Best Almond Cream Recipes

PUMPKIN ICE CREAM PIE WITH CHOCOLATE-ALMOND BARK AND TOFFEE SAUCE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Finely grind graham crackers in processor. Mix in sugar. Add butter; mix to blend. Press onto bottom and up sides of 10-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Bake until light brown around edges, about 12 minutes. Cool completely.
• For filling:
• Whisk first 9 ingredients in medium bowl. Slightly soften ice cream in microwave in 10-second intervals. Measure 1 cup ice cream; cover and freeze (reserve for another use). Spoon remaining ice cream into large bowl. Working quickly, add pumpkin mixture and fold just until swirled into ice cream (do not blend completely). If ice cream begins to melt, freeze until almost firm. Spoon ice cream filling into cooled crust, cover with plastic, and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For bark, sauce, and topping:
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper; spray with nonstick spray. Stir chocolate in bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Pour onto baking sheet. Using offset spatula, spread chocolate in even layer into 12x9-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with nuts. Place in freezer until hard, at least 30 minutes. Invert onto work surface. Peel off paper. Coarsely chop. Place DO AHEAD: Chocolate-almond bark can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• Bring brown sugar, corn syrup, 3 tablespoons water, and butter to boil in heavy medium saucepan, stirring until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and boil until dark brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Carefully stir in 1/2 cup cream, vanilla, and salt (mixture will bubble vigorously). Boil 1 minute longer. Cool slightly. DO AHEAD: Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before serving.
• Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/2 cups cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until peaks form. Spoon decoratively over pie. Sprinkle chocolate-almond bark over. Cut pie into wedges and serve, passing warm sauce alongside.

COFFEE ALMOND ICE-CREAM CAKE WITH DARK CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the cake:
• In a bowl with a fork stir together the crumbs and the butter until the mixture is combined well, pat the mixture onto the bottom and 1 inch up the side of a lightly oiled 8-inch springform pan, 2 1/2 inches deep, and freeze the crust for 30 minutes, or until it is firm. Spread the ice cream evenly on the crust and return the pan to the freeze for 30 minutes, or until the ice cream is firm. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the cream with the vanilla until it holds stiff peaks, fold in the amaretti thoroughly, and spread the mixture over the ice cream. Smooth the top of the cake, sprinkle it with the almonds, and freeze the cake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the top is firm. Freeze the cake, covered with plastic wrap and foil, for at least 4 hours or overnight. Just before serving, wrap a warm dampened kitchen towel around the side of the pan, remove the side, and transfer the cake to a serving plate. Cut the cake into wedges with a knife dipped in hot water and serve it with the chocolate sauce.
• To make the sauce:
• In a small heavy saucepan combine the cream and the brown sugar, bring the mixture to a boil over moderately high heat, whisking occasionally, and boil it, whisking, until the brown sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolates, whisking until they are melted. Whisk in the butter and the Amaretto, whisking until the sauce is smooth, and let the sauce cool slightly. The chocolate sauce may be made 1 week in advance and kept covered and chilled. Reheat the chocolate sauce over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is warm.

ALMOND CAKE WITH PEACHES AND CREAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and lightly flour a 9- or 10-inch springform pan.
• Place almond flour and confectioners' sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add egg white, almond extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and process until it all forms a paste.
• Add granulated sugar to the food processor and pulse until everything is well combined and crumbly. Add butter and vanilla, and continue processing until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. With the machine running, add eggs one at a time, processing until smooth between eggs.
• Stop the machine, scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula, and add flour, baking powder and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pulse a few times, until the dry ingredients are just integrated. (Be careful not to overprocess.)
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60 to 70 minutes for a 10-inch pan and 70 to 80 minutes for a 9-inch pan. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cake cool completely before unmolding and serving.
• Put the peach slices in a bowl and taste a slice. If they seem tart, sprinkle peaches with a little confectioners' sugar.
• Just before serving, dust the top of the cake with confectioners' sugar. You can serve slices of the cake with the peaches and cream on the side or dollop some whipped cream on top of the cake and top with the peaches before cutting.

