Beyond their delicate sweetness and buttery texture, almonds bring a unique nutty flavor that elevates any dessert. While they may not pack as much punch as peanuts, sweet almonds add an earthy depth to our treats. To truly capture the essence of almonds in your baking, consider using almond paste or extract – it’s what gives many classic desserts their distinctive character. With so many ways to incorporate almonds into your sweets, you can easily make them the central attraction.
From creamy cheesecakes to rich cakes and decadent chocolates, our list of 33 mouthwatering almond desserts has something for everyone to try.
Almond Biscotti
Effectively balancing crunch and softness is a key aspect of making perfect biscotti. These twice-baked cookies are designed to remain dry and slightly crisp for longer shelf life. When submerged in coffee, the crunchy texture instantly gives way to a softer, more palatable crumb. Traditionally, biscotti are served with coffee as it helps to soften the crunch, creating a delightful contrast of textures.
However, achieving this balance requires careful dough handling – avoid overmixing and always allow the dough time to rest before baking to ensure optimal texture. The final bake should be brief, lasting just long enough for the biscotti to turn a light golden hue. Even novice bakers can create simple almond biscotti with ease, thanks to their straightforward preparation.
Almond And Chocolate Florentine
Creating delicate Florentine biscuits requires a thoughtful balance of ingredients. Typically, these cookies are baked with a mixture of honey, sugar, nuts, dried fruit, and additional nuts – however, you can experiment with various combinations to suit your taste preferences. As the cookies cook, the caramelized bubbles form holes that resemble lace, earning them the nickname ‘lace cookies.
‘ The addition of almonds provides a fantastic nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the honey and sugar in the Florentine. Furthermore, the inclusion of chocolate helps balance out the overall sweetness. Once the heavy job is done by the oven, these biscuits will be golden and wonderfully delicious in no time.
Mocha Almond Fudge
Just when you thought it was impossible to create an impossibly rich and decadent chocolate treat, we’ve got the solution: mocha almond fudge that’s sure to satisfy any chocolate craving. This luscious fudge combines the deep flavors of dark chocolate with the subtle nuttiness of almonds, creating a truly irresistible taste experience. And the best part? It’s a no-bake recipe, making it perfect for hot summer days or as a quick and easy holiday gift idea.
To create this indulgent treat, gently melt the chocolate using a double boiler, taking care to avoid burning the chocolate. Once smooth and melted, pour the fudge into a prepared pan and top with chopped almonds for added texture and flavor. Next, refrigerate the mixture for at least 3 hours, allowing it to set and firm up before slicing. The result is a creamy, rich, and utterly delicious mocha almond fudge that’s sure to impress even the most discerning chocolate lovers.
And if you want to take it to the next level, feel free to add in some dried fruit or other mix-ins of your choice, creating a truly one-of-a-kind treat that’s all yours.
Thumbprint Cookies
Often considered a staple for holiday gatherings, these scrumptious raspberry and almond thumbprint cookies are a must-make treat. Their visually appealing presentation is only matched by their perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and nutty flavors.
Almond Croissants
Everyone looking for a shortcut in making traditional croissants can consider using quick croissants as a substitute, given that crafting authentic ones requires a significant amount of time and effort.
Paleo Almond Coffee Cake
A perfect addition to your morning routine, this scrumptious gluten-free paleo coffee cake is tailored to those seeking a healthier twist on the classic treat. Although it won’t rise as dramatically as its conventional counterpart, thanks to the use of almond flour, the cake remains surprisingly light and fluffy due to the incorporation of an artificial sweetener, allowing for no added sugar.
The tender crumb of the cake is sure to delight, while the icing adds a rich and indulgent touch that’s simply irresistible. With its subtle sweetness, this cake makes an excellent choice for breakfast, and can easily be adapted to suit vegan requirements by substituting eggs with a suitable alternative.
Almond Joy Cookies
Laying aside traditional methods, making Almond Joys at home can be done without constantly dipping a chilled mixture of coconut and almonds into molten chocolate. This dish showcases how remarkable flavors can be achieved in significantly less time than expected. Not only is this approach simpler, but it also yields the same rich and creamy flavor that you’ve grown to love.
