Fyrstekake (Prince Cake)

Ingredients

• 1 cup blanched almond
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup egg white, unbeaten
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups sifted flour
• 1/3 cup raspberry jam (optional)
• almond paste

Directions

1. 1

   Using a very fine blade of food chopped, grind almonds 3 times. Blend with powdered sugar, unbeaten egg whites, 1 egg, 1/4 cup butter and almond extract. Refrigerate this mixture.

2. 2

   In small bowl, with electric mixer on medium, mix 1/2 cup butter with granulated sugar and 1 egg. Fold in flour, refrigerate this dough 15 minutes.

3. 3

   On lightly floured wax paper, roll 2/3 of dough into 11 inch circle, 1/8 inch thick. Place dough side in 9 inch layer cake pan. Carefully pull off paper. Fit in pan; patch if needed to make the top even.

4. 4

   Spread jam, then almond paste over dough on pan bottom. Roll reserved third of dough into rectangle 1/8 inch thick.

5. 5

   With pastry wheel, cut 6- 8x3/4 inch strips. Lay 3 strips, 1 1/4 inch apart, over almond paste; lay rest at right angles.

6. 6

   Re-roll pastry trimmings; cut 5- 5x3/4 inch strips. Place, end to end, against inside edge of pan; with pastry wheel, trim even with top of cake.

7. 7

   Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, cool in pan.

8. 8

   With spatula, carefully lift out cake. Cut into wedges and serve.