ALMOND CAKE WITH CARDAMOM AND PISTACHIO

Almond Cake With Cardamom and Pistachio image

This moist and springy Persian almond cake is generously spiced with ground cardamom (two full teaspoons). We like it with fresh berries. If you want to serve it for Passover, be sure to use kosher for Passover confectioners' sugar; you could also use a tablespoon of matzo meal in place of the tablespoon of almond flour, but the cake is delicious without it.

Provided by Joan Nathan

Time 1h30m

Yield One 9-inch cake (10 to 12 servings)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus additional for pan
7 large eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon almond extract
4 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon/420 grams almond flour (see tip)
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 to 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, for dusting
3 to 4 tablespoons finely chopped pistachio nuts, for garnish

Steps:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 9-inch round or square pan and set aside. Using a stand mixer, whisk egg whites until stiff but not dry, and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar, and whisk to blend. Whisk in almond extract and oil. Add almond flour and cardamom. Gently stir a third of the whites into the batter, then gently fold in the rest until just incorporated.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and finish cooling on a rack. To decorate, dust with confectioners' sugar and chopped pistachios.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 644, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 32 grams, Fat 51 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 21 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 43 milligrams, Sugar 20 grams, TransFat 0 grams