Swedish Visiting Cake Recipes

SWEDISH ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Center a rack in the oven, and heat it to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan (using solid, unmelted butter), and dust the interior with flour; tap out the excess. Place the pan on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• Working with a mixer (use a paddle attachment, if you have one), beat the sugar and eggs together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, and gradually add the melted butter, followed by the milk and vanilla. (I like to pour the ingredients down the side of the bowl as the mixer is working.) Mix until the batter is smooth; it will have a lovely sheen. Decrease the speed to low, and gradually add the dry ingredients. When the flour mixture is almost fully incorporated, finish blending by stirring with a spatula. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
• Slide the cake into the oven, and set your timer for 30 minutes.
• As soon as the timer dings, start the topping (leaving the cake in the oven): In a medium saucepan, mix together all the topping ingredients. Place over medium-high heat and, stirring constantly, cook until you see a couple of bubbles around the edges. Lower the heat to medium, and cook, stirring nonstop, for 3 minutes. The mixture will thicken a little, and your spatula will leave tracks as you stir. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Immediately take the cake out of the oven (leaving the oven on), and carefully pour the topping over the cake, nudging it gently with a spatula to cover the cake completely.
• Return the cake to the oven, and bake for an additional 15 minutes (total baking time is about 50 minutes) or until the topping, which will bubble and seethe, is a beautiful golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Transfer the baking sheet to a rack, and cool for 5 minutes. Carefully work a table knife between the side of the pan and the cake, gently pushing the cake away from the side (it's a delicate job because the sticky topping isn't yet set). Remove the sides of the pan, and let the cake come to room temperature on the base. When you're ready to serve, lift the cake off the springform base and onto a platter.

~ SWEDISH VISITING CAKE ~

Steps:

• Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 inch cast iron skillet or a 9 inch cake pan or have used a pie pan. In a medium bowl, pour the sugar. Add the zest and blend the zest and sugar together with your fingertips until the sugar is moist and aromatic. Whisk in the eggs one at a time until well blended. Mix in the salt and the extracts. Stir in the flour. Fold in the melted butter. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Evenly sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top and sprinkle evenly with sugar. If you're using a cake or pie pan, place the pan on a baking sheet. Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it is golden and a little crisp on the outside. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cake cool for 5 minutes, can run a thin knife around the sides and bottom of the cake to loosen it, or serve straight from the skillet. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar if desired. Enjoy!