Recipes with almonds

Buttery brown sugar shortbread pressed into a sheet pan, brushed with egg white, and topped with cinnamon sugar and sliced almonds. Cut into elegant diamond shapes for a cookie platter showstopper.

Chocolate mint sticks: a fudgy almond-chocolate brownie base, a cool peppermint buttercream middle, and a glossy chocolate glaze on top. Three layers of mint-chocolate in neat little bars.

Macerated strawberries spooned into sherbet dishes and draped with a brandy-kissed yogurt cream, then scattered with sliced almonds and chocolate shavings. An Italian no-cook dessert ready in 30 minutes.

Parisian hearts, a French almond cookie sandwich cut in heart shapes, filled with lemon icing and raspberry jam peeking through a cutout center. Elegant, buttery, and bakery-beautiful.

Chocolate cheesecake on a buttery Oreo crumb crust, spiked with amaretto and finished with chocolate-sour-cream glaze. Dramatic dinner-party dessert topped with toasted almonds and chocolate curls.

Fudgy brownies lightened with prune puree instead of butter, topped with a chewy coconut macaroon layer and a chocolate drizzle. A two-in-one treat that's richer and more wholesome than it looks.

Old-fashioned mince meat with calf tongue, suet, dried fruit, candied citrus, brandy and whiskey. The traditional pie filling, aged in a crock for at least 7 weeks for deep holiday flavor.

A layered casserole of wild rice, poached chicken, green beans, and mushrooms in a sherry-Parmesan cream sauce topped with sliced almonds. Minnesota hot-dish at its best.

Persian sweet rice (shirin polo) cooked in fresh orange juice with orange zest, shredded carrots, toasted almonds, and raisins. A fragrant, jewel-toned side dish for special occasions.

Persian sweet rice (shirin polo) cooked in fresh orange juice with orange zest, shredded carrots, toasted almonds, and raisins. A fragrant, jewel-toned side dish for special occasions.

A golden, billowy oven-puffed pancake with lemon zest and vanilla, crowned with sweet black cherries, sliced almonds, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Inn-worthy brunch in 40 minutes.

Buttery almond cutout cookies shaped like birds with sliced almond feather wings and a sparkly sugar glaze. A whimsical holiday baking project the whole family will love.

Buttery shortbread base topped with raspberry jam and broiled almond meringue. Two-stage baking creates layers of tender cake, fruity jam, and golden meringue.

Baked curried fruit casserole with pears, peaches, pineapple, apricots, and cherries layered with slivered almonds in a buttery brown sugar curry glaze. A retro holiday side dish that's best made a day ahead.

Italian double-baked chocolate biscotti with toasted almonds, cocoa, espresso powder, and a surprise hint of ginger and white pepper. Crisp, dark, and dunk-ready.

Bluefish fillets soaked in white wine, coated in crushed almonds and herbs, then rolled around cherry tomatoes and baked. Served over parsley-romano noodles.