A bear claw is a type of pastry that originated in the United States during the mid-1910s. It is a sweet, yeast-raised pastry that is a type of Danish. The pastry is named after its shape, which resembles a bears claw. The dough is made from flour, unsalted butter, yeast, half and half, sugar, salt, and egg. The filling is traditionally made from almond paste, and may also include raisins and cinnamon sugar. Other popular fillings include cinnamon, apple, cherry, pecan, and cream cheese. The pastry can be made by hand or by machine, and is typically curved into a half-circle shape, which causes the "toes" to separate and evoke the shape of a bears toes. The bear claw is often categorized as a Danish pastry, which is a dough made with yeast and possessing a flaky texture.