Toscakaka or Swedish Caramel Almond Cake

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I love Scandinavian baking and have several Scandi baking books, but to honest, I've never baked from them. Reading an article recently on this type of baking, I thought I must use my books, so decided to make a caramel almond cake. I've adapted it from 'Scandilicious Baking'.

 For the cake you need; 20ml milk, 1 tspn lemon juice [or 75ml buttermilk] 75g butter, 3 eggs, 150g caster sugar, 1 tspn vanilla extract, 150g plain flour, 1 tspn baking powder and a pinch of salt.

 For the topping: 150g flaked almonds, 125g butter, 125g light brown sugar, 50ml milk and 1/2 tspn sea salt
 Preheat oven 160C/gas3                     Grease and base line a 23cm springform cake tin

 Stir the lemon juice into the milk to sour it, or use 75ml buttermilk instead. Toast the almonds till they're a light golden colour [takes about 6 mins].
Melt the butter over a low heat then pour into a bowl and allow to cool. Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla together until very thick and creamy - took about 5 mins in my stand mixer. 
Sieve the flour, baking powder and salt together then gently fold 1/3rd into the batter with a metal spoon. Gently pour half the milk into this and fold in. Fold in another 1/3rd of flour, the rest of the milk and then the rest of the flour. Drizzle in half the butter, fold in, then the other half. Scrape the bottom of the bowl gently to get all the flour.
Scoop into the tin and bake for 25-30 mins till golden and firm.
While it's in the oven, make the topping. Put the butter, sugar, milk and salt into the pan and stir till butter melts. Keep over low heat for a few mins to thicken then stir in the almonds.
When the cake is cooked, turn the oven up to 200C/gas6.
Spread the almond mixture over the cake, then put back in the oven for 8-10 mins till bubbling and darkened. Cool in the tin for 5 mins then loosen sides with a knife and put onto a rack to cool.





It's delicious, and great contrast of texture between the soft cake and the crunchy topping. We ate it cold, but could be a dessert with some cream or ice cream. A bit of a faff to make the cake, but the result is worth it!

Comments

Jeff the Chef said…
Oh my, that cake looks so good. I'd love to make it in cupcake form.
13/11/19 6:11 am
Snowy said…
Interesting idea, Jeff. Maybe one to try!
16/11/19 1:37 am
Phil in the Kitchen said…
That's a bit different and it sounds very good. I've only come across one or two Scandinavian style cakes in the past but you've reminded me that I've got a few Scandinavian cookbooks that I've not really used much. I must find them as soon as I've solved a few crimes while wearing a large jumper and looking moody.
18/11/19 3:24 pm
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