Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Swedish Almond Cake & a Giveaway or two!

Swedish Almond Cake 2jpg


This recipe is from my friend Ken's Mom, Marion.

I first time I had this cake was probably more than 15 years ago.

You do need a special pan to bake it, which is why I had never blogged it before until now, but this cake is too good not to share. Marion is Swedish, so this is the real thing people. I just love it. It's one of my most favorite cakes. It's not fluffy or frosted, it doesn't have a page full of ingredients, it's just simple good cake with a fantastic almond flavor.

The pan I bake this in is called a Half Roll Bake pan. My friend Eva (Ken's wife) bought me ones ages ago. Mine is marked on the bottom "Made in West Germany". Huh? Doesn't sound too Swedish to me!

Swedish Almond Cake 1jpg

I had never seen another pan like it until last week so I picked up 2 to give away, cause I think a few more people should be able to experience this delicious cake.

Here's the recipe. Scroll down for the giveaway(s)

Swedish Almond Cake
recipe from Marion Bird
Spray a half roll pan with Bakers Joy or use cooking spray. I like Bakers Joy cause the cake never sticks.

In a large bowl beat:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons PURE almond extract (Imitation just won't do in this recipe)
2/3 cup milk

Beat until combined. Then add in:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Again, beat until combined, scrapping up any flour that sticks to the side of the bowl.

Finally add in:
1 stick melted butter.

Mix again.

If you'd like the top to be almond covered (I think it looks pretty) then sprinkle some slivered almonds into the bottom of the pan. Pour in the batter and carefully smooth the top. Bake at 350 for 40 - 50 minutes of until the edges are nicely browned and the cake tests done. It will puff up over the top of the pan, don't worry.

Cool completely in the pan. If you don't, the cake will break while you are trying to get it out.

Invert onto a plate, sprinkle with powered sugar and serve!
_______________________________________________________________________________
The Giveaways!

So since the baking season is upon us, I put together 2 baking gifts for you to win. Both contain the same items, but one also includes a 9 cup brownie pan. You get 9 perfect little individual brownies from one pan. Pretty cool huh?
So what up for grabs?

  • The half roll bake pan
  • Wilton green & white sparkling sugar
  • Trader Joe's (Baker Joe's in this case) Cocoa Pearls
  • Cupcake Plunger - you can easily make filled cupcakes or muffins.


    giveaway Here's all the loot! Remember one person will win what is pictured above. Another will be chosen for the additional items. So here's the brownie pan..... giveaway3 And here is the half roll pan..... giveaway 4 The A cupcake plunger. I picked one up for myself. I need to get plunging! giveaway2 
     And lastly, the Wilton sprinkles and Cocoa pearls. giveaway 1 
     TO ENTER: Leave me a comment answering this question....... 
    What is your favorite holiday cookie?
    Please, please, please, I can't stress this enough.....LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS if you don't have a blog. If you don't leave an address, then I 'll just pick another winner, so please don't forget! 2 winner will be drawn on Monday, November 21st! If you're a follower, let me know and I'll throw in another chance for you! Good Luck!

105 comments:

Becki's Whole Life said...

Hi Lisa-

This cake looks wonderful. Almonds and a buttery cake don't need anything else The pan makes the cake look so pretty with just a little confectioner's sugar on top.

My favorite holiday cookie....would have to be a really good sugar cookie with some buttercream on top.

Diane said...

Lisa, what a generous giveaway. Thank you.
I think I may have to buy my own pan if I don't win ;)
My favorite cookie is Cranberry-Pistachio Biscotti: I only make it at Christmas time and I could eat the whole batch myself.

RunnerDoc said...

Hi Lisa!

As someone with Swedish heritage, I was so excited to see your recipe for Swedish Almond Cake. Can't wait to try and make it myself!

I would have to say my favorite holiday cookie is a molasses ginger cookie that my great-aunt used to make every year around Christmas. Makes me feel like I'm home every time I bake them. Food can bring back such wonderful memories!

Monica said...

Hi Lisa,

What a great give away for those who love to bake. And what a beautiful cake.

My favorite holiday cookie would be the best sugar cookie you ever stole. A favorite in our family. The best is when it is rolled in sanding sugar.

Lauren K said...

Hi Lisa, I have been a fan (and follower!) of your site for a while. I am learning how to cook through you! :)
My favorite cookies are almond cookies. They are paper thin and deceptive - you think eating 30 of them can't be wrong ;)
Thanks so much for this giveaway!
Lauren - lagniappeliving@gmail.com

Karie @ The HoB said...

My favorite Holiday Cookies are Russian Tea Cakes. My great-grandmother taught my mom, my sister and me how to make them and we make them every year now!

MaryAnn said...

I've never seen a pan like that! Would love to win it!

My favorite holiday cookies are bird's nests, or some people call them thumbprints. Brown sugar cookie, rolled in nuts with a jam center. Yum!
MaryAnn

Lynda said...

chocolate chips! although this year i'm going to try the nutella recipes i've seen floating around the web

Lynda said...

i'm a follower ;)

Unknown said...

