Fregolotta - Italian Almond Crumble Cake

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (180g) ground almonds 1 ½ cups (180g) ground almonds
• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 24g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 12g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, flour, and granulated sugar.
3. 3.
   Add the cold cubed butter to the bowl and use your fingertips to rub it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. 4.
   Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until the dough comes together.
5. 5.
   Transfer the dough to the greased cake pan and press it down evenly.
6. 6.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan.
8. 8.
   Once cooled, carefully remove the Fregolotta from the pan and dust 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. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until finely ground.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough.
• If you prefer a more pronounced almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract along with the vanilla extract.
• Serve the Fregolotta warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• You can customize the Fregolotta by adding dried fruits or chocolate chips to the dough for added texture and flavor.

Serving advice

Serve the Fregolotta as a dessert on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a fragrant herbal tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the Fregolotta with powdered sugar just before serving. You can also garnish it with a few toasted almond slices for an elegant touch.