Chocolate Almond Sandwich Food

CHOCOLATE ALMOND TREATS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 inch, square baking pan with heavy-duty foil, folding the foil over the edges of the pan.
• Put butter in pan and melt in oven. Add brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla; stir to mix.
• Add cereal and stir with a spoon, then mix with fingers until thoroughly coated. Place waxed paper on top and press down gently but firmly.
• Bake for 25 minutes until entire surface is bubbly. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and let stand for chips to soften.
• Spread chips, then sprinkle with almonds, pressing gently into chocolate. Let cool until just warm, then refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight before cutting.
• Using foil as a lifter, remove from pan and, without inverting (almond would peel off), peel off foil. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

ALMOND AND CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• In a food processor, process the almonds with 3 Tbl sugar until the almonds are finely ground.
• Set aside.
• Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.
• In a mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and remaining 3/4 cup of sugar until mixture is light in color and texture- at least 3 minutes.
• Beat in the egg and almond extract, then the almond mixture.
• On low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture just until smooth.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate until dough is thoroughly chilled- at least 2 hours or up to 5 days.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line sheet pan with parchment.
• Using a teaspoon, portion the dough into 80 pieces.
• Roll pieces into balls between the palms of your hands.
• Place the balls about 1 1/2 inches apart on the sheetpans. Do not crowd.
• Bake until cookies are lightly browned all over- about 10-12 minutes.
• Cool on sheet pan for 3 minutes, then transfer cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.
• Melt chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water.
• Using a small icing spatula, spread about 1/2 teaspoon on the underside of a cookie, the sandwich with another cookie.
• Refrigerate briefly to set chocolate.

ALMOND SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in flour and almond extract until well blended.
• Shape dough into 180 (1/2-inch) balls. Place balls 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Press bottom of glass dipped into granulated sugar on each ball until 1/4 inch thick; prick top of each with a fork.
• Bake 6 to 8 minutes until set but not brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until smooth and creamy. Spread about 1 teaspoon filling on bottoms of half of the cookies. Top each with another cookie, bottom side down; press gently. Store in refrigerator.