This recipe makes for a dessert that can be elegant and yet fun. It is rich, but light enough to follow a heavy meal.

Recipe I

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup slivered almonds
• 1/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 9 ounces whipped topping
• 12 whole maraschino cherries
• 12 baking cups (cupcake papers)

Directions

1. Gently fold the almonds, chopped maraschino cherries, and almond extract into the whipped topping.
2. Place the baking cups into cupcake pans.
3. Spoon the mixture equally into the baking cups. Top each cup with a whole maraschino cherry.
4. Freeze until firm (about 2 hours).

Recipe II

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 9 ounces sugar free whipped topping
• 12 whole maraschino cherries
• 12 baking cups (cupcake papers)

Directions

1. Place the dried cherries in a shallow bowl and pour in the warm water. Allow the cherries to sit in the water for 20 minutes.
2. Drain the cherries well.
3. Gently fold the almonds, chopped cherries, and almond extract into the sugar free whipped topping.
4. Place the baking cups into cupcake pans.
5. Spoon the mixture equally into the baking cups. Top each cup with a whole maraschino cherry.
6. Freeze until firm (about 2 hours).

Note: For an interesting variation you can get chocolate cups and place the whipped topping mixture in the cups.
Tortoni [tohr-TOH-nee]
is a rich frozen dessert that traditionally consists of sweetened whipped cream flavored with spirits such as Amaretto or sherry and combined with almonds or macaroon crumbs. This dessert is often called "biscuit tortoni," especially when served in small paper cups.