Cherry Almond Skillet Cake Food

CHERRY ALMOND SKILLET SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray, then line the skillet with a parchment circle. Spray the parchment with more cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir the granulated sugar into the melted butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Sift the flour and salt onto the batter. Add the almond extract, dried cherries and orange zest and stir well.
• Pour the batter into the skillet. Top with the sliced almonds and the turbinado sugar.
• Bake until slightly brown on top, about 35 minutes.
• Cool the shortbread in the skillet. When cool, cut into wedges.

CHERRY-ALMOND UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• To make topping: Preheat oven to 350°F Coat a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray. Toss cherries with sugar, kirsch (or brandy) and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Spoon into the prepared pan, arranging the cherries in a single layer; set aside.
• To make cake: Combine flour, almonds, baking powder and salt in a food processor or blender; process until the almonds are ground to a fine meal.
• Beat egg whites in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/3 cup sugar, continuing until stiff and glossy. Beat whole eggs and the remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a separate mixing bowl with an electric mixer until thickened and pale, about 5 minutes. Blend in vanilla.
• Whisk one-quarter of the beaten egg whites into the whole-egg mixture. Sprinkle half of the flour mixture over the top and fold with a rubber spatula until just blended. Fold in the remaining beaten whites, then the remaining flour mixture.
• Spread the batter over the cherries in the prepared pan and bake until the top springs back when touched lightly and a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert onto a cake plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

WARM ALMOND-CHERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate (4-cup capacity); set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in almond extract. With mixer on low, blend in flour mixture (do not overmix).
• Transfer batter to prepared pie plate; scatter cherries and almonds on top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

SKILLET ALMOND SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, stir 1 1/2 cups of the sugar into the melted butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Sift the flour and salt onto the batter. Add the flavoring and stir well. Pour the batter into the skillet. Top with sliced almonds and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until slightly brown on top, about 35 minutes. Cool the shortbread in the skillet. When cool, use the foil to lift the shortbread from the skillet; remove the foil before serving.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY SKILLET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Lightly spray an oven proof skillet.
• Seperate eggs over med mixing bowl, set egg yolks aside for another use.
• Lightly whisk egg whites.
• Add pie filling water and almond extract, mix well.
• Add cake mix, mix until well blended.
• Pour batter over bottom of skillet, spreading evenly.
• Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
• Remove cake from oven to rack to cool 10 minutes.
• Loosen edges of cake with flat sided knife.
• Invert cake onto large heat proof serving platter.
• Stir ice cream topping till smooth, may warm in microwave a bit to soften.Carefully spread evenly over top of cake.
• Cut into wedges, serve warm with frozen yogurt or thawed Light Cool Whip if desired.

CHERRY ALMOND TEA CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffins tins. Place mini-muffin paper liner inside each cup.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. When it begins to sputter, reduce heat. Cook until butter has lightly browned. Skim foam from top and remove skillet from heat.
• Whisk together flour, ground almonds, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add egg whites and whisk until smooth. Stir in flavoring. Pour in butter, leaving any dark brown sediment in skillet and whisk to combine. Let stand for 20 minutes.
• Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup, filling about halfway. Push a cherry in each, keeping stem up. With a small spoon, smooth batter over cherries to cover. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and cakes are golden brown, 12-15 minutes.
• Let cool 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges to loosen, and unmold. Cakes can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature overnight.
• Makes 2 dozen.