Swedish Visting Cake - Scandinavian Almond Cake

Swedish visiting cake on a plate with piece cut.

Swedish Visting Cake - Scandinavian Almond Cake

4.60 from 5 votes

A beloved Scandinavian classic, this Swedish almond cake recipe is the perfect treat to make when friends drop by or for afternoon tea. With its crispy almond-studded top and chewy, cookie-like interior, this dense, buttery almond tea cake comes together in minutes and is my most-requested dessert.

Servings pieces

Ingredients

1½ cups all purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon salt
12 tablespoon butter unsalted - 1½ sticks,
6 oz. (170 grams), room temperature
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 eggs room temperature
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup sliced almonds
powdered sugar optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper, and grease and flour the sides of the pan.
Mix together 1½ cups all purpose flour and ⅛ teaspoon salt with a whisk and set aside.
Use a handheld mixer to beat the 12 tablespoon butter and 1½ cups granulated sugar on medium speed until light and creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl using a silicone spatula periodically.
Add the 2 eggs, one at a time, and mix on medium speed until combined. Beat in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon almond extract.
Add the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl periodically to incorporate all ingredients.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Use a spatula to gently even out the batter. The batter will be quite thick. Sprinkle ¼ cup sliced almonds evenly over the batter.
Bake the cake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out without wetness and just a few crumbs.
Transfer the cake onto a cooling rack and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Turn the cake out onto a cake rack and allow it to cool completely.
Once completely cool, dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

Notes

This recipe was originally published with melted butter, but I find that softened butter is better. To make it with melted butter, whisk together the sugar and eggs, stir in the extracts, stir in the flour, and finally fold in the melted butter. Bake as per the recipe instructions.

Nutrition