The Royal Almond Cake is a rich, nutty, and elegant dessert that embodies the luxurious flavors of almonds, butter, and warm spices. This cake is perfect for special occasions, offering a moist and tender crumb with a delicate almond essence. Traditionally served at royal gatherings, this cake is often topped with a light syrup and garnished with crushed almonds and powdered sugar for an exquisite finish.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- Almond Flour – 2 cups
- All-Purpose Flour – 1 cup
- Granulated Sugar – 1 ½ cups
- Unsalted Butter – 1 cup, softened
- Large Eggs – 6
- Almond Extract – 1 teaspoon
- Vanilla Extract – ½ teaspoon
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Ground Cinnamon – ½ teaspoon
- Ground Nutmeg – ¼ teaspoon
- Milk – ⅓ cup
For the Syrup:
- Water – 1 cup
- Sugar – 1 cup
- Orange Blossom Water – 1 teaspoon
For Garnish:
- Crushed Almonds – ¼ cup
- Powdered Sugar – for dusting
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in almond extract and vanilla extract.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together almond flour, all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, mixing until just combined.
- Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Syrup
- While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup by combining water and sugar in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and stir in orange blossom water. Set aside to cool.
- Soak and Cool
- Once the cake is out of the oven, let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- Using a skewer or fork, poke holes all over the top of the cake.
- Slowly pour the syrup over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes and soak into the cake.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing.
- Garnish and Serve
- Transfer the cake to a serving plate.
- Sprinkle crushed almonds and powdered sugar over the top for garnish.
- Slice and serve this Royal Almond Cake as a delicious dessert for a special occasion.
This Royal Almond Cake is a decadent treat with a rich almond flavor and a delicate sweetness, perfect for celebrations or afternoon tea. Enjoy! 🍰✨
For more variations, check out this recipe or explore different techniques here. Happy baking! 😋