Traditional Swedish Almond Cake Recipe

Traditional Swedish Almond Cake Recipe

Table Of Contents

1. Ingredients
2. Instructions
   1. Vanilla Frosting
3. Tips and Tricks

The Swedish almond cake, or Mandeltårta, is a traditional cake that has been served in Sweden for centuries. This delicious dessert is made with almond paste, sugar, eggs, and flour, and is usually topped with a creamy vanilla frosting. It is a popular cake for birthdays, special occasions, or just a sweet afternoon treat. This recipe is sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

Ingredients

For the almond paste:

• 2 cups ground almonds
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons almond extract
• 1/4 cup water

For the cake:

• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs, separated
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

To make the almond paste: In a medium bowl, mix together the ground almonds, sugar, almond extract, and water until it forms a thick paste. Set aside.

To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and almond extract, and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter.

Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spread the almond paste evenly over the top. Top with the remaining batter and smooth the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Vanilla Frosting

To make the vanilla frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to reach a spreadable consistency. Spread over the cooled cake and decorate with sliced almonds, if desired.

Tips and Tricks

For a richer almond flavor, try adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the frosting. You can also replace the almond extract in the cake batter with 1/2 cup of almond liqueur, such as amaretto. If you don't have an almond liqueur, you can also use hazelnut liqueur. Don't forget to add a pinch of salt to the cake batter for a nice balance of flavors. For a unique twist, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or cardamom to the cake batter.

This traditional Swedish almond cake is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. The almond paste filling gives it a unique flavor and the creamy vanilla frosting is the perfect finishing touch. Enjoy!