Author Notes
I'm not a fan of real sweet desserts, although now and then a little chocolate or ice cream is extremely tempting. This little cake pairs butter, vanilla, macadamia nuts and whipping cream for a satisfying treat. —inpatskitchen
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Ingredients
- For the cake
-
1 cup
macadamia nuts (reserve 4 tablespoons of chopped nuts for topping the cake)
-
1 1/2
cups AP flour
-
2 teaspoons
baking powder
-
4
room temperature eggs
-
1 cup
granulated sugar
-
12 tablespoons
unsalted butter
-
2 tablespoons
light cream
-
1 tablespoon
pure vanilla extract
- For the whipped cream topping and putting it all together.
-
8 ounces
mascarpone cheese
-
1/2 cup
powdered sugar
-
2 tablespoons
vanilla extract
-
8 ounces
whipping cream
-
The cooled cake
-
The 4 tablespoons of reserved macadamia nuts
-
Milk chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)
Directions
- For the cake
-
Place the macadamia nuts on a baking sheet and lightly toast in a pre heated 325F oven for about 8 minutes. Cool and grind.
-
In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs and then add the sugar and baking powder. With an electric mixer, beat this mixture for at least 10 minutes. The mixture needs to be very pale and thick.
-
In a small pan, gently melt the butter and off the heat, stir in the cream and vanilla extract.
-
Stir in the flour, a little at a time, alternating with the butter mixture into the egg/sugar mixture until well combined. Stir in all but 4 tablespoons of the nuts. (they'll be reserved for garnish later)
-
Line a 10 inch spring form pan with parchment paper and spray the parchment and the sides of the pan with cooking spray.
-
Pour the batter into the pan and bake in a pre heated 375F oven for 30 minutes or until that toothpick comes out clean. Out of the oven, let the cake cool thoroughly.
- For the whipped cream topping and putting it all together.
-
With an electric mixer or electric wire whip, start mixing the mascarpone, vanilla and powdered sugar. Slowly add the whipping cream while mixing until everything comes together.
-
Remove the cooled cake from the pan (along with the parchment - it should peel right off) and place on a plate. Spread topping all over the cake. It may seem like a lot but use it all. Scatter the reserved nuts and chocolate shavings (if using) over the top of the cake. Serve chilled.
I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining.
My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!
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