This is a fancy bundt cake that looks and tastes fancy. Perfect for the holiday season or any time of year you want to go all-out on a bundt cake! Modified a lot from Bake from Scratch Magazine Nov/Dec 2018.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: almond, bundt cake, cake, chocolate
Author: Beth Cato
Equipment
10-cup bundt pan or larger
Ingredients
Frangipane
1cupalmond flour sifted
1/2cupwhite sugar
1/2cupunsalted butter (1 stick) melted and cooled
1large egg room temperature
1Tablespoonall-purpose flour
1teaspoonalmond extract
Bundt Cake
1/2cupunsalted butter (1 stick) plus more for pan
2cupswhole buttermilk or soured milk*
2large eggs room temperature
1Tablespooninstant espresso powder
1teaspoonalmond extract
1teaspoonvanilla extract
2cupswhite sugar
2cupsall-purpose flour
3/4cupDutch process cocoa powder sifted, plus more to dust pan
2teaspoonsbaking soda
1teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoonbaking powder
Frosting
1 1/2cupsconfectioners' sugar
1/2teaspoonalmond extract
3Tablespoonhalf & half or heavy cream
sliced almonds
Instructions
First of all, make the frangipane. In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients until a smooth paste forms. This can be made a day or hours ahead of the cake assembly; if it is made ahead, press plastic wrap to directly cover the frangipane and refrigerate until it is used.
Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Generously grease interior surface of a 10-cup bundt pan with butter, then sift extra cocoa powder to coat it as much as possible. Rotate pan to distribute cocoa powder, tapping out excess if necessary.
Melt butter in microwave or on stovetop and let it cool a few minutes. Pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Add the buttermilk, eggs, espresso powder, almond extract, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
In a separate large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Switch from the whisk to the paddle attachment. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just smooth.
Pour half the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Dollop the frangipane over the batter and smooth out, if possible. Top with remaining cake batter and smooth it again.
Bake until the middle passes the toothpick test, about 55 to 60 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Let pan cool for about 20 minutes and then carefully invert it onto a rack to completely cool. Bits might stick to the pan; if so, pry them out and try to patch the cake. Remember that frosting will help mask any damage.
Once the cake is room temperature, make the frosting. Beat the confectioners' sugar, almond extract, and half & half together to together to form a thick consistency, then drizzle over the cake. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
Cake will be moister on the first day but keeps fairly well for a few days. Slices can also be individually wrapped and frozen for later.
OM NOM NOM!
Notes
To make soured milk, pour about 1 Tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Add half & half or cream to reach the 2-cups line. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes; it should start to curdle. Use entire contents in recipe.