Italian Rainbow Cookies
My family has made these classic almond-flavored Italian rainbow cookies for generations, and this homemade version is so much better than the bakery version. They are always a special treat during the holidays or any time of year! —Cindy Casazza, Hopewell, New Jersey

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Almond Pillow CookiesFamily and friends can’t resist buttery cookies with a soft almond center. The confectioners’ sugar on top looks like a dusting of snow. —Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois

Homemade Irish CreamAdd some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash or two of this homemade Irish cream. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota

Apricot, Almond & Pineapple Sour Cream Coffee CakeI created this pineapple sour cream coffee cake recipe for a contest at the Los Angeles County Fair in the 1980s. My kids were very proud of me when my name was called for first place. The cake would be the perfect partner for morning coffee or it’d be a delightful dessert with a scoop of ice cream. —Marina Castle-Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Macaroon BarsGuests will never recognize the refrigerated crescent roll dough that goes into these almond-flavored bars. You can assemble the chewy coconut treats in no time. —Carolyn Kyzer, Alexander, Arkansas

Bing Cherry-Amaretti FoolWhen Bing cherries are in season, I make this fruity custard-style fool. The sweet cherries and whipped cream balance perfectly with the sour cream. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York

Creamy Lemon Almond PastriesI love lemon filled doughnuts when I can find them. This recipe brings the concept to a new level by placing the filling into a baked beignet and enhancing it with a bit of almond flavoring and toasted almonds. The result? Sunshine in a bite. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Cranberry Orange Almond Quick BreadYou can customize this bread to your family’s specific tastes. Try dried apricots and pecans, or dried blueberries and hazelnuts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Almond Raspberry StarsThe first Christmas that I baked these, I ended up quickly making a second batch! The whole family enjoyed them. —Darlene Weaver, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Delicious Almond BraidsSimilar to an almond crescent, this coffee cake is light and flaky with a rich almond center. It’s versatile, so you can serve it for dessert, breakfast or brunch. It tastes as if it came from a high-end bakery, but packaged puff pastry dough makes it easy. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York

Cranberry-Almond Pound CakeWhen you want an extra-special dessert for the holidays, it’s hard to beat a seasonal homemade cake. I like to drizzle mine with a simple but elegant glaze flavored with amaretto. —Jackie Howell, Tucson, Arizona

Chewy Almond CookiesMy children and grandchildren adore these old-fashioned cookies, and they make a good unfrosted choice for a holiday cookie plate. But they’re wonderful year-round, too—I even keep unbaked dough in my freezer so I can whip up a batch whenever my family comes for a visit. —Betty Speth, Vincennes, Indiana

Almond BlondiesThese make a nice change from the typical chocolate brownie. When I bake up a batch, they disappear quickly at my house. —Cindy Pruitt, Grove, Oklahoma

Almond & Cranberry Coconut BreadHere’s an all-around great bread for any season. The red bursts of cranberry lend every slice extra appeal for Christmastime. —Rosemary Johnson, Irondale, Alabama

Almond Cherry FudgeCooked in the microwave, this fast fudge is a sweet addition to any holiday gathering. I make it when I need a quick treat for a school party or to take to a neighbor. —Shellie Tucker, Hendersonvlle, Tennessee

Almond Spritz CookiesThis almond spritz cookies recipe can be left plain or decorated with colored sugar and frosting. In our house, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without some cookie press recipes.—Tanya Hart, Muncie, Indiana

Luscious Almond CheesecakeI received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas

Almond Tea CakesWhen I have time—usually in the winter—I love to bake. I make these tea cakes every Christmas, double the recipe and freeze half for later. —Janet Fennema Ringelberg, Troy, Ontario

Hot Almond N Cream DrinkJust a few sips of this drink, with its rich almond flavor, will warm you up in a hurry. I’m the food service manager for a Christian camp and it’s a favorite each year at our Christmas party. —Kaye Kirsch, Bailey, Colorado

Cherry Almond Mousse PieTreat your loved ones to a luscious pie with chocolate, cherries and nuts in a creamy vanilla mousse. It’s a sweet yet refreshing dessert. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas

Apple Betty with Almond CreamI love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois

Chocolate Almond CakeFluffy white homemade frosting tops this rich chocolate almond cake. Sliced toasted almonds on top add a little crunch. —Sherri Gentry, Dallas, Oregon

Lemon Tart with Almond CrustOur state produces an abundance of lemons, and everyone is always looking for new ways to use them. This beautiful tart is my delicious solution to the excess-lemon problem! —Lois Kinneberg, Phoenix, Arizona

Holiday Almond BarsThis fast, delicious dessert always makes an appearance during our Christmas celebrations.—Cheryl Newendorp, Pella, Iowa

Cranberry Cake with Almond-Butter SauceMake room for this recipe in your collection. Tart cranberries and sweet almond glaze turn this potluck cake into something truly special. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

Almond Streusel RollsTry my prizewinning pastry! These rolls are so popular that they often don’t even cool completely before the pan is empty. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington

Vanilla Almond Hot CocoaTreat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

Raspberry-Almond Jelly RollWith a whipped cream, almond and raspberry filling, the lovely swirled slices taste as good as they look. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Cherry-Almond Streusel TartBrimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It’s elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario

Cherry Almond SnowdropsAs soon as I was old enough, I helped make these distinctive almond cookies. You can freeze the dough, so they’re perfect for the busy holidays. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Cherry-Almond Coffee CakeEvery Christmas morning, I bake a coffee cake that’s rich and creamy like a cheesecake. My family loves cherries on top, but make it yours with any kind of fruit preserves. —Sue Torn, Germantown, WI

Mango Almond Icebox CakeThis recipe was inspired by my friend who asked me to make a mango cake. It’s easy to prepare, refreshing, light, and tastes absolutely fantastic. Strawberries can be used as well. —Rachel Simoneau, Danbury, Connecticut

Swedish Almond RusksNot too sweet, these nutty, crunchy cookies go well with a cup of hot coffee…and travel well in care packages, too!

Almond Espresso BarsIf you like coffee, you’ll love these mocha morsels dressed up with toasted almonds. Save a few bars for afternoon snacktime or even breakfast, too. —Taire Van Scoy, Brunswick, Maryland