Dutch Almond Cake Food

BOTERKOEK (DUTCH BUTTER CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8 inch round cake pans, or 9 inch pie plates.
• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, reserving just enough to brush over the tops, about 1 tablespoon. Stir in the almond extract. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter by hand using a sturdy spoon. The dough will be stiff.
• Press evenly into the two prepared pans. Press almond halves into the top where each slice would be. Brush the tops with a thin layer of the reserved egg.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Cut into wedges to serve.

OMA'S BOTERKOEK (DUTCH BUTTERCAKE)

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix together butter, sugar and almond extract.
• Add beaten egg except for 1 teaspoon.
• Sift flour and baking powder, and add to bowl, mixing with wet ingredients.
• Put dough in greased 9 inch pie plate.
• Mix the reserved 1 tsp of beaten egg with 1 tsp of water, and brush over dough.
• Sprinkle with sliced almonds, if desired. (My Oma always used the almonds, it looks pretty and adds a nice touch!).
• Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until done (firm to the touch).
• This is a dense cake, but should be soft on the inside and hard on the outside, but not too hard!

NORWEGIAN ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over low heat, or in a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Stir in the heavy cream. Cook and stir until the mixture is very thick: a few drops dribbled onto the surface should be visible. Remove from heat, and stir in the butter until completely incorporated. Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface, and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
• In a glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites with an electric mixer until it is able to hold a firm peak. In a separate bowl, stir together the ground almonds, baking powder, and confectioners' sugar. Using a whisk or rubber spatula, fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the almond mixture to lighten; fold in the remaining egg whites until well blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top of the cake springs back when pressed lightly. Cool cake, then remove from the pan. Spread the glaze on top, and serve.

DUTCH CAKE

Steps:

• Turn oven on to 350 F.
• Cake: Cream the butter and sugar, add egg and then the dry ingredients which have been sifted together first.
• Press into a non-stick flat tin.
• Topping: Cream the butter and sugar and then add the sifted dry ingredients.
• Spread over the cake mixture.
• Bake until cooked which usually takes 20-30 minutes.

DUTCH ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and extract. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness; cut with a floured 2-in. round cookie cutter. Place half of the circles 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Crumble 1/2 teaspoon almond paste over each; top with remaining circles. Pinch edges to seal., Cut a small slit in top of each cookie. Brush with egg white. Press an almond in each slit. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.