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The delicious world of almond recipes from almond pastries and cakes to Amaretto cocktails, guaranteed to satisfy any almond lovers’ cravings.
Do you crave almond recipes?
I do. I’ll pick out the almond pastry in any bakery lineup, any day. I can scan a dessert menu for the word almond in a nano second. And every time I open a bottle of almond extract I have to spend a few quiet moments just inhaling that aroma. When I’m spiking a recipe or want a special cocktail it’s got to include Amaretto. Almond recipes are my everything.
Is that weird? I hope a few of you feel the same way (or I’ll definitely feel weird.)
Let’s dig in
- Do you crave almond recipes?
- What’s so special about almonds?
- What makes that amazing almond flavor?
- What’s the best almond flavoring for your almond recipes?
- Almond extract is a secret weapon
- Almond Cakes
- Almond Cookies
- Almond Bars + Blondies
- Almond recipes for breakfast
- Almond tarts and pavlovas
- Almond flour cake recipes
- Frozen almond desserts
- Almond candy
- Savory almond recipes
- Other almond recipes
What’s so special about almonds?
- Technically,almonds are not true nuts like walnuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews.
- Almonds aredrupes. Drupes are a type of fruit containing a single seed surrounded by a fleshy mesocarp (middle layer) and a hard endocarp (inner layer) ~ the pit we often associate with the fruit. Examples of drupes include cherries, peaches, and apricots.
- Almonds contain a higher concentration of a specific aromatic compound calledbenzaldehyde. Benzaldehyde is responsible for the characteristic almond flavor we love so much.
- Research suggests potential health benefits associated with moderate almond consumption, including reduced risk of heart disease, improved blood sugar control, and weight management.
What makes that amazing almond flavor?
The story of almond flavoring is surprisingly interesting! Traditionally, bitter almonds were used to make almond flavoring. They contain amygdalin, which breaks down into benzaldehyde, the compound responsible for the characteristic “almond” flavor. However amygdalin can also break down into cyanide, a potentially deadly poison, and so this practice was risky. You cannot buy bitter almonds in the US today, because of this.
Amygdalin is also found in:
- Apricot pits
- Peach pits
- Cherry pits
Many if not most modern flavorings are safely made with synthetically produced benzaldehyde, which still gives the flavor, without the risk. But some brands of pure almond extract are still made from small amounts of bitter almond oil, and they tend to be more expensive. These ingredients will be clearly printed on your almond extract or flavoring bottle.
What’s the best almond flavoring for your almond recipes?
Epicurious did a study of over a dozen almond flavorings and extracts ~ they came up with McCormick’s Almond Flavoring as the winner. My personal choice? Neilsen-Massey Almond Extract (made with bitter almond oil.)
Almond extract is a secret weapon
I use almond extract in so many ways in my kitchen. In the almond recipes below, of course, but you’d be surprised the number of unlikely places I sneak it in (Nantucket cranberry pie….blueberry muffins…cardamom plum crumble bars.) It serves as a perfect companion to vanilla and creates a whole new, so much more complex flavor profile in a lot of desserts. I like the combo so much I rarely use vanilla alone anymore.
Almond Cakes
- Almond Ricotta Cake
- Almond Layer Cake with Blackberry Buttercream
- Norwegian Rhubarb and Almond Cake
- Almond Fig Cake
- Cherry Almond Crisp Dump Cake
- Swedish Visiting Cake
Almond Ricotta Cake
4.95 from 52 votes
Italian almond ricotta cake is a new favorite of mine, the flavor and texture are irresistible!
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Almond Layer Cake with Blackberry Buttercream
4.39 from 36 votes
This celebratory Almond Layer Cake with Blackberry Buttercream is an elegant combination of the perfect yellow cake with an unusual tangy berry frosting…don't be surprised if this easy layer cake becomes your most requested dessert.
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Norwegian Rhubarb and Almond Cake
4.44 from 150 votes
This Norwegian Rhubarb and Almond Cake is a delicate breakfast cake that features the unusual combination of tart rhubarb with almond. This is an ideal spring brunch cake.
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Almond Fig Cake
4.93 from 13 votes
My almond fig cake is a lovely, not too sweet coffee cake in the Mediterranean tradition that's great for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.
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Cherry Almond Crisp Dump Cake
5 from 2 votes
This deliciously easy cherry almond crisp has a tart homemade cherry filling topped with an almond crumble that starts with a French vanilla cake mix. Whoever said 'easy as pie' obviously never made a crisp!
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Swedish Visiting Cake
4.95 from 34 votes
Swedish Visiting Cake is a simple yet delicious almond coffee cake with a crispy top and a soft, moist center.
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Almond Cookies
- Paste di Mandorla ~ Sicilian Almond Paste Cookies
- Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Almond Lace Wafers
- Sarah Bernhardt Cookies
- Toasted Almond Russian Tea Cakes
- Roasted Rhubarb Lady’s Kiss Cookies (baci di dama)
Paste di Mandorla ~ Sicilian Almond Paste Cookies
5 from 14 votes
Authentic Italian almond paste cookies with lemon are perfect with tea or coffee. These soft amaretti style almond cookies are easy and delicious!
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Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
3.34 from 222 votes
Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies ~ these gluten free cookies are made without flour or butter, and they beat your favorite chocolate chip cookie by a mile!
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Almond Lace Wafers
3.48 from 50 votes
These delicate almond lace wafer cookies are gluten free and have a wonderfully light crisp texture. Dip them in chocolate or leave them plain, they’re always a hit!
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Sarah Bernhardt Cookies
3.59 from 12 votes
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Toasted Almond Russian Tea Cakes
4.59 from 17 votes
Delicate shortbread cookies made with toasted almonds and coated with powdered sugar.
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Roasted Rhubarb Lady’s Kiss Cookies (baci di dama)
4.27 from 19 votes
Roasted Rhubarb Lady's Kiss Cookies (baci di dama) ~ the roasted rhubarb buttercream is sweet and tangy, and the almond cookies are light as air…I'm pretty sure they serve these cookies in heaven.
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Almond Bars + Blondies
- Almond Shortbread Bars
- Raspberry Almond Bars
- Scandinavian Almond Bars
- Sour Cherry Almond Bars
- Outrageous Almond Butter Skillet Blondies
- No Bake White Chocolate Almond Butter Squares
Almond Shortbread Bars
4.18 from 231 votes
Almond Shortbread Bars ~ melt in your mouth shortbread infused with a homemade almond paste, and topped with a to-die-for sweet almond glaze.
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Raspberry Almond Bars
5 from 9 votes
Crazy good raspberry almond bars that have a vibrant raspberry filling, lots of almond flavor, and a unique soft and crunchy texture ~ you can't go wrong with this recipe!
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Scandinavian Almond Bars
3.66 from 38 votes
Scandinavian Almond Bars are easy dessert bars for serious almond lovers!
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Sour Cherry Almond Bars
3.76 from 157 votes
Sour Cherry Almond Bars ~ the cherry filling is nice and tart, the almond crumble is chewy and butterscotch-y ~ these are a must make!
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Outrageous Chocolate Hazelnut Blondies
4.25 from 8 votes
Outrageous Chocolate Hazelnut Blondies ~ these blondies are made with hazelnuts, Nutella, and dark chocolate chips for a truly unique flavor.
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White Chocolate Almond Butter Squares
3.50 from 10 votes
No Bake White Chocolate Almond Butter Squares ~ a variation on the popular peanut butter and chocolate bars, this easy no bake dessert is a family favorite.
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Almond recipes for breakfast
- Raspberry Almond Puff Pastry Danish
- Overnight Steel Cut Oats with Whiskey Butter
- Almond Poppy Seed French Toast
- Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
Raspberry Almond Puff Pastry Danish
5 from 16 votes
Raspberry almond puff pastry Danish is an easy homemade Danish recipe that's not too sweet, with a rich cream cheese filling and the perfect flaky crust. Breakfast just got a whole lot more interesting!
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Overnight Crock Pot Oatmeal with Almond Butter and Honey
4.38 from 8 votes
Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal with Almond Butter and Honey ~ wake up to this healthy, protein rich breakfast, no slaving over a hot stove in your pajamas necessary!
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Almond Poppy Seed French Toast
3.71 from 97 votes
Almonds lovers listen up ~ my Almond Poppy Seed French Toast is a super delicious twist on the classic breakfast treat ~ made with brioche bread and buttermilk in the batter, this is a winner!
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Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
3.61 from 38 votes
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Almond tarts and pavlovas
- Almond Pear Tart
- White Peach Frangipane Galette
- Rainier Cherry Almond Tart
- toasted almond pavlova with summer berries
Almond Pear Tart
4.95 from 20 votes
In this classic pear tart, a simple almond-scented filling makes a heavenly pairing with gorgeous Bosc pears for an unforgettable fall treat.
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White Peach Frangipane Galette
4.30 from 20 votes
White Peach Frangipane Galette ~ galettes are wonderfully casual desserts perfect for cooks who don't think they can manage pies.
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Rainier Cherry Almond Tart
4 from 43 votes
Rainier Cherry Almond Tart ~ Rainier cherries are a seasonal treat not to be missed! This easy almond scented tart can be a simple dessert, or a very elegant sidekick to a cup of good coffee.
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Almond Pavlova with Summer Berries
5 from 7 votes
My almond pavlova is a crisp meringue topped with toasted almonds, whipped cream, and summer berries for a glorious gluten free dessert!
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Almond flour cake recipes
- Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
- Meyer Lemon Cake
- Easy Almond Macaroon Cake (gluten free!)
