Almond Brittle Cake by Benjamina Ebuehi

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

   Grease a springform or loose-bottomed 9-inch (23-cm) cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. To make the cake, sift together the flour, baking powder and cardamom in a small bowl and set aside. Using a stand mixer or electric whisk, whisk the eggs and sugar together for 5 minutes, or until the eggs are thick and pale.

3. The eggs need to reach ribbon stage: when you lift up the whisk attachment, the batter should leave a trail on the surface that holds its shape for a few seconds before dissolving back into itself.

4. Gently fold in half of the flour with a rubber spatula, being careful not to knock out too much air. Pour in the buttermilk and continue to fold the batter until the buttermilk is fully incorporated. Fold in the rest of the flour, ensuring there aren’t any pockets of flour hiding at the bottom of the bowl.

5. Carefully pour the melted butter down the side of the bowl and fold until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cake is just set. There shouldn’t be any wobble in the middle, as it needs to be firm enough to hold the weight of the almonds.

6. To make the topping, lightly toast the flaked almonds in a dry frying pan over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow
to cool until needed. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the sugar, cream and vanilla and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it thickens slightly. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the almonds, ensuring they’re evenly coated.

   Top Tip: Alternative nut toppings

   Alternative nut toppings

   Try mixing up the praline by using a mix of almonds and hazelnuts.

7. Pour the mixture on top of the cooled cake and use an offset spatula to very gently spread it evenly over the surface. Put the cake back into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes before running a palette knife around the edge of the cake to stop it from sticking to the sides of the pan. Let it cool completely before removing it from the pan and slicing.