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Chocolate and Almond Cake Recipe - Pastel de Chocolate y Almendras

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Pastel de Chocolate y Almendras - Chocolate and Almond Cake (c)

Pastel de Chocolate y Almendras - Chocolate and Almond Cake

Lisa Sierra (c) 2009 Licensed to About.com Inc.
Ground almonds and shaved chocolate are mixed with liqueur-soaked lady fingers, then baked. The result is a rich-tasting, but light cake. It is a good choice for brunch for dessert to end a special dinner. Serve with espresso coffee.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs
  • 5 Tbsp softened butter
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 oz (85 gr) raw almonds
  • 2 1/2 oz (70 gr) shaved chocolate
  • 6 lady fingers
  • 4 oz milk
  • 2 1/2 oz Liquor 43 (or rum)
  • 1 Tbsp corn starch
  • 1 Tbsp unbleached white flour
  • 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 360F (180C) degrees.

Grease a 9-inch springform pan with vegetable shortening. Separate the yolks and egg whites into separate bowls.

Blanch, peel and toast the almonds on a baking sheet at 360F for 5-10 minutes. Grind them in a food processor and set aside. To reduce preparation time, buy peeled blanched almonds in the store and grind them.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, adding sugar and beating until mixture is smooth.

Add egg yolks one at a time, continuously mixing. Add the ground almonds and shaved chocolate and mix well on low with a hand mixer.

In another bowl, pour in milk and Liquor 43. Soak the lady fingers until soft, then add to the butter-sugar mixture and mix well. Add flour and corn starch and mix.

Beat the egg whites to a stiff point, which takes about 5 minutes with an electric hand mixer. Fold into the batter using a spatula.

Bake in oven on middle rack for about 35 minutes. Check cake after 20 minutes. Cake is done when a toothpick is inserted into the center and come out clean.

Cool cake on a rack. When cool, remove sides of pan. Before serving dust with cocoa and powdered sugar.

Note: An 8-inch springform pan may be used, and baking time will need to be increased.

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