A few weeks ago I was going through my Passover recipes file and came across a recipe for Italian Almond Cake with Poached Fruit from the Jerusalem Post. Unfortunately, it didn't say whose recipe it was. Also I didn't have the second page of instructions.
I made some changes and figured out how to proceed based on similar cakes I've baked.
First, I converted all the metric measurements.
I figured out how much, in cups, came from 3/4 cup whole almonds.
I didn't use blanched almonds, figuring that almonds with skin were just as good.
I switched to coconut oil because I don't like margarine.
I deleted the liquor and used orange juice instead, and added some freshly grated orange peel.
I separated the eggs and whipped the whites with sugar to provide a lighter texture than I thought the cake would have without fluffed whites.
I didn't serve it with poached fruit (I used fresh oranges and sorbet).
Some would say that with all these changes the recipe is now mine, and I understand that.
Still, the cake was delicious and I would have preferred to give credit!
Btw, it's gluten free!
Here's my version of Passover Orange-Almond Cake.
Passover Orange Almond Cake
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 6 tablespoons plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh orange peel
- 1/4 cup potato starch
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a small amount of the coconut oil, lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper. Set aside. Melt the remaining coconut oil and set aside to cool. Place the almonds and 6 tablespoons sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and stir at low speed for a minute until the ingredients are well distributed. Add the egg yolks, orange juice and orange peel and beat them in at medium speed for about one minute. Stir in the potato starch. Stir in the cooled coconut oil. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites for 1-2 minutes, going from low to high speed, or until the whites stand in soft peaks. Add the remaining sugar and beat until the mixture stands in stiff peaks. Fold them into the almond mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Makes 6-8 servings