Almond Good Luck Cake

  Desserts

I make this cake for every New Year's Eve dinner. It's said that the person who finds the one whole almond inside will have good luck during the upcoming year.

Almond Good Luck Cake

Average Rating: 4.5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min.
YIELD: 12 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 whole almond

  • APRICOT GLAZE:
  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice

Instructions

  • 1. Combine almond and 1 tablespoon flour; sprinkle into a well-greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Set aside.
  • 2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and 1 cup sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon juice, zest and extracts. Combine the baking powder, salt, baking soda and remaining flour; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk.
  • 3. In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Beat in the remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff. Fold into batter. Pour into prepared pan. Insert whole almond into batter.
  • 4. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
  • 5. For glaze, melt preserves in a microwave or saucepan; strain. Add orange juice; drizzle over warm cake.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 273 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

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