WHITE ALMOND SOUR CREAM WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• Place all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together with a wire whisk.
• Add the remaining ingredients and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
• Pour into greased and floured cake pans, filling each pan a little over half full.
• Lightly tap cake pans on counter to bring air bubbles to top.
• Bake in preheated 325° F oven until cake tests done.
• Baking time varies according to the size and depth of pans being used.
• I used Wilton's Bake Even Strips on my cake pans to ensure a level-topped cake which required absolutely no trimming-- I highly recommend these, or good quality professional baking pans.
• In 2" deep pans, this recipe makes:.
• One 14" round and one 6" round.
• or One 16" round.
• or One 12" round and one 10" round.
• or One 12 X 18" sheet cake.
• or One 12" round and one 8" round and one 6" round.
• or Two 9" squares.
• or 5 dozen cupcakes.
• Half the recipe makes:.
• Two 7" rounds.
• or Two 6" rounds and 6 cupcakes.
• For chocolate cake: use chocolate mixes and substitute 6 whole eggs for the egg whites.
• For liqueur flavors: substitute alcohol (such as champagne or Kahlua) for about 1 cup of the water in the recipe.
• For berry flavors: use frozen berries, thaw reserving the juice. Substitute the berry juice for part of the water in the recipe, and stir the berries in at the end.
• For lemon cake: substitute lemon juice for about 1 cup of the water in the recipe, use 6 whole eggs instead of the whites, stir in 1 Tblsp lemon zest, and use 1 tsp of a good lemon extract in place of the almond.
• For white chocolate: melt 8oz white baking chocolate & cool slightly. use 6 whole eggs in the recipe instead of the whites, temper the chocolate by stirring in a small amount of the batter, then add the white chocolate to the entire batter and stir well. Doesn't bake up quite as high as the original, so add a pinch more batter to the pans.

ALMOND CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE, GANACHE AND FRESH STRAWBERRY FILLING, VANILLA BUTTERCREAM ICING AND PINK POURED FONDANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Prepare two 16-inch cake pans by greasing them and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fixed with the paddle attachment, add the liquid shortening, inverted sugar and vanilla. Then add the cake flour, granulated sugar, milk powder, baking powder, sea salt and cream of tartar. Mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then add half of the egg whites and mix on speed 1 for 3 minutes.
• Add the remaining egg whites and mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then mix on speed 3 for 3 minutes. Stop the mixer, scrape the bowl, and add the whole eggs, water and almond extract. Mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then on speed 3 for 3 minutes. Lastly, mix on speed 1 for 10 minutes.
• Fill the cake pans two-thirds full and bake until golden and a tester such as a toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool completely.
• To assemble the cake: Torte the cooled cakes (level and split them horizontally into 2 layers each). Generously spread a layer of the Ganache on the first layer of cake, then a generous layer of Cream Cheese Filling. Layer some fresh strawberries on top of the Cream Cheese Filling. Repeat with the next 2 cake layers. Top with the last cake layer and ice the cake smooth with the Vanilla Buttercream Icing. Lastly, pour a thin layer of Pink Poured Fondant over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides.
• In a microwave-safe glass bowl, heat the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals until melted, stirring between each intervals. Add the cream and mix with a spatula until smooth. Let cool.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening and cream cheese until smooth. Then add the confectioners' sugar, sea salt, vanilla and butter emulsion. Mix it all on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening until smooth. Then add the confectioners' sugar, sea salt, vanilla and butter emulsion.
• Mix it all on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the confectioners' sugar, then the water, corn syrup, almond extract, vanilla, liquid whitener and food coloring. Mix it all on medium speed until smooth, about 10 minutes. Yield: enough for one 16-inch layer cake.

