Poudre Douce Almond Cake : World Spice Merchants

Poudre Douce Almond Cake

Poudre Douce, or "sweet powder," is a delightfully simple mix of sugar and spice handed down from Medieval and Renaissance cookery. This almond cake is a perfect way to try it. Combined with the marzipan, the Poudre Douce creates a mouthwatering aroma. The texture of this cake is fluffy, light and buttery with chewy edges. You can enjoy the cake simply for the texture and spicing or garnish it with fresh stone fruit, berries or cream.

Want a gluten free option? No problem! Use an all purpose gluten free flour and the cake will transform from a fluffier cake into a blondie like consistency. Equally delicious.

Ingredients

1 cup room butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
6 ounces almond paste
4 eggs
1 teaspoon

Vanilla Paste - Heilala

Vanilla Paste - Heilala

Heilala Vanilla Paste combines real vanilla bean seeds with pure vanilla extract to make a paste that adds both concentrated vanilla flavor and a speckled visual to all your recipes....
1 teaspoon

Diamond Crystal - Kosher Salt

Diamond Crystal - Kosher Salt

Diamond Crystal is our go-to all purpose kosher salt. Developed in 1886 using a special process which creates a unique, hollow, multi-faceted crystals, this all-purpose salt is free ...
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon

Poudre Douce

Poudre Douce

Poudre Douce literally translates to mean "sweet powder." This medieval blend is a less pungent version of its counterpart Poudre Forte, or "strong powder," since it drops the pepper...
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix softened butter and sugar until creamed, then mix in the almond paste.

Slowly add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Don't be in a hurry to add all of the eggs at once! This step adds air to the batter which is what gives the cake its amazing texture.

Once batter is smooth, add in the vanilla, salt, baking powder and Poudre Douce. Then add in flour, mixing well and scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go.

Line a quarter sheet pan (9x13 inches) with parchment paper, then spray with pan spray. Spread the cake batter evenly with a spatula and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.

Let cool, then cut into squares or triangles, and serve with whipped cream and seasonal fresh fruit.