Rich Almond Cake

Prep
15 mins
Cook
75 mins
Serves
12
Skill
Easy

This delicious Italian-style almond cake is so easy to make, yet has a professional look, with its topping of flaked nuts. Almonds are a big favourite in Italian desserts, sweets and even liqueurs, and the ground almonds in this cake make it an absolute dream to eat.

Ingredients

175 g (6oz) Bertolli with Butter
200 g (7oz) caster sugar
4 large eggs
125 g (4½oz) ground almonds
70 g (2½oz) plain flour
3 - 4 drops almond extract
flaked almonds
Icing sugar or warmed apricot jam, to decorate

Method

Beat the Bertolli and sugar until light and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time and then fold in the ground almonds, flour and almond extract.
Spread the mixture in a greased and base-lined 20cm (8 inch) deep cake tin. Sprinkle with flaked almonds.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C, 160°C fan oven, Gas mark 4 for 1-1¼ hours or until the cake is cooked (a skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean).
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Dust with icing sugar or brush with warmed apricot jam.