Date Cake with Pistachio Lebneh
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1/2 pound), plus more for the pan
- 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 1 1/3 cups confectioners sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 9 ounces pitted Deglet Noor dates, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 1/2 cups)
- 5 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup lebneh or any Greek-style strained yogurt
- 1/2 cup unsalted roasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Butter a 10-inch round cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and butter the paper.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the vanilla bean and seeds.
- Cook over moderate heat until the milk solids begin to brown and the butter has a nutty aroma, about 8 minutes.
- Pour the butter into a heatproof bowl.
- Remove the vanilla bean, saving it for another use.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the confectioners' sugar with the flour and fold in the dates.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg whites at medium high speed until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add the granulated sugar and beat at high speed until the whites are stiff and glossy.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites.
- Drizzle one-third of the browned butter against the inside of the bowl and fold it into the egg whites until combined.
- Repeat with the remaining butter, in two additions.
- Scrape the batter into the cake pan and smooth the surface.
- Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the cake is golden and firm.
- (The cake will rise, then fall when it's done.)
- Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes.
- Run the tip of a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then invert it onto a cake plate.
- In a small bowl, mix the lebneh with the pistachios.
- Slice the cake into wedges, garnish with the lebneh and serve.
butter, vanilla bean, confectioners sugar, flour, deglet, egg whites, granulated sugar, lebneh, pistachios
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/date-cake-with-pistachio-lebneh (may not work)