Norwegian Prince's Cake (Fyrstekake)

By norsegal8

Almond-filled butter pastry characterizes cakes that are in some way royal.

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon butter, firm, but not hard
• 1 egg
• 1 cup unblanched almonds
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 egg whites

Preparation

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, or in a food processor with the steel blade in place, combine the flour, baking powder and sugar. Slice the butter and add to the flour mixture. Cut in using a pastry blender or on/off pulses from the food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat in the egg and mix until a dough forms. Gather the dough into a dough and chill.

To prepare the filling, pulverize the almonds in the food processor. Blend in the powdered sugar and egg whites until the mixture makes a firm dough. Wrap and chill.

Press 2/3 of the chilled dough into a 9-inch ungreased cake pan, covering the bottom and build up the sides of the pan to about 1 inch. Spread the almond filling mixture over the dough.

On a floured board, roll out the remaining dough out to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 1/2-inch strips. Crisscross the strips over the filling, fastening them to the edges of the cake. The strips may break, but, never mind, they will bake together and look fine. If you have dough scraps, roll into a thin strip and fasten around the top edge of the cake. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, cut into thin wedges and serve.