13 Almond Desserts That Taste Like a European Bakery at Home

Walk into any bakery in Italy, France or Sweden, and you will smell almonds. This little nut adds a sweet, toasty flavor that makes cakes and cookies taste special. Also, almond flour keeps bakes moist and tender. So we rounded up our favorite almond desserts, from a simple Italian almond cake to crunchy biscotti and soft Swedish buns. Many of them are easier than you think. Put the kettle on, because these treats are made for coffee time..

Italian Almond Cake

This simple cake is a favorite in Italian homes. It is moist and tender, thanks to almond flour, and the top is covered in toasted sliced almonds. A dusting of powdered sugar makes it look bakery perfect. It is one of the easiest almond desserts to start with, because you just mix and bake. Also, it tastes even better the next day. Coffee or tea with your slice?

You will need: 1/2 cup butter (soft), 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 1 1/2 cups almond flour, 1/2 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup sliced almonds, powdered sugar

How to make it: First, heat the oven to 350F and grease a 9 inch round pan. Then beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, and add the eggs, vanilla and almond extract. Next, stir in the almond flour, flour, baking powder and salt. After that, spread the batter in the pan and scatter the sliced almonds on top. Finally, bake for 30 to 35 minutes, cool and dust with powdered sugar.

French Almond Desserts: Twice Baked Almond Croissants

Almond croissants are a bakery classic in France. Here is the secret: they are made from day old croissants. Bakers slice them, soak them in syrup and fill them with sweet almond cream. Then they bake again until crisp and golden. So you can make them at home with store bought croissants. Have you ever had one fresh from a bakery?

You will need: 6 day old croissants, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar for syrup, 1/2 cup butter (soft), 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup almond flour, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 1 cup sliced almonds, powdered sugar

How to make it: First, simmer the water and sugar for 2 minutes to make syrup. Then beat the butter, sugar, eggs, almond flour and extract into almond cream. Next, slice the croissants, brush them with syrup and fill them with almond cream. After that, spread a little cream on top and press on sliced almonds. Finally, bake at 350F for 15 to 18 minutes and dust with powdered sugar.

Homemade Marzipan Fruits

Marzipan is a sweet almond paste that you can shape like clay. In Europe, little marzipan fruits are a holiday tradition, especially at Christmas. Kids love helping to shape and paint them. Moreover, homemade marzipan needs only a few ingredients. Would you make tiny apples, pears or strawberries?

You will need: 2 cups almond flour (blanched), 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 egg white (or 3 tablespoons corn syrup), 1 teaspoon almond extract, food coloring, cloves for stems

How to make it: First, pulse the almond flour and powdered sugar in a food processor. Then add the egg white and almond extract and pulse until a dough forms. Next, knead it smooth and wrap it for 30 minutes. After that, roll small pieces into fruit shapes. Finally, paint them with food coloring and add cloves as stems.

Swedish Semla Buns

Semla is a soft cardamom bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream. In Sweden, people eat them before Lent, and bakeries sell thousands. The top is cut off, then it becomes a little lid dusted with powdered sugar. It is fluffy, creamy and nutty all at once. Quick poll: (A) cream filled buns, (B) cinnamon rolls, or (C) donuts? Also, if you love this, try our holiday pie bars.

You will need: 8 soft cardamom buns (or brioche buns), 1 cup almond paste or marzipan, 1/2 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, powdered sugar

How to make it: First, cut a lid off the top of each bun. Then scoop out a little of the inside crumb. Next, mix the crumbs with almond paste and milk into a soft filling. After that, spoon it back into the buns. Finally, pipe whipped cream on top, add the lids and dust with powdered sugar.

Italian Almond Desserts: Crunchy Almond Biscotti

Biscotti are twice baked Italian cookies, and they are made for dunking. First, you bake a log of dough, then you slice it and bake it again. As a result, the cookies turn dry and crunchy. Whole almonds give every bite a toasty snap. Also, they keep for weeks in a jar, so they make lovely gifts.

You will need: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 1 cup whole almonds (toasted)

How to make it: First, heat the oven to 350F. Then mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Next, stir in the eggs, vanilla, extract and almonds until a sticky dough forms. After that, shape two logs and bake for 30 minutes, then cool for 10 minutes. Finally, slice them and bake the slices for 10 minutes per side.

Toasted Almond Cream Cake

This tall layer cake is perfect for birthdays and holidays. Soft vanilla almond layers are filled with whipped cream frosting. Then toasted sliced almonds cover the sides for crunch. It looks impressive, but each part is simple. In fact, it is one of the prettiest almond desserts you can make. Who would you bake it for?

You will need: 1 box white cake mix (or homemade), 1 teaspoon almond extract, 2 cups heavy cream, 8 oz mascarpone, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds (toasted)

How to make it: First, bake two cake layers with almond extract added to the batter, and cool them. Then whip the cream, mascarpone and powdered sugar until stiff. Next, stack the layers with frosting in between. After that, frost the top and sides. Finally, press the toasted almonds all around the sides.

