S
picesbringwarmthtodessertsandbakedsweets,as
muchastheydosavourydishes.TheFrenchhave
theirquatreépices,whichusesa blendofcinnamon
(pepperforthesavouryversion),nutmeg,clovesand
allspice.Cardamomandfenugreekbringwonderfulfragrance
toMiddleEasterncooking,andtherearea millionvariations
ofgingerbread,liketheDutchclassicspeculaas.Tocelebrate
theclassicmarriageofsugarandspice, thissimplealmond
cakecanbeinfusedwitha blendofspices,including
cardamom, allspice and cinnamon.Plus, it’s gluten-free.Candiedorange to decorate
Thinlysliceanorangeandplaceslicesina saucepan.Cover
with150gmcastersugarand150mlwater,alongwithonesplit
andscrapedvanillabeanandbringtoa simmerovermedium
heat.Reduceheattolowandsimmeruntilorangeis candied
(30minutes).Setasidetocool,thenrefrigerate until required.
Yoghurt-creamto ice
To makea yoghurt-creamicing,whisk150gmmascarpone,
150gmthickpot-setGreekyoghurt(strainwhey)and35gm
sievedicingsugaruntilsmoothanddollop-thick.Foldthrough
the scraped seeds from 1 vanilla bean.Refrigerate until required.Masterclass
PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN PAUL URIZAR. STYLING LYNSEY FRYERS. FOOD PREP LISA FEATHERBY.
Step bystep
TIPThiscakeis besteatenonthedayofmaking,especiallyif it’snoticed.When iced,
it can be refrigerated for up to one week, stored in an airtight container.1
Dryroastwholespices(1 cinnamon
quill,seedsfrom 20 cardamom
podsand 12 allspiceberries)ina
fryingpanovermediumheatuntil
fragrant(2minutes),thenfinelygrind
ina mortarandpestle.If youwantto
usegroundspices,youcanskipthis
step(use11/2tspgroundcinnamon,and
1 tspeach cardamom and allspice).2
Preheatovento180°Cand
greaseandlinea 20cmround
caketin with baking paper.3
Beat150gmsoftenedbutter,
80gmdemerarasugar,2 tbsp
honey,spicesanda pinchofsaltin
anelectric mixer until light and fluffy.4
Add3 smalleggs,oneata time,
beatingbetween additions until
justcombined.5
Stirthrough350gmfinelyground
blanchedalmonds,1 tspbaking
powderand60ml(1/4cup)buttermilk,
thenspreadmixtureintotinandbake
untila skewercomesoutclean
(40-45minutes).Standcakeintin
for5 minutes,thenturnonto a wire
racktocool completely.6
Servecakesimplydustedwith
icingsugarordrizzlewitha few
spoonfulsoforangesyrup(see
above)andspreadwithyoghurt
icing(seeabove),scatterwith
pistachio nuts and serve.●1
5
GOURMET TRAVELLER 494
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