Almond Cakes With Syrup Recipes

Steps:

• To prepare the oranges for the cake: Place the oranges into a large saucepan (I used a stockpot, but something the size of a Dutch Oven would do), cover oranges with hot water from the tap, place on a medium heat, and bring water up to boiling point.
• I had a problem with the oranges floating, so I placed a heatproof glass pie plate on top to keep them submerged.
• Reduce heat and simmer oranges for 40-50 minutes or until the skin is very tender - your fingernail should easily penetrate the skin.
• Check water from time to time and top up if necessary.
• Remove oranges from pan and allow to cool, then cut oranges into quarters, remove any seeds, and leave on a plate, uncovered, at room temperature, to dry a little for 1-2 hours.
• Now, unless you're going to make the cake immediately, place the orange quarters into a sealed container and store in the refrigerator until needed.
• To make the syrup: The syrup will keep so it can be made well ahead.
• Just place the orange juice, sugar and sauternes in a saucepan over a medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid is reduced by half.
• From time to time, and especially at the end, scrape off any scum that forms on the top.
• Pour into a heat proof jug or jar, cool, cover and refrigerate until needed.
• Note: the syrup is supposed to thicken as it cools, but don't expect a thick syrup.
• To make the glace oranges: Remove any seeds from the orange slices and arrange them (with the rind still on) in a large, shallow, heatproof container.
• Cover oranges with boiling water and allow to stand at room temperature overnight.
• The next day, drain the oranges.
• In a large frying pan, place the sugar, water and vanilla bean and stir over a low heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Now, add the orange slices in a single layer, and simmer, uncovered over a low heat for an hour.
• Remove oranges and arrange in one layer on a plate and cover with the syrup. Cover and keep in the refrigerator until you want to decorate the cake - I did this just prior to serving it.
• If you find, as I did, the syrup went toffee-ish and the oranges stuck to the plate after keeping, just whack it, uncovered, into the microwave for a minute or so to melt the syrup.
• To make the cake: Spray a 22cm (9") springform tin with a double layer of silicone (baking) paper.
• Preheat oven to 170°C.
• Now, put the boiled orange quarters (peel and all) into a food processor and pulse until quite smooth - you won't get it completely smooth, but do your best.
• Add the eggs and pulse again, trying to get the smoothest mixture possible.
• Add the sugar, the flour (if using), the baking powder and as much of the almond meal as you can without overloading your food processor and pulse until you have a smooth batter.
• If necessary, pour batter into a big mixing bowl and stir in the rest of the almond meal.
• Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake at 170C for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer, inserted in the centre, comes out clean.
• Allow to cool a little, then release the springform pan, and invert the cake onto a dinner plate and carefully remove the baking paper from the base and sides.
• Invert back onto another plate, allow to cool, then cover and refrigerate until needed.
• To decorate cake: Use your own judgement, but this is what I did.
• Pour a couple of tablespoons of the sauce over the top of the cake and smooth with the back of a spoon.
• Cut some of the glace orange slices into halves and arrange around the outside of the cake.
• Leave three or four slices whole, cut halfway through and then 'twist' to sit upright in a circle in the centre of the cake.
• Using a pastry brush, use the syrup from the glace oranges to glaze the sides of the cake - microwave the syrup briefly to bring it back to liquid consistency if necessary.
• Tuck some pretty flowers (I used daisies) amongst the oranges on top of the cake.
• To serve: Serve small slices (it's rich) with the syrup (cold or at room temperature) and a dollop of thick cream.
• Swear never to make this cake again!

Steps:

• 1. Combine flour, baking powder, semolina pinch of salt and ground almonds
• 2. Blend the sugar and butter in a large bowl, adding 1 beaten egg with the flour mixture. Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth paste. Make small walnut-size balls with the mixture, using a little butter on your hands to prevent sticking.
• 3. Place balls on a greased baking sheet and slightly flatten the balls. Press a blanched almond into the center of each ball. Brush with a beaten egg yolk and bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.
• 4. To make the syrup, bring the sugar and water to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice and allow syrup to cool. Pour over the syrup and refrigerate. Serve chilled with cream, if desired.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Bring 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 1/2 tablespoon orange peel to boil in heavy small saucepan, stirring often; boil 2 minutes. Refrigerate syrup uncovered.
• Finely grind all nuts, zwieback, cinnamon, and 1/3 cup sugar in processor. Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks, vanilla, 1/3 cup sugar, and remaining 1 tablespoon orange peel in large bowl until very thick, about 4 minutes. Using clean beaters, beat whites and salt in another large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually add 1 cup sugar; beat until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into yolk mixture, then fold in nut mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Spoon cold syrup over hot cake. Cool completely. Cover; let stand up to 1 day. Cut into squares or diamonds.