Toasted Almond Frosting Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans).Place Reynolds Baking Cups in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In shallow pan, toast almonds 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup almonds for garnish. In food processor, grind remaining almonds until finely ground.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, whole eggs and almond extract with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Fold in ground almonds. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
• Bake and cool as directed on box for cupcakes.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; boil and stir 2 minutes. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling. Remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm, about 30 minutes.
• Gradually stir powdered sugar into brown sugar mixture. Place saucepan of frosting in bowl of cold water. Beat with spoon until smooth and spreadable. If frosting becomes too stiff, stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time. Frost a few cupcakes at a time with 1 tablespoon frosting each; press reserved almonds lightly into frosting. Store loosely covered.

Steps:

• Combine egg whites, sugar, water, almond extract, and corn syrup in bowl of standing mixer or large heatproof bowl and set over medium saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water (do not let bottom of bowl touch water).
• Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture registers 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove bowl from heat and transfer mixture to standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment.
• Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Increase speed to medium-high and continue to beat until mixture has cooled to room temperature and stiff peaks form, 5 minutes longer.
• Remove bowl from mixer and use rubber spatula to gently fold in almonds.

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:

• Pour over ice, mix well,& enjoy!