Almond Torte

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• nonstick cooking spray (i use spectrum canola spray)
• 1 3/4 cups sliced blanched almonds
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 4 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 325°. cut a piece of wax or parchment paper to fit the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan. coat pan with nonstick spray, place prepared paper round in bottom of pan, and spray paper. sprinkle evenly with ¼ cup almonds.
• 2 in a food processor, process remaining 1 ½ cups almonds with ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar until finely ground; set aside.
• 3 in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form. gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar and beat until stiff glossy peaks form. beat in almond extract. in three additions, gently fold in ground almond mixture.
• 4 evenly spread batter into prepared pan, tapping pan on counter to expel large air bubbles. bake until golden brown and firm in center, 40 to 45 minutes; cool completely in pan. invert onto serving plate, and remove wax or parchment paper.