ICE CREAM SANDWICHES WITH CHOCOLATE ALMOND CAKE AND MARCEL'S CARAMEL-BANANA-CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12 by 17-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and brush the sides of the baking sheet with melted butter.
• In a large bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then stir in the almond meal.
• In an electric stand mixer or in a large bowl with handheld electric beaters, whip the egg whites until frothy, then add a pinch of salt. Whip the whites to soft peaks, then add the sugar gradually. Continue whipping until the peaks are firm yet glossy. Gently fold in one-third of the dry ingredients, then fold in the remainder.
• Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly. Bake until the cake springs back when touched, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely, then place the baking sheet in the freezer until the cake is cold.
• For the ice cream: Peel the bananas and mash them roughly with a wooden spoon. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly against the mashed bananas, and set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine 6 tablespoons of the sugar, the lemon juice, and 1/4 cup water. Cook over medium heat, swirling the pan until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook until the syrup begins to turn a rich caramel color, about 3 minutes. Once it begins to change color, it darkens quickly, so watch carefully, swirling the pan so the caramel cooks evenly. Remove the pan from the heat and add the half-and-half and cream-carefully, as they will splatter. Stir in another 6 tablespoons sugar and return the pan to medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring with a wooden spoon to dissolve the caramel.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining 6 tablespoons sugar until thick and pale. Whisk in about 1 cup of the hot caramel mixture to warm the egg mixture, then pour the combined mixture into the saucepan of caramel and cook, stirring, until it visibly thickens and reaches 178°F on an instant-read thermometer. Pour over the bananas and stir well. Chill quickly in an ice bath. When cold, stir in the chocolate chips.
• Churn in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a freezer container and freeze until the ice cream is firm enough to spread without melting.
• Take the cake from the freezer. Put a sheet of parchment paper and a cooling rack on top, then invert the cake. Remove the baking sheet and top sheet of parchment, and cut the cake in half across the middle of the long side. Spread one half with ice cream, making an evenly thick layer. Invert the other half, including the parchment sheet under it, over the ice cream. Return the cake to the freezer for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, take the cake from the freezer and remove the top sheet of parchment. With a serrated knife, trim the edges of the cake neatly. Cut the cake in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 5 triangles. Transfer the triangles to a serving platter, lifting them away from the bottom sheet of parchment. Serve immediately.

CHERRY-ALMOND ICE CREAM CAKE WITH MILK CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Make chocolate sauce:
• Heat 2/3 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until butter melts. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; let stand 1 minute. Whisk until chocolate melts and sauce is smooth. Mix in vanilla extract. Cool sauce to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Make ice cream cake:
• Line bottom of 9 x 5 x 2 1/2-inch metal loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides. Using back of spoon, spread 1 pint ice cream over bottom of prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with 1 cup cookie crumbs. Spread another 1 pint ice cream over cookie crumbs. Freeze until ice cream is firm, about 20 minutes. Spread with 3/4 cup sauce; freeze 20 minutes. Spread with remaining 1 pint ice cream; sprinkle with 1 cup cookie crumbs, pressing crumbs into ice cream to adhere. Cover pan and freeze ice cream cake until very firm, at least 4 hours. (Can be prepared 5 days ahead. Keep cake frozen. Cover and refrigerate remaining sauce. Store remaining 1 cup crumbs airtight at room temperature.)
• Stir remaining sauce in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until warmed through; pour into small pitcher or bowl. Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Turn cake out onto platter. Peel off parchment. Sprinkle top of cake with remaining 1 cup crumbs.
• Cut cake crosswise into slices. Serve immediately with warm sauce.

APRICOT, ALMOND & PINEAPPLE SOUR CREAM COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition., Transfer half the batter to a greased 10-in. springform pan. Mix pineapple and apricot preserves; drop by tablespoonfuls over batter. Carefully top with remaining batter. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 60-65 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool completely. Remove rim from pan. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar if desired.

LAYERED ALMOND CREAM CHEESE BREAD PUDDING WITH AMARETTO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Coat a 13 by 9 by 3-inch pan with cooking spray. Arrange 4 1/2 bread slices in bottom of prepared pan, cutting slices, as necessary, to fit pan.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread half of cream cheese mixture over bread.
• Whisk together 1 1/4 cups almond filling and 1/2 cup melted butter. Spread half of almond mixture over cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers once, using 4 1/2 bread slices, remaining cream cheese mixture, and remaining almond mixture.
• Cut remaining bread slices into 1-inch cubes, sprinkle evenly over almond mixture.
• Whisk together remaining 8 eggs, remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla, half-and-half, and salt; pour over bread cubes. Cover and chill 30 minutes or until most of egg mixture is absorbed.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Whisk together remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons almond filling, 2 tablespoons sugar, and egg yolk until blended. Drizzle evenly over bread pudding; sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake for 1 hour or until set. Serve warm or chilled with Amaretto Cream Sauce.
• Combine amaretto and cornstarch, stirring until smooth.
• Cook cream in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, just until bubbles appear; gradually stir in amaretto mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and boil, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Remove from heat; stir in sugar, and let cool completely.

