first blooms and almond cake~

mid January had me dreaming in a blizzard of white blooms.

 

 

first to open were the dependable evergreen pears.

 

 

 

 

on my early morning walk the moon still hung high in the trees, but soon the sun sent its warming glow awash over the almond trees.

 

 

the almond blossoms had my mouth watering, I couldn't stop thinking how much I would love a slice of warm almond cake with my morning tea...

Ingredients

3/4cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

4 oz almond paste (1/3 cup)

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 eggs 

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sliced almonds

       Powdered sugar for dusting

•                                                        Heat oven to 350°F                                                           
• 
  

  In large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar and almond paste with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in almond extract and eggs until well blended. On low speed, beat in flour, baking powder and salt just until blended. Spread batter in pan; sprinkle with almonds.
• 
  
• Bake 45 minutes or until tooth-pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour. Use foil to lift cake out of pan; cut into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.