ALMOND PRALINE
Use this recipe to top our Apple Praline Tart.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Yield Makes one 10-by-15-inch sheet
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place almonds on a baking sheet, and toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.
- Butter a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet. Spread toasted almonds in an even layer on pan. Place sugar and water in a medium saucepan; stir to combine. Place over medium-high heat; bring to a boil, brushing down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming. Once sugar is dissolved, cook without stirring until sugar is deep amber. Add lemon juice; immediately pour over almonds, coating with a thin layer. If caramel doesn't cover all the nuts, tilt pan slightly to distribute, or stir in nuts with a wooden spoon, being careful not to touch caramel or hot pan. Cool completely. Gently twist pan to release praline. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MASCARPONE AND PRALINE
Steps:
- Make praline:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a baking pan toast nuts in one layer in middle of oven 10 minutes, or until almonds are lightly colored and hazelnut skins are blistered. Wrap nuts in a kitchen towel and let steam 1 minute. Rub nuts in towel to remove any loose hazelnut skins (do not worry about skins that do not come off) and cool completely.
- Line a baking sheet with foil. In a small heavy saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals that cling to side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until it begins to turn golden. Swirl pan until syrup is deep golden and remove from heat. Stir in nuts and pour praline onto baking sheet, spreading evenly. Cool praline completely and break into pieces. Transfer praline to a sealable plastic bag and with a rolling pin coarsely crush.
- Make cake:
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Generously butter a 9-inch round cake pan (at least 2 inches deep) and line bottom with wax or parchment paper. Butter paper and dust pan with flour, knocking out excess.
- Finely chop chocolate. In a small saucepan combine cocoa powder, butter, oil, and water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until smooth, and remove pan from heat. Add chocolate and sugar, whisking until smooth, and transfer to a bowl. Cool chocolate mixture completely and whisk in egg. Sift flour and baking powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined. Whisk in buttermilk and pour batter into cake pan, spreading evenly. Bake cake in middle of oven 45 to 50 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean, and cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes. Run a thin knife around edge of pan and invert cake onto rack. Discard paper. Cool cake completely and transfer to a plate. In a bowl stir together mascarpone and sugar. Spread mixture over top of cake and generously sprinkle with praline.
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Almond praline cake is a delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of almonds and caramelized sugar. It's then topped with a creamy mascarpone frosting and a layer of chocolate bark. This cake is perfect for special occasions or as a sweet treat to enjoy at any time.
Preparation of Almond Praline Cake
Almond Praline Cake is a simple cake that is easy to make. Here are the basic steps involved in preparing a delicious Almond Praline Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar using a stand mixer or hand-held mixer until light and fluffy, then add in 2 eggs and mix until well combined.
- Add almond extract, milk, and the flour mixture to the bowl and mix until a smooth batter forms.
- Spread the batter evenly into the cake pan and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pan.
Preparation of Almond Praline
The almond praline is the perfect topping for the almond praline cake. Follow these steps to prepare the praline:
- In a saucepan, melt 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup slivered almonds over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar caramelizes and turns golden brown.
- Remove from heat and pour the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Allow the praline to cool completely before breaking it into small pieces and sprinkling it over the cake.
Preparation of Mascarpone Frosting
The mascarpone frosting is creamy, sweet, and a perfect contrast to the sweet almond praline. Here are the basic steps to prepare the frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat together 1 cup mascarpone cheese, 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, and 2 cups confectioners' sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and airy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled almond praline cake.
Preparation of the Chocolate Bark
The chocolate bark gives the cake a delightful crunch and a touch of chocolatey goodness. Here's how to prepare the chocolate bark:
- Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave.
- Spread the melted chocolate onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and use a spatula to smooth the chocolate into an even layer.
- Refrigerate the chocolate until firm, then carefully break it into small pieces.
- Sprinkle the chocolate bark over the top of the frosting.
Conclusion
The almond praline cake with mascarpone frosting and chocolate bark is a perfect dessert for any occasion. It’s a great option for those who love the combination of creamy and crunchy textures with almonds and chocolate. This cake is simple to make and it's sure to impress your family and friends. So, next time you're looking for a dessert that's both easy and delicious, give this recipe a try!
Tip 1: Use High-Quality Ingredients and Equipment
The first tip when making an almond praline cake with mascarpone frosting and chocolate bark is to use high-quality ingredients and equipment. The quality of the ingredients and equipment will greatly influence the final outcome of the cake. When shopping for ingredients, ensure that you buy fresh, high-quality ingredients from a trusted supplier. Also, use the right baking equipment such as high-quality baking pans, measuring cups, and spoons.Tip 2: Read the Recipe Carefully
Before you start making the almond praline cake with mascarpone frosting and chocolate bark, it is essential to read the recipe carefully. Take time to understand the recipe, measurements, timings, and methods. Familiarize yourself with the ingredients and equipment needed for the recipe. This will help you avoid mistakes and ensure that your cake turns out perfectly.Tip 3: Measure Accurately
Measuring ingredients accurately is vital when making an almond praline cake with mascarpone frosting and chocolate bark. Too much of one ingredient or too little of another can affect the texture, taste, and appearance of the cake. To ensure accuracy, use a digital scale to weigh dry ingredients such as flour, sugar, and almond flour. Similarly, use a measuring jug for liquid ingredients such as milk and buttermilk.Tip 4: Toast the Almonds and Make the Praline Topping
Toasting almonds is an easy way to enhance their flavor and texture. To toast the almonds for the almond praline cake with mascarpone frosting, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and spread the almonds on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes until fragrant and golden brown. Let the almonds cool and then chop them into small pieces. To make the praline topping, melt sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar turns into caramel. Add the toasted almonds and pour the mixture onto a baking sheet. Once it has cooled, break the praline into small pieces.Tip 5: Bake the Cake Layers Perfectly
Baking the cake layers for this recipe can be a bit challenging. To ensure that you get perfect cake layers, follow these tips:- Preheat the oven to the correct temperature before baking
- Ensure that the oven is at the correct temperature before putting the cake in
- Set an accurate timer for the baking time
- Do not open the oven door during baking as this can cause the cake to sink
- Test the cake for doneness using a toothpick or cake tester. The cake should be slightly springy to the touch and the tester should come out clean.