Bready or Not Original: Apple-Almond Olive Oil Cake
This stunning cake is fairly straightforward to make, and wow, is it gorgeous to behold!
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: almond, apple, cake, lemon, springform pan
Author: Beth Cato
Equipment
9-inch springform pan
parchment paper
Ingredients
2large eggs room temperature
1cupwhite sugar
1/2cupextra-virgin olive oil
2/3cupalmond flour sifted to remove clumps
1/3cuphalf & half or milk
1lemon zested and juiced
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1/4teaspoonalmond extract
1 1/3cupall-purpose flour
1 1/2teaspoonsbaking powder
3/4teaspoonkosher salt
1large Pink Lady apple or other firm baking apple
1/2cupsliced almonds
Instructions
Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Cut parchment paper to fit the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Apply nonstick spray to pan; place parchment round inside, then spray to coat that as well.
In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. whip the eggs at high speed until they are foamy, about a minute. Reduce the speed to medium to add the white sugar. Continue to beat until it becomes thick and pale, about 2 minutes.
With the mixer going, pour in olive oil. Pause to scrape sides of bowl. Add the almond flour, half & half, all of the lemon zest, and both extracts, mixing until combined.
In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the moist mix. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Prep the apple. Core it, leaving the peel intact. Cut into thin slices of equal size. Pour reserved lemon juice over the apples, tossing them to coat.
Place apple slices on top of batter in fanned-out groups of about five, having them face different angles all around the top. NOTE: as the batter is very sticky, the apples will be nigh impossible to move after they are placed, so make careful decisions. Sprinkle the sliced almonds around the edges and in the gaps between the apples.
Bake for about 50 minutes, until the middle passes the toothpick test. Set on rack for 15 minutes before removing the ring from the pan. Serve warm, or cool completely, keeping the cake on the round base. When slicing the cake, be aware that the peel is pretty but may resist the blade--it's easier to snip through with a pair of kitchen shears.
Cake can be sliced and frozen for later, but it will taste best at room temperature or warmed.