Almond Desserts to Gift: Almond Brittle

Brittle is a crunchy candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts. Almonds make it extra toasty and rich. Although candy can sound hard, this one needs no special skills, just a candy thermometer. Then you break it into rough pieces. It makes a great holiday gift in a jar. Are you a brittle fan?

You will need: 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, 1 1/2 cups almonds, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking soda, pinch of salt

How to make it: First, line a baking sheet with parchment. Then cook the sugar, corn syrup and water until it reaches 240F. Next, stir in the almonds and cook until it reaches 300F and turns golden. After that, quickly stir in butter, vanilla, baking soda and salt. Finally, pour it onto the sheet, spread it thin and break it once cool.

French Almond Tart

This tart is filled with frangipane, a rich almond cream. It bakes up golden and puffy, with a crisp layer of sliced almonds on top. Because it is not too sweet, it is great with coffee or tea. Also, you can tuck pears or berries into the filling. Simple, elegant and very French.

You will need: 1 tart crust, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 1/4 cups almond flour, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 1/2 cup sliced almonds, apricot jam

How to make it: First, heat the oven to 350F and press the crust into a tart pan. Then beat the butter and sugar, and add the eggs one at a time. Next, mix in the almond flour, flour, vanilla and extract. After that, spread it in the crust and cover with sliced almonds. Finally, bake for 35 to 40 minutes and brush with warm jam.

Gluten Free Almond Desserts: Chocolate Almond Torte

Chocolate and almonds make a rich, fudgy pair. This flourless torte uses ground almonds instead of flour, so it is naturally gluten free. It is dense and deeply chocolatey, almost like a brownie. Then toasted almonds on top add crunch. Serve a thin slice with whipped cream. Would you call this a cake or a brownie?

You will need: 6 oz dark chocolate, 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 4 eggs, 1 cup almond flour, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, pinch of salt, 1/3 cup sliced almonds

How to make it: First, heat the oven to 350F and line a round pan. Then melt the chocolate and butter together. Next, whisk in the sugar and eggs one at a time. After that, fold in the almond flour, cocoa and salt, and pour it into the pan. Finally, top with almonds and bake for 30 minutes until just set.

Almond Ricotta Cheesecake

Italian style cheesecake is lighter than the classic New York version. It uses ricotta, so the texture is soft and fluffy. Then almond extract and an almond crust give it a lovely nutty flavor. It is not too sweet, which makes it perfect after a big dinner. Plus, it is easy to make a day ahead.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups almond cookie or graham crumbs, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 2 cups whole milk ricotta, 8 oz cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon almond extract, 1 lemon (zest), toasted almonds

How to make it: First, press the crumbs and butter into a springform pan. Then beat the ricotta, cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Next, add the eggs, almond extract and lemon zest. After that, pour it over the crust and bake at 325F for 55 to 60 minutes. Finally, cool, chill overnight and top with toasted almonds.

French Macarons

Did you know French macarons are made with almond flour? These dainty cookies have crisp shells, chewy centers and a creamy filling. They take some practice, but the result is so rewarding. Also, you can color them any shade you like. Quick poll: (A) vanilla, (B) chocolate, (C) raspberry, or (D) pistachio macarons?

You will need: 1 cup almond flour (fine), 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, 3 egg whites (room temperature), 1/4 cup sugar, pinch of cream of tartar, gel food coloring, 1 cup buttercream or ganache for filling

How to make it: First, sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together. Then whip the egg whites with cream of tartar, slowly adding sugar until stiff and glossy. Next, fold in the dry mix and coloring until the batter flows like lava. After that, pipe small circles and let them rest for 30 to 60 minutes. Finally, bake at 300F for 16 minutes, cool and sandwich with filling.

Christmas Almond Desserts: Almond Crescent Cookies

These buttery cookies melt in your mouth. Ground almonds give them a tender, sandy texture. Then you roll them in powdered sugar while they are still warm. In Austria and Germany, they are a must at Christmas. However, they are so easy that you will want them all year. Also, kids love shaping the little moons.

You will need: 1 cup butter (soft), 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups flour, 1 cup almond flour, pinch of salt, extra powdered sugar for rolling

How to make it: First, heat the oven to 350F. Then beat the butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. Next, mix in the flour, almond flour and salt until a soft dough forms. After that, roll small logs and bend them into crescents. Finally, bake for 12 to 14 minutes and roll them in powdered sugar while warm.

Chewy Almond Macaroons

Not to be confused with macarons, these macaroons are chewy little mounds. They are made with almond paste, sugar and egg whites, so they are naturally gluten free. Then sliced almonds on top toast in the oven. They are crisp outside and soft inside. Which do you like more: crunchy cookies or chewy ones?

You will need: 8 oz almond paste, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 2 egg whites, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup sliced almonds

How to make it: First, heat the oven to 325F and line a baking sheet. Then crumble the almond paste with the sugars. Next, beat in the egg whites and salt until smooth and sticky. After that, scoop small mounds and press almonds on top. Finally, bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden at the edges.