Dorie Greenspan's Swedish Fika Cake

 



I like that this cake does not require too many ingredients!

Here is what I did:

1)     Baked for 30 min

2)     Made topping

3)     While pan was on rack inside oven, carefully poured topping on

4)     Baked for 15 min. Pulled it out to check on it. Then baked 8 more min.

5)     Let cake rest

6)     Carefully cut around edges

Swedish Fika cake (~from Dorie Greenspan’s cookbook Baking with Dorie)

 

INGREDIENTS

For the cake

1¾ cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

1¼ cups (250 grams) sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1¾ sticks (14 tablespoons; 7 ounces; 200 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm

⅔ cup (160 ml) lukewarm milk (if necessary, heat it gently)

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

 

For the topping

7 tablespoons (3½ ounces; 100 grams) unsalted butter, cut into small chunks

¾ cup (75 grams) sliced almonds

½ cup (100 grams) sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons milk

 

A word on temperature and timing: Be sure to use eggs that are at room temperature; the butter and milk should be lukewarm. You need to start making the topping after the cake has been in the oven for 30 minutes or so.

 

DIRECTIONS

1)     To make the cake: Center a rack in the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9- to 9½-inch springform pan and dust with flour (baker’s spray isn’t a good option here). Place the pan on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat.

2)     Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together.

3)     Working in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the sugar and eggs together on medium-high speed until light and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and gradually add the melted butter, followed by the milk and vanilla, and mix until the batter is smooth and shiny. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until they’re almost fully incorporated., Using a flexible spatula, give the batter a few last turns to finish the blending. Scrape it into the pan.

4)     Slide the cake into the oven and set your timer for 30 minutes.

5)     As soon as the timer dings, look at the cake: If it seems set and firm enough for you to be able to spread the topping over it, start making the topping; if it doesn’t, bake it for a few minutes more and then make the topping.

6)     To make the topping: Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula, until you see a couple of bubbles around the edges. Lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring nonstop, for 3 minutes. The mixture will thicken a little and your spatula will leave tracks as you stir. Remove the pan from the heat.

7)     When the top of the cake is firm, take it out of the oven (leave the oven on) and carefully pour the topping over the cake, nudging it gently with a spatula so it covers the top completely.

8)     Return the cake to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes (the total baking time for the cake is about 50 minutes), or until the topping—which will bubble and seethe—is a beautiful golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Transfer the pan on the baking sheet to a rack and let rest for 5 minutes. Carefully work a table knife between the sides of the pan and the cake, gently pushing the cake away from the sides (it’s a delicate job, because the sticky topping won’t have set yet). Remove the side of the pan and let the cake cool to room temperature on the base.

9)     When you’re ready to serve, lift the cake off the springform base and onto a platter.

 

 Storing: The cake may look delicate, but it will keep well for up to 3 days if your kitchen isn’t humid. The easiest way to keep it is to return it to the (clean) springform pan and cover the top of the pan.

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