Wonder Cake
Submitted by clramge
Almond marble cake with swirls of cocoa through a light, airy batter made with real almond paste and whipped egg whites. Topped with sliced almonds and baked golden in a loaf pan.
YIELD
1 cakePREP
20 minCOOK
45 minREADY
1 hrsPart almond cake, part marble cake, and entirely its own thing. Almond paste creamed into the batter gives this loaf a marzipan-like richness, while whipped egg whites folded in keep the crumb impossibly light and airy.
A spoonful of cocoa gets swirled through the top for those gorgeous marble patterns that make every slice look different. Scattered sliced almonds on top toast up golden and crunchy in the oven.
This is a coffee cake, afternoon tea cake, and “I just need a little something sweet” cake all rolled into one elegant loaf.
Pro Tips
- Beat the almond paste into the creamed mixture thoroughly so there are no lumps in the final batter
- Fold the whipped egg whites in gently; overmixing deflates them and you lose that airy crumb
- Use a butter knife to create the marble swirl with just 2 or 3 passes through the batter
- The cake is done when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and springs back when touched
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃).
Grease and flour an 8½ X 8½ inch loaf pan.
Cream sugr, shortening and almond paste until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg yolks. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.
Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, starting and ending with flour.
Add vanilla extract. Beat until smooth. Beat egg whites until they form soft peaks.
Gradually beat in 3 tablespoons sugar.
Beat until egg whites are stiff but not dry.
Beat ¼ of the egg whites into batter. Fold batter into remaining egg whites being careful not to overmix.
Remove ½ cup batter and mix well with the cocoa.
Pour plain batter into prepared pan.
Spoon chocolate batter on top in blobs and marbleize with a knife or spatula.
Sprinkle with almonds.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and cake shrinks from sides of pan.
Cool on wire rack before turning out.
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