Kvæfjordkake - Norwegian Delight

Ingredients

• For the sponge cake: For the sponge cake:
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 150g (1 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour 150g (1 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar 150g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• For the vanilla custard: For the vanilla custard:
• 500ml (2 cups) whole milk 500ml (2 cups) whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks 4 large egg yolks
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 40g (1/4 cup) cornstarch 40g (1/4 cup) cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• For the meringue: For the meringue:
• 4 large egg whites 4 large egg whites
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• For the topping: For the topping:
• 50g (1/2 cup) sliced almonds, toasted 50g (1/2 cup) sliced almonds, toasted

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 53g, 36g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternating with the milk. Stir in the almond extract.
4. 4.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. 5.
   While the cake is baking, prepare the vanilla custard. In a saucepan, heat the milk until steaming but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
6. 6.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Transfer the custard to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool completely.
7. 7.
   Once the cake has cooled, carefully slice it horizontally into two equal layers.
8. 8.
   Spread the cooled custard evenly over the bottom layer of the cake.
9. 9.
   In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, a spoonful at a time, until stiff peaks form.
10. 10.
    Spread the meringue over the custard layer, making decorative peaks with a spatula.
11. 11.
    Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the meringue.
12. 12.
    Place the cake under the broiler for a few minutes until the meringue is lightly golden. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
13. 13.
    Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn quickly.
• Vanilla extract — Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. Avoid using imitation vanilla extract, as it may alter the taste of the custard.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, add a layer of fresh berries between the custard and meringue for a burst of fruity flavor.
• Make sure the custard is completely cooled before spreading it on the cake to prevent the layers from becoming soggy.
• To achieve a perfectly golden meringue, make sure the egg whites are at room temperature before beating them.
• If you prefer a sweeter meringue, you can add a tablespoon of powdered sugar while beating the egg whites.
• To make the cake extra special, drizzle a thin layer of melted dark chocolate over the top before adding the toasted almonds.

Serving advice

Serve Kvæfjordkake chilled for the best taste and texture. Cut the cake into slices and garnish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a fresh mint leaf for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

To showcase the beautiful layers of the cake, serve it on a cake stand or a decorative platter. You can also dust the top with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an added touch of elegance.