Ingredients
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 2 teaspoons almond extract
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup ground almonds
– 1/2 cup sliced almonds, for topping (optional)
Equipment Needed
– 9×5 inch loaf pan
– Mixing bowls
– Electric mixer or whisk
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Rubber spatula
– Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease my loaf pan. It’s important to get the oven nice and hot to ensure the cake rises beautifully. In a large mixing bowl, I cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the mixture, which helps create a lovely texture. Once that’s achieved, I add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the almond extract for that lovely nutty scent.(See the next page below to continue steps…)