Apple and Almond Paste Cake

Hello people,

I am sorry for the short Christmas break, even my mum asked me why I didn't blog these days. I was here, but had many things swirling in my head and to do.
But I'm back with a recipe, I baked so much these days!



Where did I find the recipe for this soft, fruity cake?
I opened my favorite cookbook! Leila Lindholm's "A Piece of Cake".
I found a recipe for Apple and Almond paste Rings.
I haven't got any ring mould, but that's ok, no ring for us, just a normal yummy cake.

Ingredients.
(Adapted from Leila Lindholm's "A Piece of Cake")

Yields: 2 cakes (I used one half of the recipe)

For the dough:

• 1 tbsp black cardamom seeds, crushed (I used fennel)
  
• 300 ml milk
• 50 g fresh yeast
• 120 g sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 150 g butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 660-720 g all-purpose flour

For the filling:

• 200 g butter, softened
• 80 g brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 200 g almond paste (see recipe for this below).
  
• 2 apples

For the topping:

• 1 egg
• flaked almonds

How can I make almond paste? You'd never thik I'd be so easy!!
(for 500g)
250 g almonds
225 g sugar

Boil the almonds for 5 minutes.
Blend the almonds until they're reduced to powder.
Add the sugar and mix for 5-7 minutes until a thick paste is formed.

Directions.


Crumble the yeast in the lukewarm milk. Add the crushed cardamom (I used fennel) , sugar, salt, butter and egg.
Slowly add the flour and mix until a soft dough is formed.
Cover with a dishcloth and allow to rise for 45-60 minutes until it has doubled.
(This is the dough for the classic swedish sweet bread (yummy!) )

In another bowl mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and almond paste until it's creamy.
Divide the dough in two parts. Flatten one part with a rolling pin to form a disk that can easily cover the baking pan.
Butter tha baking pan and lay the dough disk in it.
Fill with the filling.
Rasp the apples and spred one apple in each baking pan.
Roll out the other dough disk (like the other one) and lay it on the cake.
Fold the dough endings.
Allow to rise for one hour.
Preheat the oven at 175°C (350 F).
Spread the whisked egg on the cake and add the flaked almonds (I forgot).
Bake for 20 minutes.
Allow to cook before pulling the cake out of the baking pan.


I can assure you it's a success. Especially with the cute Christmas tree Roberto cut out of the remaining dough.

Have a nice evening you all,
what did you bake for Christmas?

Juliette