Chocolate Almond Flower Food

ALMOND FLOUR CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Evenly position 2 racks in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Whisk the almond flour, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl. Beat the butter and brown sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, beating after each addition to incorporate, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture and beat until just incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Scoop 12 heaping tablespoons of dough onto each prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Roll each into a ball with slightly wet hands, then sprinkle the top of each ball with some sea salt. Bake until the cookies are golden but still soft in the center, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream and extracts; mix well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. , Pour into a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50-55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. , For frosting, cream butter, sugar and extracts in a small bowl until smooth. Add milk until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Spread over cake. Decorate with almonds.

ALMOND CHOCOLATE CAKE (NO FLOUR)

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a small mixing bowl, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes-save yolks for step 6.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine almonds and 2 tablespoons of sugar; using a food processor put small amounts of this mixture into processor, cover and process until ground--you want this to be fine textured.
• Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in the chocolate, espresso, cocoa, orange juice, espresso granules, vanilla, and reserved almond mixture.
• Beat reserved egg whites on high until stiff peaks form.
• Fold egg whites into the batter.
• Pour into a greased 9 inch spring form pan.
• Place pan on a baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 42 to 48 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
• Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool completely.
• Garnish with confectioners' sugar, chocolate curls, and coffee beans if desired.