Friday 30 September 2011

Autumn Berry & Almond Cake



What a lovely week we have had weatherwise. I have so enjoyed all the sunshine and warmth. A true Indian Summer week, the likes of which I have never experienced over here before. It's been a real treat! We've been out and about most days, which is also a real treat!



Almost as much of a treat as this tasty cake that I baked up yesterday afternoon! I had some berries in the fridge that I had bought the other day and wanted to use up . . . and decided a tasty cake was the best way to do it!



We love almonds and we love berries . . . the two together are heavenly. Especially when combined in a cake which is blissfully moist and buttery . . . and yet light at the same time . . . and absolutely stogged full of sweet/tart berries.



I chose to use blackberries and raspberries this time, but either one is lovely on their own, as are blueberries, or even all three together. Currants are also very nice. I love the crunch of the flaked almonds on top . . . it adds a wonderful texture.



You could have this with cream of course! We had it plain . . . but I may have another piece later on with some cream . . . and why not! Life is for living! (And I did rather do a lot of walking today!)



*Autumn Berry & Almond Cake*
Makes one 9 inch cake
Printable Recipe

A real family favourite. You can use any berries you have in any combination you like, alone or a mixture. I love to use raspberries and blackberries.

140g ground almonds (1 2/3 cups)
140g butter (2/3 cup)
140g caster sugar (3/4 cup)
140g self raising flour (1 1/4 cups)
2 large free range eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
250g of berries, fresh or frozen and defrosted (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 TBS flaked almonds
Sifted icing sugar

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter a 9 inch deep. loose bottomed cake tin and line the bottom with paper.

Cream together the butter, ground almonds, sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl until evenly mixed together. Spread half of the mixture into the prepared tin. Top with the berries. Dollop the remaining half of the batter over top and roughly spread it out as best as you can. (I wet my fingers and use them. This seems to work best) Sprinkle with the flaked almonds.

Bake for 50 minutes, until golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin. Dust with icing sugar and cut into wedges to serve.



Over in The Cottage today you will find some tasty Chili Chocolate Strawberries. Tres, tres . . . scrummy!

10 comments

  1. That looks so wonderful! I adore almond and fruit together, like maids of honour tarts with jam and almond together...you have made me crave them now! LoL

    Janet in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

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  2. I'm taking this recipe with me to Texas. My grandson will love it. We like to bake together. xo Jenny

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  3. That looks divine. I adore anything almondy and the berries look so pretty scattered in. Yay for the sudden hot weather. It feels like the summer we never had!

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  4. Almond flavor is a favorite of mine. I like your cake with the fluted edges. I'll have to see if I have a pan like that. it's much more appealing than a cake with straight edges. Why is that? : )

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  5. This is such a PRETTY cake, Marie...I love almond flavor, and berries... Must add this one to my to-try list! ;o) Happy Day, dear friend--LOVE YOU LOTS ((BIG HUGS))

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  6. THis looks wonderful! Sounds so easy!

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  7. I was going to make those little pies you made..but i think I'll make this for J ..Yumyum..
    Thank you:) Comme Toujours~

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  8. A LOVELY looking Autumn treat and so light too. I am with you on the life is for living sentiment, and go on, have it with cream later on Marie!
    Karen

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  9. I love almond cakes so I'm sure I'd find this pretty difficult to resist! Looks like a delicious bake to bridge the change of summer into autumn.

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  10. This looks just fantastic. I recently made frangipane for the first time and now I'm in love with almond cakes. I can't wait to try this.

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