Rapska Torta - A Delightful Croatian Almond Cake

Ingredients

• 250g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 250g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 25g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, and lemon zest.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until light and fluffy.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the beaten eggs to the almond mixture, stirring gently until well combined.
5. 5.
   Stir in the vanilla extract.
6. 6.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
7. 7.
   Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. 8.
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. 9.
   Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar.
10. 10.
    Slice and serve.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds — Ensure that the almonds are finely ground to achieve a smooth texture in the cake batter.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a splash of Amaretto liqueur to the batter.
• Serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.
• If you prefer a more citrusy flavor, add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the batter.
• To make the cake even more visually appealing, garnish it with slivered almonds before baking.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve Rapska Torta as a delightful dessert after a Croatian-inspired meal. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea.

Presentation advice

Present the Rapska Torta on a decorative cake stand or plate. Dust the top generously with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Optionally, garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a few raspberries for a pop of color.