082. "Almondy" almond cake (Swedish recipe "like at IKEA")

Today I'd like to share the recipe for the Swedish almond cake "Almondy". You can buy it at IKEA or Azbuka Vkusa, but where's the fun in that? The cake is quite easy to make, and it tastes wonderful. Photo report under the cut ;).

Note first that this almond cake comes in two kinds: chocolate and plain. They're made the same way and IKEA sells both, but the chocolate one is coated after baking with melted "Daim" chocolate (it contains caramel — which is exactly why other brands won't do). I'll show you how to make the classic "Almondy" without chocolate.

Cooking time ≈ 40 minutes + 6 hours in the fridge.

Ingredients:

• 350 g slivered almonds
• 5 eggs
• 250 g sugar
• 230 ml 35% cream
• 120 g butter

Grind 200 g of the slivered almonds in a blender. If you grind ordinary almonds the flour comes out damp, so better not to risk it.

Separate the whites and yolks. Whisk the whites thoroughly, gradually adding 150 g of the sugar.

Gently fold the whisked whites into the almond flour.

Trace a tin about 20 cm across on a sheet of baking paper. Shape two discs of that size from the "dough".

Bake in an oven heated to 180°C for ≈ 20 minutes (until golden).

While the discs bake, make the cream: combine the remaining sugar, the cream, the yolks and the butter. Let the mixture thicken over a low heat, stirring constantly (the main thing is that it mustn't boil. But if the cream starts to curdle, try adding a little boiling water). Cool the discs and the cream, put them on a plate, spread the cream on both discs and decorate with the remaining almond flakes.

The finished "Almondy" needs to go into the fridge for a couple of hours (better overnight).

Bon appétit!