Ginger & Marcona Almond Coffee Cake
From: Fine Cooking Magazine
Ingredients
1
tablespoon
softened unsalted butter
For the streusel topping:
2
ounces
(4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3
ounces
(2/3 cup) all-purpose flour
1/4
cup
coarsely chopped salted Marcona almonds
2
tablespoons
granulated sugar
2
tablespoons
light brown sugar
1/2
teaspoon
ground ginger
1/4
teaspoon
baking powder
1/4
teaspoon
table salt
For the filling:
3/4
cup
coarsely chopped salted Marcona almonds
3
tablespoons
granulated sugar
3
tablespoons
light brown sugar
1/8
teaspoon
freshly ground nutmeg
1/2
cup
very finely chopped crystallized ginger
For the cake:
11-1/4
ounces
(3 cups) sifted cake flour
1-1/2
teaspoons
baking powder
1
teaspoon
baking soda
3/4
teaspoon
table salt
10
ounces
(1-1/4 cups) unsalted butter, slightly softened
11-1/2
ounces
(1-2/3 cups) superfine sugar
4
large eggs
2
teaspoons
pure vanilla extract
16
ounces
(2 cups) sour cream
Directions
Preheat:
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degree F (325 degree F if using a dark nonstick pan). Generously butter a 10-inch tube pan with a removable bottom.
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degree F (325 degree F if using a dark nonstick pan). Generously butter a 10-inch tube pan with a removable bottom.
Make the topping:
In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until almost melted. Remove from the heat and cool to tepid. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, almonds, both sugars, ginger, baking powder, and salt and stir with a fork. Add the flour mixture to the butter and stir until evenly moistened and crumbly.
In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until almost melted. Remove from the heat and cool to tepid. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, almonds, both sugars, ginger, baking powder, and salt and stir with a fork. Add the flour mixture to the butter and stir until evenly moistened and crumbly.
Make the filling:
In a food processor, pulse the almonds, both sugars, and nutmeg until the almonds are finely ground, 10 to 12 Pulses. Empty the mixture into a medium bowl and mix in the crystallized ginger.
In a food processor, pulse the almonds, both sugars, and nutmeg until the almonds are finely ground, 10 to 12 Pulses. Empty the mixture into a medium bowl and mix in the crystallized ginger.
Make the cake:
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sugar slowly, beating until combined. Scrape the bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time, blending each one completely before adding the next. Scrape the bowl and blend in the vanilla. On low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the sour cream, adding the flour in four parts and the sour cream in three parts, beginning and ending with the flour, and scraping the bowl as needed.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sugar slowly, beating until combined. Scrape the bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time, blending each one completely before adding the next. Scrape the bowl and blend in the vanilla. On low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the sour cream, adding the flour in four parts and the sour cream in three parts, beginning and ending with the flour, and scraping the bowl as needed.
Layer and marble the batter and filling:
Spoon 2 generous cups of the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth with the back of a soupspoon, spreading the batter to the side of the pan first and then to the center. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of the filling evenly over the batter. Cover the filling with about 2 cups of batter, dropping dollops around the pan and smoothing with the spoon. Sprinkle another 1/2 cup filling evenly over the batter and cover with 2 more cups batter. Layer on the remaining filling and then the remaining batter. (You'll have four layers of batter and three layers of filling.) Insert a table knife 1 inch from the side of the pan straight into the batter going almost to the bottom. Run the knife around the pan two times, without lifting up the blade, spacing the circles about 1 inch apart. Smooth the top with the back of the soupspoon.
Spoon 2 generous cups of the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth with the back of a soupspoon, spreading the batter to the side of the pan first and then to the center. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of the filling evenly over the batter. Cover the filling with about 2 cups of batter, dropping dollops around the pan and smoothing with the spoon. Sprinkle another 1/2 cup filling evenly over the batter and cover with 2 more cups batter. Layer on the remaining filling and then the remaining batter. (You'll have four layers of batter and three layers of filling.) Insert a table knife 1 inch from the side of the pan straight into the batter going almost to the bottom. Run the knife around the pan two times, without lifting up the blade, spacing the circles about 1 inch apart. Smooth the top with the back of the soupspoon.
Top and bake the cake:
Take a handful of the streusel crumbs and squeeze firmly to form a large mass. Break up the mass into smaller clumps, distributing the streusel evenly over the batter. Repeat with the remaining streusel. Press the streusel lightly into the surface of the cake. Bake until the top of the cake is golden brown, the sides are beginning to pull away from the pan, and a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 70 to 75 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least an hour before removing from the pan.
Take a handful of the streusel crumbs and squeeze firmly to form a large mass. Break up the mass into smaller clumps, distributing the streusel evenly over the batter. Repeat with the remaining streusel. Press the streusel lightly into the surface of the cake. Bake until the top of the cake is golden brown, the sides are beginning to pull away from the pan, and a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 70 to 75 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least an hour before removing from the pan.
Make Ahead Tip: This cake keeps at room temperature, well wrapped or under a cake dome, for up to 5 days; you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Recommended Recipe:
Layered Taco Salad
For a spicier version of this pretty, tiered salad, use Monterey Jack cheese with peppers.
See RecipeMore Great Recipe Ideas from Fine Cooking Magazine
- Cocktail Party Menu Maker - customize cocktails and snacks for your party with this app.
- 100s of Cocktails, Appetizers and Snack recipes.
- Delicious Beef Tenderloin recipe
- Subscribe to Fine Cooking and Save up to 45%
- Start Your 14-day Free Trial to Cook's Club









