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November 7th is National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day (National Almond Day is February 16th, National Chocolate Day is October 28th, National Milk Chocolate Day is July 28, National White Chocolate Day is September 22…and National Chocolate With Almonds Day is July 8th [hold the bittersweet]).
Most celebrants would run out for a dark chocolate bar with almonds. But think outside the wrapper; here are other ideas:
CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE & ALMONDS
Chocolate bundt cake with chopped almonds.
Layer cake with chocolate frosting and almonds on the sides and/or top.
Flourless chocolate cake made with almond flour or finely-ground almonds.
Torte with an almond ganache filling.
CANDY WITH CHOCOLATE & ALMONDS
Chocolate almond bark. Add pumpkin seeds for the season.
Chocolate almond clusters. Add some dried cherries or cranberries.
Chocolate almond fudge. You can add almonds to chocolate fudge or make a chocolate-peanut butter fudge recipe with almond butter.
Chocolate-covered almonds.
COOKIES WITH CHOCOLATE & ALMONDS
Brownies with almonds.
Chocolate chip cookies with almonds instead of pecans or walnuts.
Chocolate macarons (French macarons are made with almond flour).
Chocolate cookies with chopped almonds, or with a whole almond pressed into the top when the cookies come out of the oven.
Meringues with mini-chocolate chips and finely chopped almonds (use this recipe as a guide).
DRINKS WITH CHOCOLATE & ALMONDS
Chocolate almond cocktail (recipe below).
Chocolate almond milk (Almond Breeze, Pacific, Silk, etc.).
Hot chocolate, chocolate shake, smoothie, etc. made with almond milk.
PIES & TARTS WITH CHOCOLATE & ALMONDS
Chocolate cream pie or chocolate silk pie garnished with almonds.
Chocolate tart with almond crust (substitute almonds for the pumpkin seeds in this recipe).
PUDDINGS & ICE CREAM WITH CHOCOLATE & ALMONDS
Chocolate bread pudding with whipped cream and almonds.
Chocolate almond mousse.
Hot fudge sundae garnished with almonds.
THERE’S A FOOD HOLIDAY EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR
The original concept, assembled by THE NIBBLE in 2005, has been widely copied.
Check out all the American food holidays.
COCKTAIL RECIPE: CHOCOLATE ALMOND DELIGHT
We serve this cocktail for dessert. Nothing extra is needed, but a few Amaretti di Saronno are a welcome addition.
Ingredients Per Drink
1/2 ounce amaretto almond liqueur
1/2 ounce chocolate vodka
1/2 ounce Bailey’s or other Irish cream liqueur
1/2 ounce white creme de cacao
1/2 ounce Godiva or other chocolate liqueur (including regular creme de cacao)
2 ounces half-and-half or cream
Ice
Optional rim: finely crushed Amaretti di Saronno, other almond cookies or chocolate cookies
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[1] A chocolate bar with almonds (photo © Royce USA).
[2] Here’s the recipe from Giada De Laurentiis (photo © Delish).
[3] French macarons are made with almond flour; thus, chocolate and almond (here’s the recipe from FoodToLove.com.au).
[4] A chocolate cocktail with an almond cookie rim (photo © Musings Of A Housewife).
[5] Amaretti cookies are made from almond flour (photo © HiLine Coffee Co.).
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