Almond Cake

• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup lukewarm milk
• 2 1/2 cups blanched almonds (about 10 ounces)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup almond liqueur or dark rum
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8- or 9-inch springform pan.
2. Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm milk, and let proof until foamy.
3. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake until they are lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Let cool, then place them in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, add 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and pulse until the almonds are very finely chopped but not pulverized.
5. Set aside.
6. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with 3/4 cup of the sugar until pale yellow.
7. Beat in the butter.
8. Add the honey, yeast mixture, liqueur, and almonds, and beat to combine.
9. Add the flour in two or three additions, mixing thoroughly.
10. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until stiff.
11. Gradually fold the whites into the almond mixture.
12. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, shaking the pan to distribute the batter evenly.
13. Place the pan on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until a thin knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
14. Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes, then remove the sides of the pan and let the cake cool on a rack completely before serving.

active dry yeast, milk, blanched almonds, sugar, eggs, unsalted butter, honey, almond liqueur, flour, confectioners

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/almond-cake-recipe.html (may not work)