Cherry Almond Braid Food

DELICIOUS ALMOND BRAIDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Place the almond paste, butter and sugar in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add egg and flour; process until smooth., Place puff pastry sheets onto a greased baking sheet. Spread half of the filling mixture down the center third of 1 pastry sheet. On each side, cut 8 strips about 3-1/2 in. into the center. Starting at 1 end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling., Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely., Combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and almond extract. Drizzle over braids; sprinkle with almonds. Cut into slices to serve.

DRIED CHERRY ALMOND BREAD

Steps:

• FOR THE BREAD ~ In a medium bowl, pour boiling water over dried cherries & let stand 20 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F, then spray a 9"x5" loaf pan with with a baking-spray-with-flour.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar & softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.
• Beat in eggs & the 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, then carefully stir in the flour, baking powder & salt just until dry ingredients are moistened.
• Stir in almonds & cherries, then pour into prepared loaf pan.
• Bake 70 to 80 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean & top is dark golden brown.
• Cool 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack, then loosen the sides of the loaf from the pan & remove the bread, placing it top side up on a wire rack. Let it cool completely, about 1 hour.
• FOR THE GLAZE ~ In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth, then drizzle over cooled bread.
• Wrap tightly & store at room temperature.
• When ready to serve, cut loaf into 12 slices & then cut each of those slices in half.