Recipe for cooking almond sponge cake

Desserts to Go with Coffee and Tea :: Sponge Cakes

Almond Sponge Cake (Torta de Cielo)

This is called literally "cake of heaven."

1/2 lb. almonds
Hot water to cover almonds
5 eggs, separated
2 pin.es of salt
1/2 lb. sugar
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. brandy
1/8 tsp. almond extract or flavoring

Pour hot water over the almonds so that they are well covered and let them soak for at least 6 hours.

Line the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan with parchment paper. Butter the paper and sides of the pan well, then dust with flour.

Position oven rack to the middle. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Chop the nuts and grind them a little at a time. They should not be too coarse or too fine. Set aside.

Beat egg whites until fluffy. Add salt and continue beating until whites are stiff. Add yolks, one at a time, and continue beating until they are incorporated.

Mix the dry ingredients together and, beating at low speed of an electric mixer, gradually add them to the eggs. Add the brandy and almond extract or flavoring, mix well, then pour the batter into the greased pan.

Bake for 1 1/4 hours. Remove the cake from the pan after it is cold. This cake keeps indefinitely if stored in a cool, dry place. Do not store it in the refrigerator.