Buttered Almond Cake Food

M. CUNNINGHAM'S ALMOND BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring regularly.
• Pour the melted butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar into a large bowl and stir until smooth.
• Crack the eggs right into the same bowl and mix until the batter is creamy and all one color.
• Add the salt, almond extract, vanilla extract, and flour and stir briskly until the batter is smooth.
• Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
• Using a rubber spatula, scrape the batter from the bowl into the greased cake pan.
• Spread it evenly in the pan.
• Sprinkle the tablespoon of sugar, then the sliced almonds, over the top of the batter.
• Put the pan on the middle rack of the oven and set the timer for 35 minutes.
• When it rings, check to see if the cake is done.
• It should be light brown on top, and when you insert a toothpick in the center, it should have a few sticky crumbs adhering to it.
• If the cake is not browned enough and the toothpick comes out too wet, put the cake back in the oven and check it again in another 10 minutes.
• When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a heatproof counter for at least 30 minutes.
• Cut the cake into small wedges and serve with fresh fruit.
• This cake will stay fresh for about a week and will freeze indefinitely.
• Wrap it tightly in foil, or in a plastic bag you can seal with a zip or tie.
• Storing nuts: Whenever you have leftover nuts, freeze them in a plastic bag closed tightly.
• They will keep indefinitely in the freezer.

BUTTER ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Blend 1 1/2 cups sugar and melted butter.
• Beat in eggs.
• Stir in almond and vanilla extracts.
• Add salt and flour and mix well.
• Spread batter evenly in a greased-and-floured, 9-inch round pan.
• Sprinkle with toasted almonds and sugar for garnish.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.
• (Toast almonds ahead or in oven while it is preheating.).

ALMOND BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Combine eggs, extract and 1/4 of the sour cream in a small bowl.
• Cut butter into chunks.
• Put remaining sour cream in another small bowl.
• allow all ingredients to come to room temperature while you prepare a 9" springform pan, line bottom with parchment, grease and flour.
• You can use a 9x2" round pan as well, but it will be a bit more difficult to unmold the cake.
• Toast almonds in a 350 degree F oven for 7-8 minutes, cool then grind fine, (I use a bag and rolling pin)-- if using dry measuring cups be sure to grind first then measure.
• Sift all dry ingredients into the workbowl of your mixer and mix on low speed for 30 seconds to combine.
• Add softened butter and sour cream, mix on low to combine, scrape bowl, beat on medium (med-high for a hand mixer) for 90 seconds.
• This will aerate the cake and give it structure.
• Scrape the bowl down and in two additions add the egg mixture, beating for 20 seconds after each addition.
• Scrape the bowl one last time and give it a couple pulses.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-50 minutes, (rotate pan 180 degrees after 25 mins) a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean and the top of the cake will spring back when lightly pressed.
• Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for 10 minutes, remove sides of pan and allow to cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.
• Cake can be sliced and filled with chocolate ganache and/or frosted with any butter cream.
• It's delicous slightly warm with just a dusting of powdered sugar too!

ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, cake flour and baking powder. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and almond paste on high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add vanilla extract and slowly pour in confectioners' sugar. Mix until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Raise speed to high and add the egg yolks and whole eggs, one at a time. Reduce speed to medium and add the sour cream and dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake in the lower third of the oven for 35 minutes, or until the cake is golden and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool. Remove from pan and dust with confectioners' sugar.

HONEY-APPLE-ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Make the frosting: Whisk the egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until the mixture is warm and the sugar dissolves, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, 6 to 8 minutes. Beat in the almond extract, then beat in the butter a few pieces at a time. Continue beating until the frosting is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't worry if the mixture looks separated at first; keep beating and it will come together.)
• Assemble the cake: Bring the honey and 2 tablespoons water to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat; let cool slightly. Place 1 cake layer on a platter; brush with half of the honey mixture and spread the apple butter on top, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with the second cake layer and press down gently; brush with the remaining honey mixture. Cover the whole cake with the frosting and top with sliced almonds.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust the pans with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk 3 cups flour, the baking powder and salt in a bowl until combined. Beat 2 sticks butter and the sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium; beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. (The mixture may look separated at this point.)
• Mix 1/2 cup water with the cream in a liquid measuring cup or bowl. Beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour, until just smooth.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are lightly golden on top and the centers spring back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if desired.

BUTTERED ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• This recipe uses a loose-bottom cake tin.
• If you dont have one, Fold two long pieces of baking paper and cross them over the base of the cake tin at right angles.
• Then lift cake out when it is cooked.
• Place butter and sugar in a saucepan large enough to mix all the ingredients and heat until butter melts.
• Remove from heat.
• Beat eggs and milk together.
• Add to saucepan with sifted flour and baking powder.
• Mix with a wooden spoon until combined.
• Pour mixture into a baking paper-lined 20cm round loose-bottom cake tin.
• Bake at 180C degrees for 40 minutes.
• Spread topping over and cook a further 10-15 minutes or until the cake is cooked.
• Leave in tin for 10 minutes before lifting out.
• ------------Topping-------------(?.
• Place butter, sugar and almonds in a saucepan.
• Heat, stirring until the sugar melts.
• Add milk.
• Bring to the boil and boil for 5 minutes.

