apple cake and almond cream

Apple Cake with Almond Cream

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk

For the Almond Cream:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 tsp almond extract
• A pinch of salt

For Topping:

• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preparing the Almond Cream

1. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and continue to mix until smooth.
3. Gradually fold in the almond flour, almond extract, and a pinch of salt until the mixture forms a smooth, spreadable cream.
4. Set the almond cream aside for later use.

2. Preparing the Cake Batter

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform cake pan with butter. You can also line the base with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.
3. In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

3. Adding the Apples

1. Peel, core, and slice the apples thinly.
2. Arrange a layer of apple slices over the batter in the cake pan.

4. Adding the Almond Cream

1. Spoon the almond cream over the apples, spreading it gently to cover the apples evenly.
2. Pour the remaining cake batter over the almond cream, smoothing it out as evenly as possible.
3. Arrange the remaining apple slices on top of the batter in a circular pattern.

5. Finishing Touches

1. Sprinkle the top with sliced almonds for a crunchy texture.
2. Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown, and the cake should feel firm to the touch.

6. Cooling and Serving

1. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
2. Carefully release the springform pan and let the cake cool on a wire rack.
3. Once completely cool, dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

7. Serving Suggestions

• Serve the apple cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
• This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

Tips for the Best Apple Cake

• Apple Choice: Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, as they hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice tart contrast to the sweet almond cream.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure a smooth batter.
• Almond Flour: For the almond cream, almond flour works best, but you can also use finely ground blanched almonds if almond flour is unavailable.

Storage

• Store any leftover apple cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To maintain its moisture, cover the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight cake dome.

Variations

• Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
• Nut-Free: If you have a nut allergy, you can skip the almond cream layer and simply add more apple slices in the middle for an extra fruity layer.
• Add Spices: Feel free to add more spices like nutmeg or cardamom to the batter for a warmer flavor.

This Apple Cake with Almond Cream is a delightful dessert, combining the tartness of apples with the rich flavor of almond cream. The cake is moist and tender, with a lovely crunch from the sliced almonds on top. Perfect for any occasion, this cake is sure to impress your family and friends!