Ingredients:
4 ounces almonds, toasted
1/2 cup sugar, plus
2 tablespoons sugar, divided
1/3 cup unbleached white flour
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
powdered sugar
1 tablespoon slivered almonds, toasted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9″ round cake pan.
Place almonds in a small baking dish and place in oven until lightly toasted.
Place toasted almonds and 2 T sugar in a food processor or blender. Grind to a powder in a few short bursts.
Stir in flour and set aside.
Combine Butter with remaining 1/2 cup Sugar, Extracts, and Salt in a medium size bowl.
Beat with mixer until creamy.
Add one egg at a time, beating well after each.
Using a spatula and a light hand, gently fold in the almond flour mixture.
Pour into prepared cake pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until it is golden and top springs back when lightly touched.
Let cool for 30 minutes, then remove cake from pan and transfer to cake plate, then cool completely.
In microwave on LOW power, melt chocolate chips.
Sift a little powder sugar over top of cake, sprinkle with remaining toasted almonds and then drizzle the chocolate over top in a lacey pattern. Let chocolate harden before serving.
Servings: Serve
Time preparation: 15 min.
Time total: 95 min.