My wife has been asking me to bake her a French cake known as Pave Aux Amandes … for some time now. This year, Mother’s Day and her birthday happened within the same week, and I could not resist the temptation to kill two birds with one stone.
I had no idea what this cake is about and how easy it is to make. As it turns out, it is both delicious and simple – a combination that is hard to come by. I had low expectations for my baking qualities (aside from cookies, this was my first proper baking experience) but the cake turned out alright.
The finishing touch and – voila – the cake is ready to be enjoyed! Here is the recipe – again, it’s not super complicated and it doesn’t even need any tips.
- 125 gram butter
- 200 grams sugar
- 5 whole eggs
- 250 grams blanched almond flour
- Sliced almonds
- Butter a square or round baking pan, both bottom and sides; layer sliced almonds where buttered
- Cream 125 gram softened butter with 200 grams sugar until blended
- Blend in 5 whole eggs followed by 250 grams blanched almond flour
- Bake at 325ºF for about 45 minutes
- Cool the cake down a bit and turn it out onto a cooling rack
- Dust the top with powdered sugar
Here’s me, introducing the cake to my audience!
Enjoy it with coffee, mascarpone and fresh berries. Apparently, it’s a common afternoon snack in France!
Needless to say, the wife was awed, smitten, blown away. Coupled with flowers, lobster dinner and my (temporarily) good manners, the cake made the holidays a success. Consider making it for your loved ones for a special occasion.