Armenian Nutmeg Cake

Armenia is famous for its sweet and spicy nutmeg cake. It has a crunchy base and light cake topping, and tastes delicious. This recipe was given to me 16 years ago by the mother of one of my son's kindergarten friends. Tried and true!

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2  cups brown sugar, firmly packed (I use dark brown)
• 2  cups plain flour, sifted
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  pinch salt
• 1⁄2 cup  cold butter, roughly chopped
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup milk (or you can substitute sour cream)
• 1  egg, lightly beaten
• 1  teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts or 1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped
•  ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9 inch square pan, and line with baking paper if desired.
3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
4. You can do this with the tips of your fingers or in your food processor.
5. Then add sugar, and combine.
6. Press half this mixture evenly over the base of the prepared cake pan, and reserve other half.
7. Dissolve baking soda in milk (or sour cream), add beaten egg and nutmeg, then add to reserved mixture.
8. Combine well.
9. Pour into pan and sprinkle nuts, and some cinnamon if desired, over top.
10. Bake in oven for 45 minutes to 60 minutes (start testing for doneness with a skewer after about 45 minutes).
11. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool.