ALMOND CUSTARD RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• For frosting, in a small saucepan, heat chocolate chips, cream and butter over medium-low heat, stirring until blended. Transfer to a large bowl; gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a covered container; refrigerate until cold or overnight., For cake, place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper., In a large bowl, cream shortening and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extracts. In another bowl, whisk cake flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., With clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold into batter., Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For custard, in a small heavy saucepan, mix sugar, all-purpose flour and salt. Whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in extracts and almonds. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate until cold., To assemble cake, in a large bowl, beat cold frosting until fluffy and spreadable. Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; fill bag with 1/3 cup frosting., Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Pipe a border of frosting along edge of cake. Fill center with custard. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting. If desired, decorate with cookies and pipe with green frosting. Refrigerate until serving.

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, combine the butter with the turbinado and granulated sugars, the almonds and the egg and beat at medium-low speed until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder and orange zest and beat just until a soft dough forms. Scrape the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the dough and flatten it into a disk. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer with the lemon zest. In a medium, heatproof bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and flour. Gradually whisk in the hot milk. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until very thick, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream and almond extract (if lumps form, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth). Pour the custard into a bowl, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the tart dough out to a 13-inch round, 1/4 inch thick. Gently ease the dough into a 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim any excess dough and patch any holes.
• Spread the custard in the shell in an even layer. Bake the tart for about 1 hour, until the pastry is golden and the custard is lightly puffed. Transfer to a rack and let cool to room temperature. Unmold the tart and cut into wedges. Spoon the cherry preserves on top and serve.