Dolce Garbo - Italian Almond Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) ground almonds 2 cups (240g) ground almonds
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup (120ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 20g (Saturated Fat: 6g)
• Carbohydrates: 38g (Sugar: 28g)
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, almond extract, and lemon zest.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
5. 5.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. 6.
   Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. 8.
   Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar.
9. 9.
   Slice and serve.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for this recipe, as they provide the desired texture and flavor. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until finely ground.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, being careful to only remove the outer yellow layer and avoid the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a splash of Amaretto liqueur to the batter.
• Serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla gelato for a delightful twist.
• If you prefer a more intense almond flavor, you can substitute almond flour for the all-purpose flour.
• To ensure a moist cake, avoid overbaking. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake - it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Serving advice

Serve each slice of Dolce Garbo on a dessert plate, dusted with an additional sprinkle of powdered sugar. Accompany it with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of sweet dessert wine for a truly indulgent experience.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Dolce Garbo, you can garnish each slice with a few slivered almonds or a sprig of fresh mint. Serve it on a cake stand or a decorative platter to showcase its elegance.