Mandeltårta is a delicious Swedish almond cake, often enjoyed during the Christmas season. It’s rich, moist, and has a wonderful almond flavor that pairs perfectly with holiday festivities. Here’s a recipe for a traditional Swedish Mandeltårta (Almond Cake) for Christmas:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 200 g (7 oz) ground almonds (or almond flour)
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 100 g (1/2 cup) butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- A pinch of salt
For the Almond Topping:
- 50 g (1/4 cup) sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
- Stir in the ground almonds, melted butter, vanilla extract, baking powder, and a pinch of salt until everything is well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
3. Prepare the Almond Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the sliced almonds, melted butter, and sugar.
- Sprinkle the almond mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.
4. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Whip the Cream:
- While the cake is cooling, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract (if using) until soft peaks form.
6. Serve:
- Once the cake has cooled, slice it and serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can add a tablespoon of almond extract to the cake batter.
- To make the cake extra festive, you can dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle it with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and water.
- You can also serve the Mandeltårta with a few fresh berries or a small sprig of mint for a pop of color.
Enjoy your Mandeltårta with family and friends during the Christmas holidays!
