Almond Cookie Shells For Ice Cream Recipes

ALMOND COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth and increased in volume, 5 to 8 minutes (alternatively, use a hand mixer). Add the almond extract.
• Use a large strainer or sifter to sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and allspice. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a spatula to mix in the dry ingredients. Stir until blended. Stir in the nuts.
• Roll the dough into small balls and gently flatten them onto a baking sheet. They do not spread a lot, but leave some room in between them just in case. Bake in the oven until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly before serving.
• For the ice cream sandwiches: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and cook until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. (Alternatively, you can also brown the almonds in a large pan over medium-high heat).
• Put the ice cream in a bowl and mash it with 2 wooden spoons so it softens up. Fold in the almonds and grated chocolate. Spread between 2 cookies.

ALMOND ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cook ½ cup sliced almonds with the sugar and the salt over medium heat until deeply golden and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Reserve.
• In the same pot, toast 1 cup sliced almonds until deeply golden, about 5 minutes. Add cream, milk, sugar and salt to the pot and simmer until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk yolks. Whisking constantly, slowly whisk about a third of the hot cream into the yolks, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the pot with the cream.
• Return pot to medium-low heat and gently cook until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer). Remove from heat and let steep 1 hour.
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing down hard on the solids. Add almond extract to base and cool mixture to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's instructions. Break reserved caramelized nuts into pieces and add to base during the last 2 minutes of churning. Serve directly from the machine for soft serve, or store in freezer until needed.