27924 Cran-Coconut Amaretti Torte with Whipped Cream and Basil Sparkles 1 1/2 hours 20 minutes 8-12 servings Thu Nov 05 12:54:30 -0800 2009 Fri Nov 06 09:19:36 -0800 2009 Medium Fusion User http://www.chow.com/recipes/27924 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:19:36 GMT A beautiful dessert to serve on a buffet or at a formal dinner party. The slightly unconventional flavors of basil and coconut complement traditional white chocolate, almonds, cranberries, and whipped cream. This one truly sparkles.

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  • 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 inch spring-form pan with cooking spray.
  • 2. In large bowl, cream together the almond paste, butter, sugar, and egg whites until light and fluffy; beat in salt. Stir in 1 cup coconut. Gradually blend in flour.
  • 3. Press dough into bottom and 1 inch up sides of pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until golden; cool completely.
  • 4. Melt the white chocolate chips. Stir in coconut crème, coconut flavor, almonds, and 2 cups cranberries. Spread mixture evenly in crust and top with reserved/remaining cranberries and coconut.
  • 5. Chill until set, at least 30 minutes, before removing sides of pan.
  • 6. Beat together the cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form; cover and chill until ready to serve.*
  • Can store untopped/ungarnished Torte, covered in refrigerator or at cool room temperature.
  • 7. Just before serving, muddle or chop together the basil and coarse sugar. Slice torte into 8 or 12 wedges. Top each with a dollop of the Whipped Cream and sprinkle with Basil Sparkles (the sugar-basil mixture).
    • ]]>     http://www.chow.com lmlyon 54 Sweet/Dessert Non-stick cooking spray

    ]]>     8 oz. almond paste

    ]]>     1 cup butter, room temperature

    ]]>     2/3 cup sugar

    ]]>     2 egg whites, lightly beaten

    ]]>     1/4 teaspoon salt

    ]]>     1 1/2 cups sweetened flake coconut, divided

    ]]>     1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

    ]]>     12 oz. white chocolate chips, divided

    ]]>     16 oz. sweetened coconut creme

    ]]>     1 tsp. coconut extract/flavor

    ]]>     2 cups sliced almonds

    ]]>     2 1/2 cups Ocean Spray Craisins sweetened dried cranberries, divided

    ]]>     1 1/2 cups heavy cream

    ]]>     1/2 cup powdered sugar

    ]]>     1/3 cup very finely chopped fresh basil

    ]]>     1/2 cup coarse sugar (decorators sugar)

    ]]>     32614 white chocolate holidays dessert basil coconut almonds cranberries amaretti