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35 Almond Desserts That Are Equal Parts Nutty, Easy and Decadent

Sure, almonds are a go-to nutritious snack, since they’re loaded with healthy fats and protein. But they also lend themselves beautifully to tons of desserts, whether it be in the form of raw nuts, almond butter, almond flour, almond milk, almond paste or marzipan. Here are 35 almond desserts to try at home that make the most of their nutty flavor.

40 Caramel Desserts That Are Delicious in the Fall (and Every Other Season)


1. Caramel Almond Cake

How can a cake look *this* gorgeous without any fancy finishing touches or frosting, you ask? It’s as simple as topping it with sugared slivered almonds and baking it into a crunchy caramel-like crust.

2. Bite-size Almond Raspberry Spoon Cakes

Chalk their nuttiness up to almond flour and almond extract. Good luck stopping after just three cakes (heck, make it six).

3. Raspberry Glazed Almond Loaf

How gorgeous is that rosy pink glaze on top? All it takes is whisking confectioners’ sugar, raspberry jam and almond milk together until smooth.

4. Baked Pears With Maple Syrup And Almond Crumble

This autumn gem is destined for your Thanksgiving table. Luckily, the recipe only requires 35 minutes and a handful of pantry staples, so it won’t keep you from prepping the rest of your holiday menu.

5. Apricot And Frangipane Cake

Frangipane is a French almond-flavored custard, and it just so happens to pair perfectly with juicy canned apricots and fresh whipped cream.

Because a diet should never stand between you and dessert. Here, almond butter is paired with honey, cocoa nibs and powdered gelatin to create an uncanny cookie dough alternative.

7. Almond Cake

Hailing from Berkeley, California’s beloved Chez Panisse Café, this cake is bound to wow all your dinner party guests. All the cake’s sugar is blitzed with almond paste before being incorporated into the batter.

8. Chocolate Coconut Almond Bars

You’ll never look at the classic store-bought candy the same way again. Not only is there almond extract in the sweet coconut filling, but the bars are also finished with a layer of whole toasted almonds.

9. Poached Apricots And Peaches With Toasted Almonds

The fruit is simmered in a cognac-spiked sugar syrup until it turns soft and tender. Serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, or use it as a filling for a tart or pie.

10. 3-ingredient Paleo Almond Butter Cups

Psst: These poppable delights are no-bake. Simply freeze them between layers until they’re firm.

11. Sarah Copeland’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

We love a hands-off, dump-and-stir cookie dough. This take on the O.G. uses almond flour, which offers the cookies an earthy, nutty je ne sais quoi.

12. Gluten-free Blondies

Almond flour is a popular alternative to the all-purpose variety for gluten-free bakers. But don’t get it twisted: These blondies are just as chewy and decadent as those you’ve had before, thanks to brown butter and chocolate chips.

13. Cherry Almond Buckle

Sweet, buttery and loaded with brown sugar crumbles. Sour cream in the batter also guarantees that it turns out ridiculously moist.

14. Almond Cake With Pear And Polenta

Not only is the confection topped with sliced pears, but there’s also pear puree in the cake batter for extra fruitiness.

15. Raspberry Bars With Almonds

The crust is infused with almond extract, and it just so happens that tart, mouth-puckering raspberry jam is just the match for its buttery, nutty flavor.

16. Cranberry Almond Apple Pie

This cran-apple delight will be even easier to pull off if you use store-bought pie crust. Go the extra mile by using leaf-shaped cookie cutters to make some fall-inspired toppers.

17. Almond Cookies

The nuttiness is strong with this one. Our favorite ingredient makes its way into these handhelds via three ingredients: almond flour, almond extract and sliced almonds.

18. Almond Rhubarb Muffins With Almond Streusel

Just like raspberries, rhubarb’s natural tartness is the ultimate foil for buttery almonds and brown sugar streusel.

19. Lemon Almond Pudding Cake

Never had pudding cake? It’s light and fluffy on top, sort of like soufflé, but rich and creamy on the bottom like pudding.

20. Fudgy Flourless Almond Butter Brownies

Gluten-free? Check. Dairy-free? Check. Decadent, chocolatey and rich? Heck yes.

21. Salted Chocolate Dipped Banana Almond Pops With Malted Coconut Honey

Once you try the malted honey topping made with almond milk, honey, coconut oil and malted milk powder, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything from ice cream to toast.

22. Salted Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee

Yup, we’ll be making a batch for every single person on our Christmas list. We’re betting you have most of the ingredients in your pantry already to boot.

23. Chocolate Almond Puff Pastry Twists

Almond paste and store-bought puff pastry unite for one of the easiest, quickest baked goods of all time.

24. Strawberry Almond Cake

Instead of fussing over from-scratch strawberry jam or filling, all the recipe calls for is folding sliced strawberries into the batter.

25. Cherry-almond Biscotti

Meet your daily coffee’s new best friend. The recipe uses drained maraschino cherries, but feel free to use dried sour cherries or chopped fresh cherries instead.

26. Almond Milk Ice Cream

Dairy-free dessert lovers rejoice. This take on banana “nice cream” is loaded with chopped almonds, almond butter and chocolate chips, but we’re betting toffee chips would make it even tastier.

27. Sweet Potato Pie With Almond Streusel

The autumn staple doesn’t need any improvements to begin with, but the addition of cinnamon- and ginger-spiced streusel certainly wouldn’t hurt.

28. Almond Honey Cake With Strawberry Ripple Cream

This berry-topped beauty has summer dinner party written all over it. The cream is surprisingly tart too, thanks to crème fraîche.

29. Ricciarelli (italian Almond Cookies)

Studded with dried cherries and dusted in powdered sugar, all these cookies are missing is a side of warm espresso.

30. Almond Butter Coconut Macaroons

It doesn’t get simpler than six ingredients and a whirl in the food processor or blender.

31. Keto French Almond Cake

Monk fruit, almond flour and vanilla and almond extracts keep this cake low in carbs and sugar, yet sweet and flavorful.

32. Pumpkin Bread With Almond Streusel

It’s a good morning indeed if it starts with a slice of this autumn treat. Yogurt and pumpkin puree make the bread extra moist and tender.

33. Mixed Berry Almond Croissants

Behold: Your newest secret weapon when it comes to hosting brunch. Feel free to use frozen berries if you’re baking them in the off season.

34. Raspberry Almond Buttermilk Scones

Pro tip: Chilling the cut scones for 15 minutes before baking them will keep them from spreading out too much in the oven.

35. Almond Strawberry Cake With Strawberry Buttercream

Prepare yourself for all the oohs and aahs—your guests will think you ordered this cake from a fancy local bakery.


For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.


taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Contributes to PureWow's food vertical
  • Spearheads PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College