adapted from Highlands Ranch Foodie
Yield: 4 servings
Honeyed Almonds
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 Tbsp honey
Cherry Brown Sugar Fool
1 cup pitted fresh sweet cherries
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp almond extract
1-2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp water
3.4 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 400° F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat (i.e. Silpat.)
In a small bowl, coat nuts with honey. Spread nuts on the baking mat. Bake 5-7 minutes, until golden. Transfer nuts to a bowl to cool. Coarsely chop, and set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine cherries, lemon juice, almond extract, sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cherries begin to break down and juices boil and thicken, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, and transfer to a small bowl. Place bowl in a larger bowl of ice water, and stir mixture occasionally until cold.
In a separate bowl, combine cream, brown sugar, and vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form; fold in 1/3 cup of the cherry sauce. Combine, but not fully - there should be beautiful cherry streaks running through the fresh cream.
Divide among four dessert dishes, and spoon remaining cherries over the top. Garnish with the honey almonds.
NOTE: This dessert is not very sweet. You may wish to taste the cherry mixture and adjust the sugar if you desire a sweeter dessert.