Santiago cake recipe appeared in the Middle Ages and got its name in honor of Saint James – the patron saint of Spain. Due to the high cost of almonds, only a few could afford this cake. However, nowadays the situation has changed completely: you can try Spanish almond cake in any part of Spain or make it at home with your own hands.
Ingredients
- Chicken eggs — 5
- Sugar — 250 g.
- Lemon — 1
- Ground cinnamon — 1/2 tsp.
- Almond flour — 300 g.
- Butter — 5 g.
- Powdered sugar — 2 tbs.
How to make Santiago cake (recipe instruction)
Step 1. Use a mixer to beat the eggs with sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the lemon zest, cinnamon, and almond flour to the mixture, and gently mix until smooth.
Step 2. Grease a round baking pan (19-20 cm diameter) with butter, and place a circle cut out of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the surface using a spoon or spatula. Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30 minutes, and check the readiness using a wooden skewer or toothpick.
Step 3. Once the cake has cooled down, remove it from the pan and transfer it to a serving plate. Decorate the cake with powdered sugar using a cut-out stencil. It is best to serve the finished “Santiago” cake completely cooled. Despite its unremarkable appearance, this cake will pleasantly surprise you with its taste. Thanks to the use of almond flour, the cake has a fluffy texture and a rich nutty flavor, complemented by citrus and spicy notes.
Santiago cake’s tips
- In order to achieve the perfect Santiago cake, there are a few key considerations that must be kept in mind. First and foremost, it is absolutely essential to use only the highest quality ingredients available. This is especially true when it comes to the almonds, as the flavor of the cake will be heavily influenced by the quality of the almond flour used.
- Another important factor to consider is the use of a fine grater to remove the zest from the lemon. By doing so, you can ensure that the flavor is evenly distributed throughout the cake, resulting in a more well-rounded and satisfying taste experience.
- When it comes to mixing the batter, it is imperative that you proceed with a gentle touch. Overmixing can easily result in a dense and heavy cake that is less than ideal. Therefore, it is important to take your time and approach the task with care and precision.
- To ensure that the cake is fully baked, it is recommended that you insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the center of the cake. This will allow you to gauge the cake’s progress and determine whether or not it is ready to be taken out of the oven.
- Once the cake has finished baking, it is absolutely essential that you allow it to cool completely before attempting to remove it from the pan. Failure to do so could result in the cake breaking or sticking to the pan, which would be a major disappointment.
- For those looking to add a special touch to their Santiago cake, decorating it with a stencil and powdered sugar can be a great way to do so. By using a cookie cutter or other stencil, you can create a unique and visually appealing design on top of the cake that will truly impress your guests.
- Finally, for those looking to add some extra flavor to their cake, adding a splash of rum or sherry to the batter can be a great way to do so. This will give the cake an added depth and complexity that is sure to delight the taste buds.
Overall, by following these tips and taking the time to perfect your technique, you can create a delicious and visually stunning Santiago cake that is sure to be a hit with all of your friends and family. So go ahead and give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!
