Almond Petits Fours

Name: Almond Petits Fours
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 can (8 ounces) almond paste; 3/4 cup butter, softened; 3/4 cup sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 cup cake flour; 1/4 cup seedless raspberry spreadable fruit; GLAZE:; 4-1/2 cups sugar; 2-1/4 cups water; 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar; 1-1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 6 cups confectioners' sugar; Assorted food coloring

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1-1/2 hours Bake: 15 min. + cooling YIELD: 2-1/2 dozen.

Dainty, bite-sized cakes are often the highlight of a ladies' luncheon. Our home economists share their mouthwatering version here.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1 can (8 ounces) almond paste
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup cake flour
1/4 cup seedless raspberry spreadable fruit
GLAZE:
4-1/2 cups sugar
2-1/4 cups water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1-1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
6 cups confectioners' sugar
Assorted food coloring

Directions

1. Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment; coat the paper with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the almond paste, butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
3. Bake at 325° for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Cut cake in half widthwise. Spread jam over 1 half; top with remaining half. Cut into assorted 1-1/2-in. shapes.
5. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water and cream of tartar. Cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 226°. Remove from the heat; cool at room temperature to 100°. Stir in extracts. Using a portable mixer, beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Tint glaze with food coloring.
6. Gently dip petits fours, 1 at a time, into warm glaze. Remove with a fork; allow excess glaze to drip off. (If glaze becomes too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon hot water at a time to thin.) Place petits fours on wire racks over waxed paper; let dry completely.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 336 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 56mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (59g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.