Holiday Almond Cakes Recipes

HOLIDAY ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, almond paste and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extract. Gradually add flour just until moistened., Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining sugar; top with almonds. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.

ALMOND CAKES

Steps:

• 10Special equipment: 12 (1/8-cup) barquette molds or a mini-muffin pan with 12 (1/8-cup) muffin cups preparation.
• Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F Brush molds with melted butter and lightly dust with flour, knocking out excess flour.
• Stir together flour (3 tablespoons) and salt in a small bowl.
• Beat together softened butter and granulated sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in almond paste and vanilla until combined well, then beat in egg until combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Divide batter among molds or muffin cups, spreading evenly, then transfer to a baking sheet (not necessary if using muffin pan).
• Bake cakes until just firm and edges are golden, about 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely, about 5 minutes. Turn cakes right side up and dust tops with confectioners sugar just before serving.
• Cooks' note: Cakes can be made 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

HOLIDAY ALMOND CAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Grease and flour four small loaf pans.In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.In a small bowl, combine almonds and cherries. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of the flour mixture over almonds and cherries and toss until well coated.In a large mixer bowl at low speed, beat sugar, butter, eggs, and almond extract. Increase speed to high and beat for 5 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Fold in almonds and cherries until evenly distributed (batter may look slightly curdled). Spoon mixture into small loaf pans, spreading evenly.Bake 50 to 55 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove if desired. Cool cakes completely. See "Wrapping And Storing Tips" on reverse side of sheet.High Altitude Adjustments: At 6,000 feet, no adjustments needed.

HOLIDAY WHITE CAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add candy coating and extracts; beat well. Combine the flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in coconut. , Pour into two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost between layers; frost top and sides of cake.