Torta De Cielo (Almond Sponge Cake)
This delicious cake is from Diana Kennedy's "The Cuisines of Mexico" -- a really great book. Here the cake is flavored with almond. Sometimes the 'cake of heaven' is flavored with anise. Remember, the almonds need a good 6 hours to soak, before you can begin to make the cake.
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INGREDIENTS
Nutrition- 1⁄2lb almonds
- 5
- 1⁄2teaspoon coarse salt
- 1⁄2
- 1⁄4teaspoon baking powder
- 1tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1tablespoon brandy
- 1⁄4teaspoon almond extract
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DIRECTIONS
- Pour hot water over the almonds to cover and let them soak at least six hours; skin them.
- Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Butter a 9" springform pan generously; cut a piece of parchment to fit the bottom; lay it in the bottom, press, and turn so that the parchment is buttered on both sides; lightly flour the pan.
- Chop the nuts roughly, then grind them a little at a time; to qoute Ms. Kennedy, "they should be neither too coarse not too fine.".
- Beat the egg whites until fluffy; add the salt and continue beating until they are stiff.
- Add the yolks one by one and continue beating until incorporated.
- Mix the dry ingredients together and, beating at low speed, gradually add them to the egg mixture.
- Add the brandy and almond extract, mix well and pour into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 1 and 1/4 hours in the middle of the oven.
- Let the cake get cold before removing it from the pan.
- This moist, textured cake keeps almost indefinitely if stored in a cool dry place--preferably not the refrigerator.
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