By incorporating chocolate chips directly into the mixture, you can still experience the indulgent taste without going through the elaborate process of coating everything in chocolate.
Strawberry Almond Buckle
Zestfully combining elements from both cakes, the batter rises and ‘buckles’ around the fruit to create this unique dessert. Its texture is remarkably similar to that of a traditional fruit cobbler, albeit with a lighter consistency. The presence of almond meal contributes to a denser crumb compared to the coffee cake recipe mentioned earlier, but the addition of flour helps balance it out.
When savored warm, drizzled with honey or paired with a scoop of ice cream, this treat is nothing short of delightful.
Almond Butter Cups
Having considered the issue of peanut allergies, it’s great to explore alternative nut-based desserts that are just as rich and indulgent. The almond butter cup variants in this recipe are an excellent choice for those who cannot tolerate peanuts due to their extreme creaminess. What sets these treats apart is the simplicity of their ingredients list, requiring a mere 5 components to create the dessert.
Fresh Cherry Almond Cake
Creating desserts that highlight the natural flavors of fresh ingredients is a staple of European cuisine. Many classic desserts rely on simple combinations of fruits and plain sponge cakes to let the ingredients shine. The absence of overly sweet or elaborate toppings allows the true taste of each component to come through, making for a refreshing experience. This approach is particularly evident in French patisserie, where delicate flavors are often prioritized over rich decorations.
With this recipe, you can recreate a quintessential French dessert: an almond cake with an incredibly light and moist texture, achieved by incorporating Greek yogurt or sour cream for optimal tenderness. The best part? It’s ready to devour in under an hour.
Glazed Almond Cookies
Offering a delightful twist on traditional desserts, these cookies boast an incredibly soft, buttery, and exquisitely delicate texture even without the addition of icing. The subtle yet potent almond flavoring shines through, making every bite a treat, even without the extra crunch from nuts on top. To create the accompanying glaze, you’ll need just three simple ingredients: almond extract, water, and powdered sugar.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – simply adjust the ratio of these ingredients to achieve the perfect balance between thickness and drizzle-ability. Whether you’re baking with your little ones or looking for a quick dessert solution, this recipe is an ideal choice due to its ease and fun factor.
Swedish Almond Tart
Delighting foodies with their unique flavor profiles, the Swedes have a special place in their hearts for warming spices and almonds. One of the most delightful aspects of this tiny tart is its simplicity, which makes it even more endearing to those who try it. To amplify the nutty taste, you can prepare the tart crust using ground almonds, resulting in a buttery and crumbly texture that’s simply irresistible.
The soft and cookie-like sweet almond paste used as the filling adds an extra layer of depth to the dessert. But what truly takes this treat to the next level is the sprinkle of caramelized almonds on top, providing a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor. With every bite, you’ll experience a perfect balance of textures and tastes – and it’s all thanks to the star ingredient: almonds.
This incredibly delicious dessert is surprisingly easy to make and can be ready in just 45 minutes, making it an ideal treat for any occasion.
Butter Almond English Toffee
Observing the fundamental differences between caramel and toffee reveals that the latter lacks cream and is cooked at a higher temperature to achieve a perfect set. This distinct preparation method allows toffee to develop a richer, almost bitter flavor profile when done correctly, making it an ideal complement to almonds. Nevertheless, it’s essential to add baking soda to prevent the toffee from becoming overly hard and inedible.
One of the most crucial aspects to consider when working with sugar at high temperatures is its rapid transformation from amber to black; thus, using a candy thermometer is highly recommended to ensure accuracy and achieve the desired result.
Sicilian Almond Brittle
You may be surprised by how well-known this sweet dish is in Spain and Italy, where it often features dried fruits and nuts. The process of combining these ingredients involves simply cooking the nuts and sugar together until they become brittle, a crucial step that requires careful attention to temperature. It’s essential to cook the sugar slowly and patiently, allowing it to reach the perfect temperature without stirring, as this can cause sugar crystals to form.
Furthermore, once the almonds are added, be aware that the mixture will start to solidify due to the decrease in temperature. To avoid any complications, prepare all ingredients beforehand and move quickly yet safely through the cooking process.