- Flourless Tangerine Cake
- Flourless Tangerine Cake
- Gluten Free Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
4.75 from 20 votes
A deliciously easy gluten free chocolate cake made with olive oil instead of butter.
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Meyer Lemon Cake
3.43 from 279 votes
This naturally gluten free Meyer Lemon cake is made with the entire lemon, peel and all, and has a tender texture and a fresh lemon flavor.
Easy Almond Macaroon Cake
4.95 from 36 votes
This Easy Almond Macaroon Cake is a one-bowl gluten free cake made with lots of almonds, and sweetened coconut ~ it's elegant, simple, and delicious!
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Flourless Tangerine Cake
3.81 from 242 votes
My Flourless Tangerine Cake is made with whole tangerines and almond flour in the Italian tradition ~ it's impossibly moist and bursting with citrus flavor,like biting into a fresh tangerine!
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Belgian Chocolate Cake (Gluten Free)
3.70 from 396 votes
This Flourless Belgian Chocolate Cake is a chocolate lover's dream ~ this easy chocolate cake makes an elegant base for any fancy toppings you might want to add, too, from fresh berries to spiked whipped cream.
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Gluten Free Zucchini Cake
4.75 from 20 votes
Gluten Free Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, grain-free, lightly spiced and generously frosted dessert.
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Frozen almond desserts
- Toasted Almond Milkshake
- Easy Plum Amaretto Sorbet
- Wild Blueberry and Almond Butter Yogurt Popsicles
- The Frozen Turkey Cocktail
Toasted Almond Frosted Milkshake
4.50 from 20 votes
This Toasted Almond Milkshake is the ultimate almond indulgence…if you loved the Good Humor man's Toasted Almond ice cream bar you're going to want to stick around for this…
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Easy Plum Amaretto Sorbet
4.29 from 14 votes
Easy Plum Amaretto Sorbet ~ this epic summer fruit sorbet is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted, it’s like biting into a ripe juicy plum, only exploded tenfold. To be honest, a fresh plum never tasted so good!
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Wild Blueberry and Almond Butter Yogurt Popsicles
4.50 from 4 votes
Wild Blueberry and Almond Butter Yogurt Popsicles are made with nonfat yogurt, creamy almond butter, and frozen blueberries for a healthy smoothie on a stick.
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The Frozen Turkey Cocktail
4.59 from 17 votes
The Frozen Turkey is an adult cocktail of epic proportions, your holidays are never going to be the same, trust me! This spiked ice cream milkshake is guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition.
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Almond candy
- White Toasted Almond Bark
- White Toasted Almond Truffles
- Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
White Toasted Almond Bark with Sea Salt
3.87 from 150 votes
Toasted almond bark is an incredibly easy homemade candy that features deeply toasted almonds embedded in creamy white chocolate ~ the combination is unbelievable, you have to try it for yourself!
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White Toasted Almond Truffles
3.62 from 13 votes
Easy white chocolate truffles flavored with almond and Amaretto
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Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
4.45 from 9 votes
Homemade Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups ~ because nobody should have to choose between healthy and dessert!
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Savory almond recipes
- Green Beans Almondine
- Sicilian Pasta with Almonds and Anchovies
- Fragrant Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf
- Spanish Almond Soup “ajo blanco”
- Couscous Almondine Salad
Green Beans Almondine
5 from 3 votes
Green beans almondine is elegant, delicious, and super easy to make. It's a go-to side dish for holidays and family meals.
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Sicilian Pasta with Almonds and Anchovies
3.64 from 38 votes
Sicilian Pasta with Almonds and Anchovies is a simply lush 30 minute meal that typifies the healthy Mediterranean diet…and please don't tell me you don't like anchovies — just hold that thought until the end of the post 🙂
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Fragrant Toasted Almond Pilaf
4 from 9 votes
My Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf has roots in ancient cuisines, but it's vegan and gluten free, so it'll please a modern crowd too!
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Spanish Almond Soup
3.78 from 18 votes
Spanish Almond Soup ~ aka ajo blanco, or white gazpacho, is a cool and creamy chilled soup without a speck of dairy ~ it’s wonderfully refreshing!
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Couscous Salad
4.60 from 10 votes
Couscous Almondine Salad is a completely new take on classic pasta salad ~ this no mayo recipe is a great side for summer barbecues, potlucks, and picnics.
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Other almond recipes
- Dark Roasted Almonds
- How to Make Almond Milk
- How to Make Homemade Almond Paste!
Dark Roasted Almonds
4.80 from 5 votes
Deeply roasted almonds with an unexpectedly intense flavor ~ the easiest most delicious appetizer we've ever had!
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Homemade Pure Raw Almond Milk
5 from 1 vote
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How to Make Homemade Almond Paste!
3.62 from 34 votes
How to Make Homemade Almond Paste ~ this is easy, fresh, authentic almond paste made super quick and easy in your food processor. Wrap it up, refrigerate, and get on with baking your favorite almond-y treats.
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