Almond Cake

The almond cake is a classic dessert, enriched by the sweetness and unique flavor of this dried fruit. Let’s see right away how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 200 g peeled almonds (or already ground)
• 200 g granulated sugar
• 100 g softened butter
• 3 eggs
• 100 g all-purpose flour
• 1 packet baking powder
• The grated zest of 1 lemon (organic if possible)
• Powdered sugar (for decoration)
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
2. If you have whole almonds, grind them finely using a mixer or food processor.
3. Beat the softened butter with the sugar in a bowl until you get a foamy mixture.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, continuing to whisk until they are completely incorporated into the mixture.
5. Add the flour previously sifted with the baking powder, the pinch of salt, the ground almonds and the grated lemon zest.
6. Mix gently until you obtain a homogeneous batter.
7. Pour the batter into a cake pan previously buttered and floured (or lined with parchment paper).
8. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until the toothpick test passes (it should come out clean if inserted in the center of the cake).
9. Let the cake cool in its mold before unmolding.
10. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Curiosities

The almond cake is a dessert much appreciated in Italy and is often made with local variants as well. For example, in Sicily it is enriched with candied orange or pistachios, while in Sardinia you might find the addition of honey. In some versions, for a moister and richer cake, you can add a liqueur such as limoncello or Amaretto di Saronno.

And to accompany this delicacy, a nice glass of Vin Santo or Passito di Pantelleria would be ideal. Enjoy your meal!