Spritz are my favorite holiday cookie!

Karrie Baker said...

I would have to say Mexican Wedding Cake cookies are my have holiday cookie. So delicious. Now I feel like making some. See what you did? You are terrible for me. LOL

Thank you for the chance to win, you are way too generous!! :)

stampgirl@cox.net

Janice said...

This pan is very unusual and would love to make the cake.

Favorite holiday cookie would have to be my sister's gingerbread cookies. She makes them into small whoopsie pies, so yummy.

MissM said...

I love raspberry pecan thumbprint cookies! My mom made them when I was a child and now I make them every year.

Anonymous said...

What an awesome giveaway! My favorite holiday cookie is definately time consuming, but so so yummy. I love Christmas Tree Shortbread cookies filled with raspberry jam. So tender and buttery and sweet with raspberry! I look forward to making them, but would love to try the Swedish Almond Cake . . . hmmmmm. evigue@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

This giveaway is AMAZING!! My favorite cookie? I'm so boring, but it's definitely oatmeal raisin

jwolfe06@gmail.com

Shannon said...

I just found your blog and I'm really looking forward to looking at past entries!

My favorite holiday cookies are decorated sugar cookies - not because they're the best tasting or even the prettiest (depending on who decorated them), but they always remind me of Christmas as a little kid. My mom always let me go crazy with the frosting and sprinkles :-)

-Shannon
shancd137@sbcglobal.net

Liz said...

Lisa -

I just love your blog! By far, my favorite holiday cookies are Raspberry Jelly Cookies. A buttery shortbread cookie with a big dollop of raspberry jelly in the middle:)

Liz
ecox@velaw.com

kd said...

Hi -

This is a fun giveaway. I haven't seen a brownie pan like that before. Fun!

The cookie I grew up with at the holidays is what we called pecan dreams:

PECAN DREAMS
1 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
2 tsp. water
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Mix well. Roll into ovals and bake in 350 degree oven. Roll in powdered sugar when you take them out of oven.

Thanks!

loxiemom said...

Wonderful blog! My favorite cookie is a Linzer cookie. So Christmassy. loxiemom@hotmail.com

Colleen said...

My Grandma Jeanne's recipe for No-Roll Sugar Cookies is my favorite!

Jelly said...

Those peanut butter cookies with the chocolate kiss on top.

Jac V. said...

My favorite holiday cookie would have to be the classic iced sugar cookie!

Your cake looks divine... thanks for putting on this giveaway! I have a blog, but here is my email just in case I win something (crossing fingers): msfourtune@hotmail.com

Amy said...

Snickerdoodles. Is that a holiday cookie? It's my favorite cookie. Lovin' that half pan...but what is that cupcake plunger gadget?! Brilliant. On another note, I make ebelskiver pancakes all the time, but never post them because of the special pan you need. I think it's time to change that.

Samantha said...

Lisa,

Love the pan! I'm so excited to start my holiday baking! My favorite holiday cookie has to be peanut butter cookie with the chocolate kiss smushed into the center right after baking!

Oh I'm drooling just thinking about it. Enjoy your holiday!

Thanks for the chance to win, my fingers are crossed!

Samantha
sarowland06@yahoo.com

Lindsey W.B. said...

Oooo golly, I love almond anything SO MUCH, I can't wait to make this cake (with or without the lovely pan!)

I absolutely love soft gingerbread, especially when it's in all sorts of fun shapes with just a little touch of sugar icing. My friend makes me a whole tin every year!

Creating Through LIFE said...

I'm a follower and I love ANY and EVERY holiday cookie! It's so hard to choose just one as my favorite. At the moment I would love a big, soft, and perfectly chewy sugar cookie with colorful sugar sprinkles on top.

CourtneyM said...

Great giveaway- thanks for this! My favorite is still the classic peanut butter blossom.

Unknown said...

that is a tough question, my favorite Holiday cookies would be a gingerbread cookie.

Yasmin said...

My favorite cookies are gingersnaps! They just taste like the holidays to me.

krysta said...

i want that cake... i am going to buy my own pan... my favorite cookies for the holidays are spicy gingersnap and cranberry bars with struesel topping. :) but any cookie is alright in my book.

Kris said...

My favorite cookie, hands down is my grandmothers shortbread. She was Scottish so she just had this knack to making the perfect shortbread.

Unknown said...

Favorite Christmas cookie would be peanut butter with red and green sugar sprinkles. I do find it humorous that the packaging for the brownie pan says, "Oven safe." Thanks and good luck to all!
pavel@magicmirror.cx

MaryAnne said...

Lovely goodies!

My favorite holiday cookie is what my family always called a Butterball Sand but aka Russian Teacake or Mexican Wedding cookie. I don't care what you call them, just call me when you bake some!

Mollie @eatrunread said...

Gingerbread men all the way!

Abyss said...

