Almond Cake Delight (Printable Version)

Moist almond dessert featuring almond paste and a crisp sliced almond topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 4 ounces almond paste
02 - ½ cup granulated sugar
03 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 3 large eggs
05 - ½ teaspoon almond extract
06 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
07 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
08 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Topping

09 - ½ cup sliced almonds
10 - 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

→ Optional Garnish

11 - Powdered sugar
12 - Whipped cream
13 - Fresh berries

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack positioned in the middle. Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and grease the pan thoroughly.
02 - Crumble almond paste into a food processor. Add granulated sugar and pulse until the almond paste is finely ground. Add softened butter and process continuously until the mixture forms a smooth ball.
03 - Add eggs and almond extract to the processor and blend until fully combined, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
04 - Sprinkle in all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Process until all ingredients are uniformly blended.
05 - Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Tap the pan gently on the countertop to eliminate air bubbles. Evenly distribute sliced almonds and sprinkle granulated sugar over the top, layering half of each twice.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 26 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Place the pan on a wire rack and cool for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the cake from the pan and return it to the rack to cool completely. Press fallen almonds back onto the surface if necessary. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream and fresh berries.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Ensure the almond paste is finely processed to achieve a smooth batter and even crumb texture.