ITALIAN ALMOND CAKE RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter and lightly flour an 8-inch round cake pan (or use vegetable spray).
• In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, cake flour, and baking flour, whisking well to mix; set aside.
• In an electric mixer and using a paddle beater, beat together the softened butter and almond paste on high speed until very smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the confectioners' sugar, mixing until well combined and the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Increase the speed to high, then add the vanilla, whole eggs, and the egg yolks one at a time; mix until incorporated well.
• Reduce the speed to medium then add the sour cream and the cornmeal mixture, and mix until just blended (don't overmix- only mix for a couple of minutes, tops).
• Pour the cake batter into the greased pan and smooth the top with the back of a large spoon or a spatula.
• Bake at 350 degrees F in the lower third of the oven for 35 minutes, or until the color of the cake is golden and the batter pulls away from the side of the pan.
• Remove from oven, place pan on wire rack, and let cool.
• Turn the cake out from the pan, place on serving platter or dish, and dust with confectioners' sugar.
• Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 10-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment or wax paper and grease the paper. Evenly coat the bottom and side with matzoh meal, tapping out any excess.
• In a food processor, pulse the almonds with 2 tablespoons of matzoh meal and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until very finely ground. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with the brown sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar at high speed until very light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. At low speed, gradually add the ground almonds, vanilla and almond extracts and the lemon zest.
• In a medium bowl, using clean beaters, whip the egg whites with the salt until stiff peaks form. Beat one-fourth of the whites into the yolk mixture to lighten it, then quickly fold in the remaining whites. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
• Bake the cake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Run a small, sharp knife around the side of the cake, transfer it to a rack and let cool completely in the pan. Remove the side of the pan and invert the cake onto a serving plate. Remove the base of the pan, then carefully peel off the paper. Sift confectioners' sugar over the cake before serving.