Some of you know my sister Lindsey. Some of you have only read about her here and thus only know about her penchant for crust-based dishes — pies and quiches in particular — and her love for Peeps and leftovers.
Let me tell you a little bit more. Lindsey, while a wonderful cook, doesn’t quite share the enthusiasm for cooking that many of the women in my family do. She doesn’t go to bed with a full belly dreaming about what she might cook up tomorrow morning nor does she subscribe to a single cooking magazine; to her, nothing could be more boring than a tv program on cooking and a discussion about recipes might send her straight into another room; and she has been known on more than one occasion to exclaim, “Why does everything have to be such a production?!”
The older I get, I tend to agree with this last statement more and more. It’s the simplest meals with the most minimal cleanups that leave everyone the happiest.
I should also note that Lindsey is a doctor, has two children, plays in an orchestra and is far too busy to spend time toiling in the kitchen. That said, a few days ago I called her and much to my surprise discovered she had been in the kitchen whipping up an almond torte in preparation for a few visitors.
“Little Lindis!” I exclaimed. (Yes, my sister is 32, and I still call her by her childhood nickname. We also still chase each other up the stairs and shriek in fear when we get together…that’s normal, right?) “I am so impressed.”
“Oh please,” she replied. “It’s so easy. It’s the only thing I make anymore.”
My sister (and the family as a result) has been making this torte since 1997, when she discovered the recipe in my mother’s copy of Chez Panisse Desserts, which is now in my possession. Truly, this almond torte, made entirely in the food processor, is one of the simplest and most delicious desserts you could ever prepare. It’s definitely for almond/marzipan lovers and like the orange-and-olive oil cake and Teddy’s apple cake, tastes better with each passing day, so don’t be afraid to make it a day or two in advance if you’re preparing for a holiday gathering.
Dusted with powdered sugar, nothing will look more elegant on your dessert table. I hope all of your holiday preparations are going well.
I am not partial to any particular brand of almond paste, but if you can find a 7-oz box (which seems to be standard), that is ideal for this recipe:
This torte is made entirely in the food processor. First the almond paste and sugar are blended:
Then the butter and vanilla are added:
and blended:
Then the eggs are added one at time. This is what the finished batter looks like:
Chez Panisse Almond Torte
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 8 to 10
Source: Chez Panisse Desserts Author Lindsey Shere’s notes: Serve this torte with a cup of coffee or tea or a glass of Sherry, or better, an Italian Aleatico or Passito. It is also good with sliced peaches or nectarines and crème anglaise. Be sure to buy almond paste versus marzipan, which are often placed next to each other in the baking aisle. Second, the recipe in Chez Panisse Desserts calls for 8oz of almond paste, but we have always just used one of those tubes that usually weighs 7oz. If you don’t have a scale and can’t find a 7-oz tube of almond paste, measure out the 7/8 cup, but don’t pack it too tightly.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups sugar
- ? cup (7 oz./200g) soft almond paste*
- 1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp. almond extract (optional)
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup (4.5 oz/130g) flour
- 1½ tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Beat the sugar with the almond paste until the almond paste is in fine pieces. Or, better, pulverize it in a food processor. Beat in the butter and the vanilla, then cream the mixture until it is light and fluffy. Beat in the whole eggs, one at a time — the eggs should be at room temperature — beating well after each addition so the eggs are thoroughly mixed in.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt, and beat in just until thoroughly blended.
- Butter a 9-inch springform pan and turn the batter into it, smoothing the top evenly. Bake for 1 to 1¼ hours (mine baked for 1¼ hours) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the center feels springy when you push it gently.
- Let cool for about 20 minutes before releasing the sides of the springform pan.
Did you make a recipe?
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Giuseppa says
Mi e’ piaciuto molto il commento che hai fatto sulla torta e su tua sorella. La torta sara’ buonissima ma non capisco molto la ricetta, anche se hai descritto tutto molto bene.Saluti.
Will says
I made this cake a day in advance and reheated in the oven (just a few slices)- it develops a really nice “crust” so you get almost a crispy layer with soft interior that we really liked! I’d recommend trying that out if you haven’t- thanks for the great recipe!
alexandra says
So fun, Will! Love the idea of a crispy layer! Will absolutely try this the next time I make it, which will be soon — this is a family fave. Thanks for writing in!
CL says
This tasted good but I was surprised how light and fluffy it was. I was expecting something denser. Is it supposed to be light?
alexandra says
Strange! It should be on the dense side. Question: did you beat the eggs/sugar/butter a lot?
Leyna says
Looks delish! Would it be good with a chocolate ganache or sauce?
alexandra says
Yes! But it truly doesn’t need anything. You could serve the sauce on the side. Chocolate and almond is always a nice match.
Nathalie says
I’ve been raging all these comments on how it gets better with age. This is the one cake that I never had any leftovers from. I’ve made it at least a dozen times and had to steal a piece the last time so I could try it for breakfast. It smells so amazingwhile is baking a couldn’t imagine waiting too long to eat it.
alexandra says
So happy to hear this, Nathalie. You are funny sneaking a slice to save for next day 🙂 Love it. I love this one, too. xo
Stacy Mages says
Should leftovers be refrigerated?
Jan Miller says
Does anyone else but me have trouble with the middle sinking, in this cake, as it cools??? I have made the cake many times and always the same results.
The cake is truly delicious sink hole or not.
Jay Rawson says
I always have the sunken center and would fret if it weren’t for the photo accompanying the recipe. The cake shown has a sunken center.
Barb says
My daughter made an almond torte with slices of nectarines on top using a different recipe which she no longer has . It made a nice tart contrast with the almond torte. Can slices of nectarines be added to this recipe ?
alexandra says
Definitely! Food52 did a variation with pear one year, and I made it and loved it.
Rachel says
The french pastry shop by us makes the mini almond cakes, always wanted to find the recipe, so happy I found your blog, Alexandra, can’t wait to make it. I usually make this almond cake: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/almond-cake-366229 it is also very good and easy to make.
alexandra says
Ohhhh, I love a new cake recipe rec and this one looks fabulous. Thanks so much for sending. Happy Thanksgiving!
June McConachy says
This cake turned out beautifully. I had a little left over and poured them in paper cup. I baked it for 1hr 15 mins and it was perfect. The almond extract is a little strong so I will give it a miss the next time. The easiest cake ever to make and so delicious! I can wait to keep it till tomorrow. I wonder if anyone has added liquor to it or grated lemon zest? Thank you for the recipe!!
alexandra says
You know, I find almond extract to be too overpowering these days, so I often leave it out. I’ll make a note. Liquor and zest sound delicious. I say go for it!