Crunchy Almond Cake

This easy Italian-style Easter cake has almonds inside and out. Recipe from Rachael Ray.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  blanched  whole almond
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 3  large eggs, at room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup milk, at room temperature
• 1  tablespoon honey
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1  grated orange, rind of
• 1  cup flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄3 cup  almonds, sliced
•  confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
3. Tip: Take the chill off refrigerated eggs by setting them in a bowl of warm water while you prepare the other ingredients.
4. Using a food processor, grind together the whole almonds and the granulated sugar (use the food processor's pulse feature to grind the almonds and sugar so you don't turn the mixture into nut butter).
5. Transfer to a medium bowl.
6. Beat in eggs, butter, milk, honey, vanilla and orange peel until smooth.
7. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt over the egg mixture and fold in until just combined (sift the flour, baking powder and salt over the cake batter to avoid overmixing; for a tender crumb, fold in sifted dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined).
8. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
9. Scatter the sliced almonds on top.
10. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes.
11. Transfer the cake to a rack to cool.
12. Sift confectioners' sugar over the top just before serving.