Lemon Almond Muffins
Mixing lemons and almonds creates a delightful combination, reminiscent of the pairing between almonds and tart raspberries. The subtle nuttiness of the almonds is perfectly complemented by the zesty freshness of the lemons, making them an ideal match. This muffin recipe follows a traditional approach, but feel free to put your own twist on it using dried fruits, dark chocolate chips, or grated orange zest to create something unique.
It’s worth noting that without the lemon glaze, these treats lack a distinct lemon flavor. To fully appreciate the tanginess of the lemons, don’t forget to top them with the icing.
Almendrados
Differing from the typical almond-based treats found in Alicante, Spain, where wheat is scarce, many local pastries take an innovative approach by substituting flour with ground almonds. The absence of traditional wheat gives these cookies a unique texture and flavor profile. With a nutty taste that’s both rich and indulgent, they’re sure to delight. To create the perfect cookie, simply whip egg whites until firm peaks are achieved before gently folding in the severed yolks.
This technique ensures an exceptionally decadent finish. Perfect for gifting during the holiday season, these treats pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, their simplicity and depth making them a delightful accompaniment to any gathering.
Italian Pear Almond Cake
Various European fruit cakes have been explored in this blog, each with its unique flavor profile. However, none are as tantalizing as the pear version presented here. Unlike other variations, this dessert boasts an abundance of pear flavor that is both sweet and juicy. In stark contrast to the cherry-based version mentioned earlier, which only features a few scattered cherries on top.
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Brownies
Dive into the world of delicious and gooey brownies with this recipe that’s sure to become a new favorite. The irresistible combination of almond butter and coconut flour creates a unique texture that’s neither cakey nor chewy, but rather falls somewhere in between. These brownies are so fudgy and rich that you might find yourself sneaking into the baking dish before they’ve even cooled down. And the best part?
They contain no flour at all, yet still manage to produce a perfectly formed crust while remaining perfectly melted in the middle. For an added touch of fudginess, simply replace traditional eggs with flax eggs to create a vegan-friendly version that’s also incredibly moist and indulgent. With these brownies, you’ll be treated to a win-win situation every time you bake them.
No-Churn, Dairy-Free Creamy Almond Butter Ice Cream
End result of this simple recipe is a deliciously creamy ice cream that’s perfect for those with dietary restrictions. To make this vegan-friendly ice cream, blend together dates, dairy-free milk, almond butter, salt, and vanilla and almond extracts until you get a smooth consistency. This unique combination will give your ice cream an ultra-creamy texture. Feel free to add any additional ingredients that you enjoy, such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips, to make it even more special.
A small amount of rum or vodka can be added to the mixture to prevent ice crystals from forming and giving a softer finish. Despite its potential addition of liquor, this ice cream is still suitable for children due to the minimal amount used.
Almond Shortbread Cookies
Keen on elevating your shortbread game? Consider incorporating almonds into the mix. The addition of both almond essence and ground almonds will not only amplify the flavor but also provide a delightful texture contrast. If you’d like to add an extra layer of visual interest, you can use almond meal instead of traditional flour. Alternatively, take it up a notch by toasting and grinding your own whole almonds for a beautifully nuanced flavor and color combination.
Whether enjoyed as a snack or gifted to loved ones, these almond-infused shortbread cookies are sure to impress.
Almond Rhubarb Muffins With Almond Streusel Topping
Zest for fall is in the air, and what better way to satisfy your rhubarb cravings than with these soft and indulgent almond rhubarb muffins accompanied by a crunchy almond streusel topping? The delightful combination of flavors will leave you craving more.
One of the most striking aspects of this recipe is the unique texture it produces – unlike other muffin batters, which can be runny or lumpy due to their liquid-rich composition, these muffins boast a rich, airy, and fluffy consistency thanks to the creamed butter and sugar base.
Dark Chocolate Almond Rocks
Taking just two key ingredients – chocolate and almonds – this dessert stands out for its simplicity. Toasting the almonds is a crucial step, as it allows the natural oils in the nuts to be released, thereby intensifying their sweet flavor. Once toasted, all that’s left to do is combine the two ingredients, making sure the chocolate coats the almonds completely while still liquid. For added depth of flavor, you can also stir in some caramel chunks and a sprinkle of sea salt.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – feel free to experiment with additional ingredients or stick to the original version.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Elevating traditional shortbread cookies to new heights, these delicate and nutty treats are often served at weddings, but their deliciousness makes them perfect for any time of year. Essentially, they’re an adaptation of classic shortbread, made by incorporating ground almonds into the dough. To achieve the right texture, it’s crucial to finely chop the nuts, as coarse particles can disrupt the cookie’s shape and make it crumbly.
For added depth of flavor, consider roasting your almonds before grinding them. Additionally, experimenting with creative shapes is easy – try wrapping the dough around a Hershey’s Kiss for an exciting surprise that will remain hidden within the center, providing a delightful velvety treat when broken into.
Almond Macaroons
Welcoming a new sweet treat into your life has never been easier than with almond macaroons. Unlike their more popular counterparts, coconut macaroons, these chewy delights are often overlooked, but they have just as much to offer in terms of softness and ease of preparation. The key to achieving the perfect texture lies in handling the dough with care, gently mixing it to avoid any lumps or tough spots.
Next, allow the dough ample time to set in the refrigerator for at least two hours before baking. To add a decorative touch, roll the macaroons in powdered sugar and use your fingers to create the distinctive cracked surface on each one. It’s clear that making these almond macaroons is simpler than you might think. When you serve them as dessert, be prepared to amaze your guests with their delightful flavor and appearance.
Almond Roca Bars
Flavor balance is crucial when creating a dessert like chocolate-covered almonds, which is why using almond extract is highly recommended in this recipe. It helps to harmonize with the other dominant flavors present, particularly the rich and intense chocolate. The addition of chocolate toppings plays a significant role in striking the perfect balance between sweetness and richness from the almonds.
Conversely, those who are willing to invest extra time can create these Roca bars using brown butter, which will astound them with its nutty flavor and deeper color compared to regular butter.
Almond Joy Chocolate And Coconut Ice Cream
Often, the idea of homemade ice cream can be daunting due to the need for special equipment or extensive preparation time. However, this recipe takes a different approach by utilizing high-quality store-bought vanilla ice cream as its base. Once the ice cream has reached a softened state, it’s simply a matter of incorporating sweetened coconut flakes and bittersweet chocolate into the mix.
The resulting flavor combination will provide an exquisite balance of sweet coconut, cool vanilla, and rich chocolate with each bite. To add an extra touch of elegance, drizzle the chocolate sauce over the top of the ice cream just before serving, creating a beautiful swirl effect in the process. It’s worth noting that it’s essential not to over-mix the ingredients, as this can cause the mixture to turn brown and lose its desired appearance.
The end result will be a visually appealing treat that kids are sure to love.
Pumpkin Bread With Almond Streusel
Lightly toasted almonds add a delightful crunch to the top of this incredibly moist pumpkin bread, making it a perfect treat for any season. The abundance of warming spices such as cinnamon and ginger infuse the bread with an unmistakable sense of comfort, while the sweet and crunchy almond topping provides a delightful contrast to the soft bread beneath.
This scrumptious fall-inspired dessert can be prepared in under an hour, but trust us when we say that it’s well worth taking the time to make.
Swedish Almond And Cardamom Mini Cakes
Cardamom is an integral part of Swedish cuisine, often paired with mild spices and almonds to create a unique flavor profile that’s savored throughout the year. The widespread availability of these cardamom buns is largely due to their subtle licorice undertones, which are a staple in Swedish sweet treats. These small cakes offer an unparalleled taste experience, characterized by their delicate texture, extreme moistness, and generous dusting of sugar and cardamom powder.
Each bite transports the palate on a journey, with flavors of almond and cardamom expertly balanced to create a delightful harmony that’s nothing short of exceptional.
Coconut Almond Bars
Elevate your dessert game with these incredible bars, crafted with corn syrup and condensed milk, resulting in an ooey, rich consistency reminiscent of a classic pecan pie. Those familiar with seven-layer cookie bars will recognize the similarity in texture. The foundation of this indulgent treat begins with a baked almond cookie and brown sugar base, providing a perfect canvas for the gooey filling to shine.
To bring it all together, add condensed milk, toasted coconut, and almond extract on top. As the dessert is still warm, take it to the next level by sprinkling on caramel, chocolate chips, and sliced almonds, making this an unforgettable experience for your family and guests alike.
