Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds, usually blanched and peeled for a pale, delicate flour. It has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor and gives baked goods a moist, tender texture. Used worldwide in recipes such as French macarons, cakes, cookies, and Middle Eastern pastries, it is also popular in gluten-free cooking. Ground almonds have a long history in European and Middle Eastern sweets, where they have been prized for their richness and flavor.