For other uses, see Blancmange . Blancmange, ( or , also known as shape), is a sweet dessert commonly made with milk or cream and sugar thickened with gelatin, cornstarch or irish mosshttp://www.bartleby.com/87/r1233.html, and often flavored with almonds. It is usually set in a mould and served cold. Although traditionally white, blancmanges are frequently given a pink color as well. Some similar desserts are bavarian cream, malabi, flan and haupia. The historical blancmange originated some time in the Middle Ages and usually consisted of chicken, milk or almond milk, rice and sugar and was considered to be an ideal food for the sick. History The true origin of the blancmange is obscure, but it is believed that it was a result of the Arab introduction of rice and almonds in early medieval Europe. However, there is no evidence of the existence of any similar Arab dishes from th