Worlds Best Cake

• 10 1/2 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 12 tablespoons) butter, softened
• 1 2 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 5 large eggs, separated
• 1 3 cup whole milk
• 14 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 vanilla bean

1. Preheat the oven to 350F, with a rack in the middle position.
2. Line an 8-x-12-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Beat the butter and 2 3 cup of the sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the flour and baking powder and mix well on low speed.
5. Mix in the egg yolks and milk.
6. Scrape the batter into the baking pan.
7. In a large clean bowl, beat the egg whites and the remaining 1 cup sugar to soft peaks.
8. Spread on top of the cake layer.
9. Sprinkle with the almond slices.
10. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown and puffed.
11. Cool on a wire rack in the pan.
12. Transfer to a cutting board.
13. When the cake is cool, put the cream in a medium bowl and scrape in the vanilla seeds.
14. Discard the vanilla pod.
15. Beat to soft peaks with an electric mixer, about 3 minutes.
16. Cut the cake in half crosswise with a serrated knife.
17. Place one half of the cake on a serving tray and cover with the cream.
18. Place the other half, meringue side up, on top.
19. Let the cake sit for 1 hour in the fridge before serving.

butter, granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, almonds, heavy cream, vanilla bean

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/worldrsquos-best-cake (may not work)