Cinnamon Sugar Mandel Bread (Almond Biscotti)

In celebration of Jewish New Year this month, I went back to the basics to make traditional cinnamon sugar mandel bread (aka mandelbrot).  Every year, I would eagerly wait for my cousin in Chicago to send them to us in the mail, reserving a whole bag just for myself! A few years later, I tried baking these cookies myself, and I realized how similar they are to an Italian biscotti in flavor, texture, and recipe. So, if you liked my previous Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti or Double Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti posts, this is the recipe for you!

Almond Joy Baked Oatmeal

It seems like it’s been a while since I’ve posted because I just got back from a summer program at Yale!  Now that I’m back home and ready to celebrate the final month of summer, you can expect a bunch of dessert recipes coming your way this upcoming August! Most of my stay in New Haven was characterized by innumerable frozen yogurt runs to escape sweltering heat, humidity, and  non air-conditioned dorm rooms, but now I can also say that I definitely understand the “Freshman 15”…huge buffets for every meal make cookies, pasta, and vanilla almond granola just an extra scoop away. But now that I’m back (with some added pre-college padding) you might be noticing some more healthy dessert and breakfast recipe postings, but don’t worry, I won’t hold back on my usual indulgent, Paula Deen style recipes!

Almond Peach Butter Cake

Butter, almonds, more butter, and peaches…This cake is DE-licious! As a thank you to my school’s new college counselor, who met with me during her first week on the job (and during the summer), I made her this fantastic French financier-like almond cake. I’m sure it was appreciated much more  than a thank you card! With it’s impeccable almond flavor,this cake is moist, light, and perfectly sweet for  summer. But here’s more: I used the peaches sitting in my kitchen to add a classic southern twist! ***(See below) (I’ve always loved the look of upside down cakes where the fruit is a beautiful ring of topping; it’s a gorgeous decoration!) This cake is really the best of both worlds; it’s a classic vanilla almond cake plus some southern country flair! All you need is a huge scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a giant spoon to enjoy!

Recipe:  Moist Almond Cake

***NOTE: This cake can be made in various ways; the original recipe is a delicious almond cake that I just sprinkled almond slices on before baking. If you want to add peaches (or any other fruit), place the fruit slices on top of the cake before baking. (The peaches will sink to the bottom while baking, and you will see them when you flip the cake after cooled.)