements.
Step 3:
For this step, I followed the guidance of A Baking Journey for almond cream filling to ensure I got a smooth result. (I’m less skilled in baking and I wanted to do this right)
Place butter and granulated sugar in your bowl. If using a mixer, use the paddle attachment and mix for 3-5 minutes. I increased my speed towards the end to ensure it blended better.
Put the mix speed on low. Add the eggs one at a time with the vanilla extract . Then add the almond flour and let everything get fully blended. Once done, turn off your mixer.
Step 4:
Cut your croissants in half so that you have a top and bottom, like a hamburger bun.
Take the bottom of the croissant and lightly dip it in your syrup cut side down. Place it on your tray, cut side up.
After doing this with each bottom half and placing it on the tray, take about 3 spoonfuls of the almond cream filling and spread it on top, like in the picture shown above.
Afterward, you’ll sprinkle your sliced almonds over the filling.
*Note*
Keep in mind that the filling will spread out while baking in the oven so add more or less to your liking. the more you have, the more likely it will spill out the sides (which isn’t a bad thing!).
Step 5:
Place the top half of the croissants over each to have a whole croissant again.
Now you can drizzle some of the syrup over all of the croissants. Since mine was very thin, I lightly brushed the top with it to not make a mess.
Take the almond cream filling and also drizzle on top in any way you like. I used a piping bag to get an even amount.
Afterward, sprinkle the remaining almonds on top or how much you wish!
*Note*
In the future, I plan to use smaller croissants so I will use a smaller tip on the piping bag. This will make it look a little nicer, now knowing how much the filling can spread out in the oven. This can be adjusted to your liking.
Step 6:
Bake for about 15-18 minutes or until golden brown and transfer to a cooling rack.
Once it cools off, you can sprinkle the powdered sugar on top
*Note*
These are best to eat on the first day and should be kept in an air tight container. I left mine out on the counter.
On the second day, I reheated it in my air fryer oven for a few minutes on the toast setting (time and temp could vary depending on what you use).
On the third day, it became too soggy and the flavor wasn’t as good. I suggest discarding it after 2 days.
You’ve now made a delicious snack that will impress your loved ones! They won’t even know it was inspired by a game.
If you feel stuck making this, feel free to look at other recipes online for almond cream croissants. Everyone’s appliances are different so you might find a better method for the tools that you have.
This is the first time in a while that I made something the first time and thought there was not anything I would improve for the next time. Though, there is a recipe in the cookbook for homemade croissants so I will try that closer to the holidays.
If there are any recipes you’d like to challenge me with, comment below. Let me know if you have any favorite recipes you made that are inspired by your favorite show, movie, or game.