LEMON-ALMOND BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Combine the lemon zest and juice in a nonreactive saucepan with the sugar and eggs and beat well. Add the butter and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens into curd. Be sure to keep scraping the bottom of the pan during the few minutes this takes you; you don't want the eggs to scramble before the curd forms. If you're the nervous type, make the curd in a heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water (the bowl shouldn't touch the water). The curd will take just a little longer to thicken, about 5 minutes. Strain the crud into a bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface so a skin doesn't form. Refrigerate until cool, at least 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a springform pan with 1 tablespoon of the butter and dust it with 1 tablespoon of the flour.
• Cream the remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a large bowl with 1 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy. Sift the remaining 1 cup flour, the baking powder, and salt together and stir into the creamed butter.
• In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until they start to foam. Do not overbeat, or the cake will be tough. Add the eggs and ground almonds to the flour and butter mixture, mixing well.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Drop 8 individual tablespoons of lemon curd evenly around the outside of the cake, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Try to place the curd so there's an even amount of cake batter between each dollop of curd. Drop 3 tablespoons curd in the center. Refrigerate any remaining curd for another use (hint: breakfast toast). Sprinkle the top of the cake with sliced almonds and 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, according to taste.
• Bake until the cake is toasty brown on top and a toothpick or knife inserted into the cake comes out clean (be sure not to insert it near the curd), about 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove the sides of the pan and let cool completely on a rack.
• If serving the cake with whipped cream, add the almond liqueur to the heavy cream and beat until the cream is stiff. Sift a thin, even layer of confectioners' sugar over the top of the cake. Present the cake at the table and offer the almond whipped cream on the side.

ALMOND BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Make dough (rough puff pastry):
• Sift together flour, salt, and sugar into a chilled large metal bowl. Set a grater over flour mixture and coarsely grate frozen butter into flour, gently lifting flour and tossing to coat butter.
• Drizzle ice water evenly over flour mixture and gently stir with a fork until incorporated. Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 6 portions. With heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion to help distribute fat. Gather dough together with scraper and form into a 6- to 7-inch square. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour. (Dough will be lumpy and streaky.)
• Make filling while pastry chills:
• Purée almond paste, sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract and purée until incorporated. Add flour and pulse until incorporated. Transfer to a small bowl and chill, covered, to firm at least 1 hour.
• Roll out pastry:
• Roll out dough on a well-floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a 21- by 7-inch rectangle and arrange rectangle with a short side nearest you. Fold into thirds, first the top down and then the bottom up (like a letter), brushing off excess flour, to form a roughly 7-inch square. Rewrap dough and chill 20 minutes.
• Arrange square on floured surface so that a side with 3 layers visible is nearest you and roll into a 21- by 7-inch rectangle, rolling lengthwise away from and toward yourself, but not side to side. Fold in thirds, brush off excess flour, and chill 20 minutes. Repeat rolling out, folding in thirds, and chilling 3 more times. After last round of rolling and folding, chill rewrapped dough 1 hour.
• Assemble and glaze galette:
• Roll out dough in same manner into a rectangle 24 inches long, then cut in half crosswise. On a floured surface, roll out each piece of pastry into a 12-inch square and transfer to separate baking sheets by rolling pastry around rolling pin, brushing off excess flour, then unrolling onto baking sheets. Chill squares until firm, about 10 minutes in freezer or 30 minutes in refrigerator.
• Put an oven rack in lowest position and another in top third of oven and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Stir together egg and milk in a small bowl with a fork to make an egg wash.
• Using a plate as a guide, cut 1 pastry square on baking sheet into an 11-inch round, reserving excess dough for another use. Using tip of a knife and a smaller plate as a guide, score a 9-inch circle, leaving a 1-inch border all around. (If at any time pastry becomes too soft to work with, chill until firm.) Cut a 1/2-inch circle in center of round to serve as a steam vent, then score curved lines close together inside 9-inch circle in a pinwheel design and lightly brush pastry all over with egg wash. Chill scored pastry on a baking sheet while preparing remaining pastry.
• Cut remaining square into an 11-inch round in same manner. Brush some of egg wash in a 1-inch wide border around edge of round and mound chilled filling in center, spreading to about 1 1/2 inches from edge. Bury almond or bean anywhere in filling. Slide chilled pastry round gently over filling, scored side up, and press edges of rounds together to seal. Cut decorative notches, 1 inch apart, around sealed edge of galette.
• Using a fine-mesh sieve, dust top of galette with confectioners sugar.
• Bake galette:
• Bake on baking sheet on bottom rack of oven until puffed and golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer galette to upper third of oven and continue baking until very puffed and deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes (galette will deflate slightly). Serve warm.

ALMOND BROWN BUTTER CAKE WITH PLUMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and set the oven to the middle position.
• Brush an 8-inch cake pan with melted butter, line with a round of parchment paper, and brush with a little more butter. Cook the butter over medium heat until the solids settle to the bottom and the butter turns a deep tawny brown and smells nutty, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter.
• Sift the flour and sugar together and add the ground almonds.
• Beat the egg whites and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer until they form stiff peaks.
• Add the flour mixture in a steady stream and mix until smooth. Add the brown butter and the almond extract and mix until just combined. Pour the batter into the pan, arrange the plums in a circular pattern on top, and sprinkle with the sliced almonds. Bake until the top is golden brown and the sides of the cake have pulled away slightly from the pan, about 45 minutes.
• Cool the cake in the pan. Sift a little powdered sugar over the top before serving.
• Variation: Substitute 1/2 pound pitted, whole fresh cherries in place of the plums.
• To make 12 individual cakes: Brush a muffin tin with melted butter and distribute the batter, fruit, and almonds evenly. Bake until golden brown and cooked through- about 25 minutes.

ALMOND BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• whip butter until fluffy.
• add almond butter and continue whipping.
• add vanilla extract an molasses.
• slowly add powdered sugar and whip until blended and fluffy.