STAR ANISE ICE CREAM AND ORANGE, ALMOND, CRANBERRY AND SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the ice cream: In a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine the cream, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, the star anise and vanilla seeds. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat.
• In a small bowl, combine the eggs, salt and the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and beat until smooth.
• Strain the cream mixture through a fine mesh sieve, and then whisk a third of the cream mixture into the eggs. Immediately whisk the eggs back into the cream mixture. Chill the ice cream base over an ice bath and freeze for 30 minutes.
• Using an ice cream maker, churn the ice cream base according to the manufacturer's instructions. Freeze in an airtight container for 1 hour.
• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Cream together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla and eggs. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the mixer, and mix until the batter is smooth. Turn off the mixer and fold in the 3/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds, cranberries, 12 ounces chocolate chunks and orange zest using the spatula.
• Scoop about 1/4 cup of the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving some room between each cookie, for about 12 cookies total. Press down the tops slightly, and bake until the cookies are light brown, 12 minutes for chewy cookies or about 15 minutes for crispy cookies.
• Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a shallow dish, combine the 3/4 cup finely chopped almonds with the 3/4 cup finely chopped chocolate. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop some ice cream onto a cookie, and top with another cookie to form a sandwich. Roll in the almond-chocolate mixture and freeze for 10 minutes before serving.

ALMOND-CRUSTED SALMON WITH LEEK AND LEMON CREAM

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leeks; sauté 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until leeks are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Increase heat to medium; add lemon juice and stir until liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Mix in cream. Simmer until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer mixture to blender. Blend until smooth. Strain sauce into same saucepan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Mix almonds, parsley, lemon peel, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper on plate. Place flour on another plate. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Dredge salmon in flour, shaking off excess. Lightly brush 1 side of salmon with beaten egg. Press brushed side of salmon into almond mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Arrange salmon, nut side up, on baking sheet.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon oil in each of 2 heavy large skillets over medium heat. Add half of salmon to each skillet, almond-coated side down, and cook until crust is brown, about 5 minutes. Turn salmon over. Sauté until salmon is cooked through and opaque in center, about 5 minutes. Transfer salmon to plates.
• Reheat sauce, stirring over medium heat. Spoon around salmon and serve.

ALMOND CREAM-PUFF RING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour a cookie sheet, or use parchment paper. Using a dinner plate as a guide, trace a circle on the sheet.
• In 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil. With a wooden spoon, vigorously stir in flour all at once, until mixture forms a ball, and leaves the sides of the pan. Remove from heat, and beat in the eggs one at a time, until mixture is smooth. Drop batter into 10 mounds inside the circle traced on the cookie sheet, to form a ring.
• Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn off oven, leaving ring in for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool on wire rack. When cool, slice in half horizontally, and place bottom ring on serving plate. Spoon Almond Cream Filling on bottom ring, then replace top ring. Chill in refrigerator.
• To make Almond Cream Filling: Prepare pudding according to instructions on package, but use only 1 1/4 cups milk. Fold in whipped cream, and 1 teaspoon almond extract.
• To make Chocolate Glaze: In a double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, combine chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons milk, and 1 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup. Heat until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. Spoon over the top of chilled ring.

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH ALMOND CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Whisk to combine.
• Beat sugar and butter together using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract, almond extract, and coconut extract; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, mixing until incorporated. Fold in coconut.
• Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese and shortening together using an electric mixer in a mixing bowl until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until creamy. Mix in vanilla extract and almond extract.
• Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Top each with shredded coconut.

MIXED-BERRY CHIFFON CAKE WITH ALMOND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For almond cream filling:
• Pour half and half into medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean and bring cream to simmer. Remove from heat; cover and steep 15 minutes. Blend sugar and flour in medium bowl. Whisk in eggs, then warm half and half mixture; return to same pan. Add almond paste. Whisk over medium heat until almond paste dissolves and custard boils, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate and butter; whisk until melted and smooth. Press plastic wrap onto custard; chill 3 hours. Remove vanilla bean. Beat cream to peaks; fold into custard in 3 additions. Cover; chill at least 6 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter and flour two 10-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Sift flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt into large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup lukewarm water into dry ingredients; beat in oil, egg yolks, both extracts, and peel. Using clean dry beaters, beat whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into batter in 3 additions. Measure 4 2/3 cups batter into 1 prepared pan and 3 1/3 cups batter into second pan.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes for thinner cake and 30 minutes for larger cake. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Cut around cakes and turn out onto racks; cool completely.
• Place thinner cake on 9-inch-diameter tart pan bottom. Spread with 1/2 cup preserves, leaving 1/2-inch plain border. Spoon 1 1/2 cups filling in dollops atop preserves; spread evenly. Chill until filling is firm, about 15 minutes.
• Cut larger cake horizontally in half. Place 1 half, cut side down, atop chilled filling. Spread with 1/2 cup preserves, leaving 1/2-inch plain border. Spoon 1 1/2 cups filling in dollops atop preserves; spread evenly. Top with remaining cake layer, cut side down . Cover cake and remaining filling; chill 3 hours.
• For almond cream cheese frosting:
• Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar, and both extracts in large bowl to blend. Beat in 3/4 cup remaining filling. Spread 1 cup frosting thinly over sides and top of cake. Spread cake with remaining frosting, building high rim around top edge. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and chill.)
• Mound berries on top of cake. Brush top of berries with warm jelly to glaze. Serve immediately, or chill up to 6 hours.

