Ingredients for 10 yields

For the cake:

• 4 Eggs whites
• Pinch Salt
• ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. (75g) Sugar
• 180-200g whole almonds or 140g ground almonds

For the cream:

• 4 Egg yolks
• ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. (75g) Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 100ml Heavy cream
• ½ cup + 1 Tbsp (130g) Butter, softened

For decoration:

• Sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Make the cake: preheat oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease two 8-inch (20cm) round cake pans with butter, line bottom with parchment paper. Grease the parchment as well, set aside.
2. In a food processor, process the almonds into fine crumbs. You also can use store bought ground almonds.
3. In a large clean bowl, place egg whites and pinch of salt. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy, then gradually add the sugar, beat until stiff peak form.
4. Gradually fold ground almonds into the meringue. Do not over fold. Divide the batter between prepared pans.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool.
6. Make the cream: in a bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar and set aside.
7. In a small saucepan bring the cream to a gentle simmer. Gradually pour hot cream into the egg yolk mixture while constantly whisking. Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan and cook until thicken, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add vanilla extract and stir, transfer the mixture into a bowl, cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour.
8. In a large bowl beat softened butter. Gradually add chilled cream and whisk until combined. Add 2-3 tablespoons at the time.
9. Place 1 cake layer on a place or a cake stand, the spread a layer of cream, then top with the second layer cake. Spread the cream on top and sides of the cake.
10. Decoration: toast almond flakes on a dry pan, allow them to cool. Then, decorate the side and top of the cake with toasted almond flakes.
11. Keep the cake in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.