Orange and Almond Spanish Cake

Sackville's Note:

The first time I tasted this cake I couldn't believe it was possible to make a cake that is so light and yet holds up so well without any flour. The syrup makes it very moist as well. It would be perfect as a gourmet birthday cake for anyone with gluten or flour allergies. When they are in season, Seville oranges are recommended.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 eggs, separated
• 240 g caster sugar
• 230 g almonds, almost finely ground
• 2 1/2 oranges, finely grated zest of

SYRUP

• 8 oranges, juiced
• 1 1/2 lemons, juiced (if not using Seville oranges)
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• caster sugar, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 C or 350 F.
2. Line a 23 cm spring-form tin on the bottom and sides with greaseproof paper.
3. Keeping 1 tbsp of caster sugar aside for later, mix the egg yolks and sugar together until pale.
4. Then add the almonds and zest.
5. Beat the egg whites and remaining tablespoon of sugar until stiff.
6. Carefully fold into the sugar-egg mixture, trying not to knock the air out of the whites.
7. The egg yolk/sugar mixture will seem quite stiff at first, but keep folding in the egg whites and it will soon loosen up.
8. Gently ease the batter into the lined tin.
9. Place on the middle shelf of your oven and bake for 60-70 minutes until it is golden on top and firm to touch.
10. While the torte is in the oven, make the syrup by placing the orange juice, lemon juice and cinnamon in a saucepan with a handful of sugar.
11. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for about five minutes.
12. Taste.
13. The syrup should be quite tart.
14. Cool and place in the fridge.
15. When the torte is ready, remove from the oven and cool completely on a rack before opening the springform tin.
16. Transfer to a plate and pierce four small holes in the top of the cake.
17. Pour half the syrup over the top and serve with the rest of the syrup on the side.
18. If you are making the cake ahead of time, I usually wait until a few hours before serving to pour the syrup over.

Reviews

[fluffernutter]

This cake tasted exactly like I imagined it would and was the ideal finish to a Spanish dinner party. Like the other reviewer, I found that the juice of 4 oranges and a lemon was more than enough. Even then, I had about twice more syrup than we needed. I toasted the almonds lightly before grinding them. Good recipe -- thanks for posting!

[ChefMattie]

This cake is fabulous! I've made it a few times and taken it to work for a few colleagues that are gluten free and they loved it. It's moist, light and best served cold. You don't need so many oranges for the syrup, the ones that I grated orange rind from were enough to juice and pour over the cake. This cake is a definate winner, even my kids liked it.

[Chef #188409]

since finding this recipe last year I have made it several times the light texture make it an ideal dinner party dessert and the oranges clean the palette.I usually make the cake in a savrin ring and boil some sliced oranges in the syrup to use for decoration on the cake.I tend not to make quite as much syrup as suggested