ALMOND-CRUNCH ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Cake:Preheat oven to 300 degrees with rack in center. Spread whole almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack; let cool completely.
• Pulse whole almonds and cake flour in a food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds.
• Butter two 7-inch round cake pans. Line pans with parchment; butter parchment.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together egg whites and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high and gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until stiff and glossy, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Clean mixer bowl and return to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat together egg yolks and vanilla. With mixer on high speed, gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating until pale and thick, about 5 minutes.
• Fold egg-white mixture into egg-yolk mixture. In three additions, fold in almond mixture. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing tops with an offset spatula.
• Bake until a tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack; let cool completely. Turn out cakes and wrap in plastic until ready to use.
• Almond Crunch:Increase oven temperature to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss together sliced almonds, granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons water. Spread almond mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack; let cool completely.
• Assembly:Bring granulated sugar and 1/3 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When sugar has dissolved, remove from heat; add amaretto, if using, and almond extract. Let cool completely.
• Using a serrated knife, split each cake horizontally into two equal layers.
• Cut three 24-by-6-inch strips of parchment. Place strips on top of one another and use to line the sides of a 7-inch springform pan. Generously brush tops of cake layers with syrup. Place a cake layer in prepared pan.
• In the chilled bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat ice cream on medium-low speed until spreadable, about 2 minutes. Spread about 2 cups ice cream over first cake layer. Crumble 1/2 cup almond crunch over ice cream. Top with a second cake layer; transfer to freezer until firm, about 20 minutes. Repeat, spreading 2 cups ice cream and 1/2 cup almond crunch between each layer. Finish with a cake layer. Freeze 1 hour.
• Just before serving, whisk cream and confectioners' sugar to medium peaks in a chilled bowl. Remove cake from freezer and release sides of pan. Transfer cake to a serving platter. Tuck parchment strips under perimeter of cake. Frost top and sides of cake with whipped cream; remove parchment strips. Garnish top with remaining almond crunch; serve immediately.

TORTONI, FROZEN ALMOND CREAM DESSERT

Steps:

• Put the cookies in a small heavy-duty plastic bag and crush them with a heavy object.
• There should be about 1/4 cup crumbs.
• Combine the cream, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and almond extract in a large chilled bowl.
• Beat with a hand-held electric mixer on high speed until the cream holds soft peaks when the beaters are lifted.
• In a clean bowl, with clean beaters, beat the egg whites with the salt on low speed until foamy.
• Gradually increase the speed and beat until the the whites hold soft peaks.
• Fold the whites into the whipped cream.
• Spoon the mixture into 8 wine goblets.
• Sprinkle the tortoni with the amaretti crumbs.
• Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• Remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving.

ALMOND ICE CREAM TERRINE WITH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES AND RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Make truffles:
• Bring cream and butter to boil in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; whisk until smooth. Whisk in amaretto. Pour into small bowl. Freeze until firm enough to form into balls, about 50 minutes.
• Line baking sheet with foil. Using teaspoon, scoop out level teaspoonfuls of chocolate mixture. Drop onto baking sheet. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. Using hands, roll chocolate into balls; return to baking sheet and freeze. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and keep frozen.)
• Make ice cream:
• Combine cream, milk and sugar in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil. Add chopped almonds. Cover and let steep 2 hours.
• Pour cream mixture through fine strainer set over bowl; discard solids in strainer. Return cream mixture to same saucepan. Bring to simmer. Whisk yolks in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot cream mixture into yolks. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 3 minutes (do not boil). Cool slightly. Mix in almond extract. Transfer to bowl and chill custard until cold, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Line 9x5x3-inch glass loaf dish with plastic wrap, overlapping sides by 2 inches. Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturers instructions. Transfer ice cream to prepared dish. Press truffles into ice cream, spacing apart. Cover terrine and freeze until firm, at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Make sauce:
• Puree thawed raspberries in processor. Pour through strainer set over bowl, pressing with back of spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids in strainer. Whisk sugar and amaretto into sauce. Cover and chill. (Terrine and sauce can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep terrine frozen. Keep sauce refrigerated.)
• Turn terrine out onto platter. Peel off plastic. Cut terrine into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Serve with sauce and fresh berries.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for at least 2 minutes. In a large heavy saucepan, heat the milk, sugar and salt until bubbles form around sides of pan. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into the eggs. Return all to the pan, whisking constantly. , Cook and stir over low heat until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat. Stir in gelatin mixture until dissolved; stir in chocolate until blended. Cool quickly by placing pan in a bowl of ice water; stir for 2 minutes. Stir in cream and vanilla. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. , Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer two-thirds full; freeze according to manufacturer's directions. Refrigerate remaining mixture until ready to freeze. When ice cream is frozen, stir in almonds. Transfer to a freezer container; freeze for 2-4 hours before serving.

