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.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 5 tbsp. softened butter
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 oz./85 g. raw almonds
- 2 1/2 oz./70 g. shaved chocolate
- 6 lady fingers
- 4 oz. milk
- 2 1/2 oz. Licor 43 (or rum)
- 1 tbsp. corn starch
- 1 tbsp. unbleached white flour
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
Steps to Make It
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Heat oven to 360°F (180°C) degrees.
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Grease a 9-inch springform pan with vegetable shortening. Separate the yolks and egg whites into separate bowls.
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Blanch, peel and toast the almonds on a baking sheet at 360°F for 5-10 minutes. Grind them in a food processor and set aside. To reduce the preparation time, buy peeled blanched almonds in the store and grind them.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, adding sugar and beating until mixture is smooth.
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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.
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In another bowl, pour in the milk and Licor 43. Soak the lady fingers in the milk mixture until soft, then add to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well. Add the flour and corn starch and mix.
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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.
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Bake in the oven on middle rack for about 35 minutes. Check the cake after 20 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick is inserted into the center and come out clean.
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Cool the cake on a rack. When cool, remove the sides of the pan. Dust with cocoa and powdered sugar before serving.
Note: An 8-inch springform pan may be used, but baking time will need to be increased.