Toasted Almond Cream Pie With Boysenberry Topping Recipes

DARK CHOCOLATE WHOOPIE PIES WITH TOASTED ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 F.
• Make the pies: In a medium heatproof bowl, combine the unsweetened chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and butter. Fill a pot (relatively the same size as the bowl) about 1/3 full with water and place it over medium heat. When the water simmers, place the bowl of chocolate and butter over the simmering water and lower the heat. You want to melt the chocolate and butter gently together, stirring and scraping the sides (to avoid scorching).
• In another bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and lemon zest. Set aside.
• Separately, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
• When the chocolate and butter is melted, remove the bowl from the heat; stir to assure it's completely mixed and transfer to another medium bowl. This will accelerate cooling. Allow the chocolate to cool a few minutes. Whisk in the egg mixture. Whisk in the flour mixture. Only whisk until blended, over-mixing can affect the texture of the pies.
• Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray (alternatively, use a piece of fitted parchment sprayed with nonstick spray). Drop the batter in large spoonfuls (keeping the shapes as round as possible) on the baking sheet. You are aiming for rounds that are about 2 inches in diameter. Take care to leave some room (about 2 inches) between each one to allow for spreading that will occur as they bake.
• Place the tray in the hot oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Check the pies. Leave in the oven an additional minute or two if they seem under baked. The dough will lose some of its shiney-ness and no longer look wet but will still feel soft. Remove the tray from the oven and allow them to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes before gingerly lifting them off the baking sheet and onto a flat surface.
• Make the filling: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk to a simmer and add about 3/4 of the cup of the toasted almonds. Reserve the remaining almonds. Shut off the heat and allow the almonds to "steep" in the milk, for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the milk and pour it back into the same pan, discarding the almonds from the milk.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat together the sugar, flour, cornstarch and egg yolks until thick and smooth, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour some of the hot milk mixture over the eggs and whisk to blend. Pour the egg mixture back into the milk; turn on a low to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the almond extract. Continue to cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to make sure it doesn't cling to the bottom of the pan and burn, until very thick. Pour the cream into a clean bowl. Stir in the remaining almonds. Cover tightly with a layer of plastic so the cream doesn't form a skin. Allow to cool.
• Assemble: "Sandwich" some of the cream in between two of the chocolate rounds. Drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired.

ALMOND CRUMBLE TOPPING

Steps:

• Combine flour, sugar and nutmeg in a mixing bowl; stir well to mix and stir in sliced almonds.
• Stir in the butter evenly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then, using your fingertips, break the mixture into 1/4 to 1/2 inch crumbs. Set aside again while you prepare the filling.

ALMOND CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Prepare the Crust:.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Place the sifted flour, salt and butter in a bowl and use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture has an even, granular texture. Add the powdered sugar and blend. Sprinkle with the water, mix gently and gather together to form a ball. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Butter a 20.5 cm (8 in.) tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Roll out the dough to a thickness of .5cm and place it over the pan without stretching. Press well into the bottom and up the sides, then roll the rolling pin firmly over the top to trim the excess. Prick with a fork and bake for 10 minutes.
• Prepare the filling:.
• In a saucepan over medium- low heat, make a roux by melting the butter and stirring in the flour with a wooden spoon. In a separate saucepan, bring the milk, salt and sugar to a boil.
• Add the hot milk to the roux a little at a time, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth. Continue whisking and cooking over low heat for 5 minutes, until thick.
• Remove from heat and add the egg yolks and powdered almonds, whisking briskly. Do not allow the filling to boil after the egg yolks are added, or it will separate.
• Pour the filling into the pre-cooked pie shell. Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned. Cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

CHERRY PIE WITH ALMOND CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Roll out pie crust and lay into a 9-inch pie pan.
• Combine almonds, brown sugar, oats, flour, and salt in a large bowl. Work butter into the almond mixture with your fingers, breaking up any large pieces, until incorporated completely. Cover and chill for 15 minutes.
• Combine cherries, lemon juice, white sugar, and cornstarch. Stir until well coated and no dry lumps remain, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour cherries and any accumulated juices into the prepared pie pan. Press down into the pan. Crumble oat mixture over the top. Place the pan on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cherries are bubbling and the crust and crumble topping are browned, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool completely.