PUFF PASTRY TART FILLED WITH ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Purée almond paste, granulated sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth. Add 1 egg, vanilla, and almond extract and purée until incorporated. Add flour and pulse until incorporated.
• Roll out 1 puff pastry sheet into an 11 1/2-inch square on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, then brush off excess flour from both sides. Cut out an 11-inch round by tracing around an inverted plate with tip of a paring knife. Transfer round to a buttered large baking sheet (not dark metal, or pastry may brown too much), discarding trimmings, and chill. Repeat procedure with second pastry sheet, leaving round on floured surface.
• Beat remaining egg with a fork and brush some over top of second round. Score round decoratively all over using tip of knife, then make several small slits all the way through pastry, at about 2-inch intervals, to create steam vents.
• Brush some of egg in a 1-inch-wide border around edge of chilled pastry round (on baking sheet). Mound almond cream in center of chilled round, spreading slightly, and bury bean in cream. Immediately cover with decorated round and press edges together lightly. Holding a small spoon with side at an angle, press around edge to seal galette decoratively.
• Bake galette in lower third of oven until puffed and pale golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Dust galette with confectioners sugar and bake in upper third of oven until edge is deep golden brown and shiny, 12 to 15 minutes more. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.

ALMOND PRALINE ICE-CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Make meringue layers:
• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• In a large baking pan toast almonds in one layer in middle of oven 15 to 20 minutes, or until fragrant and golden, and cool completely.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Using a 9-inch springform pan as a guide, trace a circle on each piece of parchment and turn paper over. (Circle will show through.)
• In a food processor pulse together almonds, 3/4 cup sugar, and cornstarch until almonds are ground fine. In the large bowl of a standing electric mixer beat egg whites with cream of tartar and salt until they hold soft peaks. Add almond extract and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until meringue holds stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in almond mixture gently but thoroughly and divide meringue evenly between parchment circles, spreading it to fill in circles. Bake meringue layers in upper and lower thirds of oven 1 hour, or until golden. (Layers will not be completely firm.) Turn oven off. Switch positions of sheets and let layers stand in oven 2 hours, or until dry. Carefully peel off parchment. Meringue layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator).
• With a small sharp knife trim edges of meringue layers just enough to fit inside springform pan. Put 1 layer in pan.
• Scoop 1 pint ice cream and 1 cup praline butter into bowl of standing mixer and with paddle attachment distribute praline butter evenly throughout ice cream to marbleize it. (Do not over-mix or let ice cream melt.) Spread marbled ice cream over meringue layer in pan and top with remaining meringue layer, gently pressing it into ice cream. Freeze cake, covered with plastic wrap, 30 minutes.
• Beat remaining 1 cup praline butter into remaining 1 pint ice cream in same manner as above and spread over meringue layer. Freeze cake, covered with plastic wrap, at least 30 minutes, or until ice cream is firm.
• In a chilled bowl beat heavy cream with sugar until it just holds stiff peaks and spread over ice cream. Freeze ice-cream cake 30 to 45 minutes, or until whipped cream is firm. Cover cake with plastic wrap and foil and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Immediately before serving the cake, wrap a warm dampened kitchen towel around side of pan and run a thin knife around cake to loosen it. Remove side of pan and transfer cake to a serving plate. Cut cake into wedges with a knife dipped repeatedly in hot water and serve garnished with pieces of almond praline if desired.