Almond Cherry Pizza Food

HOMEMADE CHERRY DESSERT PIZZA

Steps:

• Place the milk and butter in a small pot and heat just until butter is melted. Alternatively, you can use the microwave for about 40 seconds.
• Place the warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer and add the sugar, yeast, salt and flour.
• With a dough hook attached, turn on the mixer and mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball.
• Turn it onto a floured surface and knead 3-4 times, just enough to smooth it out. Return to the bowl, cover and let rest 30 minutes. While the dough is resting you can make the streusel.
• In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon and butter, then work the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers until it resembles crumbs. Stir in the sliced almonds.
• Preheat oven to 400F degrees. When the dough has finished resting, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a 12-inch circle.
• Spray a baking sheet or pizza pan with non-stick spray. If you are using a seasoned pizza stone you can skip this step.
• Move the dough to the pizza pan and spread the cherry pie filling over the dough leaving about 1-inch around the edge.
• Brush the bare edge with the beaten egg, then sprinkle the streusel over the top of the pizza.
• Place on center rack of the oven and bake 25-30 minutes until edge of dough is golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding icing.
• Mix the powdered sugar and cream in a small bowl until smooth.
• Drizzle icing on top of the cooled pizza, cut into slices and serve.

ALMOND CHERRY PEPITA BARS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square glass baking dish with cooking spray. Line the bottom with a piece of parchment or waxed paper leaving a 4-inch overhang on two opposite sides and spray the paper with cooking spray.
• Put 1 cup of the rice cereal in a resealable plastic bag and crush to a fine powder with the back of the measuring cup. Combine the remaining 1 cup rice cereal, pepitas, almonds and cherries in a large bowl. Heat the rice syrup and almond butter in a small saucepan until warm and bubbling and remove from heat. Stir in the almond extract and salt, and pour into the nut mixture. Fold with a spatula until it is everything is moistened and well combined. Add the crushed rice cereal and continue to fold until evenly incorporated.
• Press the mixture very firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using the overhanging pieces of parchment to prevent sticking. Bake until beginning to brown, about 25 minutes. Cool 15 minutes on a wire rack, then press again to compact the mixture. Chill until firm but not completely set , about 45 minutes. Remove the block by the paper handles and invert onto a cutting board. Gently peel off the paper. Cut the block in half, then cut each half into 6 bars for 12 total. Refrigerate until fully set.
• Store the bars individually wrapped or layered between sheets of parchment or waxed paper in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The bars will soften up and become chewy as they come to room temperature.

CHERRY CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and baking powder; cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. , Roll out into a 14-in. circle. Place on an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Flute edges to form a rim; prick bottom of crust. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in nuts. Spread over crust. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool. Drain cherries, reserving 1/3 cup juice. Set cherries and juice aside. , In a large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in reserved juice until smooth. Add cherries. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer , Remove from the heat; stir in butter, extract and food coloring. Cool to room temperature; spread over cream cheese layer. Top with whipped cream and mint if desired.

ALMOND CHERRY PIZZA

Steps:

• Place the crust on an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Crumble almond paste into a small microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave on high for 5 seconds to soften if necessary. Stir in cheese until combined; spread over crust to within 1 in. of edges. Sprinkle with chips. , Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand until cheese mixture is set. Spread with cherry filling; top with maraschino cherries and almonds.

CHERRY-ALMOND PIE

Steps:

• Combine flour and sugar for crust in a bowl. Cut in butter using hands to mix and mush until thoroughly combined and mixture resembles tiny pebbles or cornmeal. Stir in almonds. Sprinkle with ice water until dough holds together in a ball. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Toss cherries, sugar, and salt for filling together in a bowl.
• Combine almond extract, amaretto, and cornstarch in a separate bowl until smooth; add to cherry mixture and mix well.
• Roll out refrigerated crust dough using a lightly floured rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface to desired thickness. Press into the bottom of an 8-inch pie pan.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until set, about 15 minutes.
• Remove crust from the oven and fill with cherry mixture. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bake pie in the hot oven until edges of dough are golden and filling is bubbly, 35 to 45 minutes.