This is a great recipe! I follow our blog and often make your recipes- thanks for sharing! My favorite holiday cookies are called "Swedish Tea Cakes". I can't imagine a christmas without them. sidneyhartley@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I positively LOVE Lebkuchen. I used to live in Bavaria in the early 80s and we used to eat this molasses-y, gingerbread-y cookie. When we moved back to the states, we moved to a non-German area, so time passed until I read somewhere about a book called "A Baker's Odyssey" by Greg Patent last year. I HAD to have it. So I bought the book and made it last year. I've already been requested to make them again for Christmas. :D

Flat Creek Farm said...

Oh my! I must have some of that cake. Right now. Looks delightful! :) Thanks for hosting such an amazing and generous giveaway. I envy anyone who has a TJ's nearby!! Such nifty items too. I am a kitchen gadget & pan nut ;) (my email is attached to my blog) -Tammy

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the great giveaway! My favorite holiday cookie is a simple cut out sugar cookie that you can decorate with icing and sprinkles.
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower of your blog. Thank you!
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com

aniC said...

My favorite holiday cookie is pumpkin chocolate chip. I know, boring. But I LOVE pumpkin so much I can't betray it by picking a cookie without it in there.

aniC said...

I follow your blog. (I'm a new follower actually) I love your recipes! I used your hot bread recipe last week to make bread for the first time in my life, and it was so easy and yummy and turned out great. Thanks for the giveaway!
anitramb 99 at yahoo

Rebecca said...

That cake is incredible looking. I always think that the simplest combinations end up being the most spectacular. I bet this cake is no exception to that.

Please be nice. said...

Wow, that cake looks wonderful!

Favorite Christmas cookie - snickerdoodles, they say Christmas to me!

Thanks,

Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D said...

Hi Lisa,
Oh, this could be fun. My husband is Swedish.

Well, my favorite cookie is YOUR chocolate expresso cookie!

But, if I had to choose another, so I don't look like a complete brown-noser...it would have to be my orange chocolate chip cookie.

(Basically take a chocolate chip recipe and add about 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed OJ and the zest of an orange or 2.)

Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

kelly said...

Lisa, My favorite holiday cookie to bake are lintzer cookies. They are also everyone's favorite to receive! I would love to win the pan - for those who don't win, can you post where you purchased it? I searching on line and can't find it. Thanks....kellystarnes@comcast.net

Randi said...

Ooooo looks so yummy!

My favorite holiday cookie is krumkake (a recent discovery, actually) - Randi (randi.j.winter [at] gmail)

Monica said...

I am not sure what they are called but they are round and coveredin powdered sugar, those things are delicious!

Thanks for the giveaway!

CA said...

Lisa, My favorite holiday cookie is butter-nut balls made with finely chopped pecans and rolled in powdered sugar. They just melt in your mouth!!!
Almond cake looks wonderful; would love to win the pan.
w.blaine@comcast.net

Kaela said...

I love M&M cookies any time of year.

Wonderful said...

My favorite cookie of all time has got to be chocolate sugar cookies with royal icing. Seriously, they are amazing. I make them every holiday season and give them to friends and family and they practically taste like brownies, but they aren't at all. I am getting excited right now just thinking about them!

Wonderful said...

I am also a follower!

Cindy said...

My favorite holiday cookie are Oatmeal-Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle.
cindyskitchen@yahoo.com

Adina said...

Hard to pick a favorite since I always try so many new things all our Christmases look different. So I'll pick my mom's Romanian loaf similar to panettone.

I'm a follower.

Cindy said...

I'm a new follower.
cindyskitchen@yahoo.com

Jenn said...

Hmmm. I love just standard sugar cooks. You can do such much with sugar cookies.

Terri said...

This cake looks delicious. Thank you for the awesome giveaway.

Sharon said...

My very favorite holiday cookie has to be my cut-out sugar cookies with butter cream frosting. I have used this recipe for thirty-eight years of marriage - makes the most wonderful, buttery cookies in the world!

Sharon said...

I forgot to say that I am a follower of your WONDERFUL blog - my favorite holiday cookies are cut-out sugar cookies with butter cream frosting.

Anonymous said...

It's a toss-up between my mom's melting moments and moldy mice. Without either, it wouldn't be Christmas!

Killer giveaway. We used pans similar to the half-roll when I worked at a bakery in high school. Although ours had a hinged top, so I suppose it would be a whole-roll pan? It was for the cinnamon "bread" -- more like cake, and irresistible.

Cheers,

*Heather*

Gerilynne said...

Oh that cake sounds perfect for the holidays.

My favorite cookie, and I mean this quite sincerely, is your recipe for Soft Molasses cookies. It tastes like the holidays and fills the house with fragrant, rich, warm aroma while baking! And so perfect with a cup of tea, too!

Brooke said...

I love Nutella Snowflake cookies! Basically they are just shortbread with nutella dollops and then you seal the edges and bake. Sprinkle powdered sugar on afterwards! SOOOO yummy! Also tasty with apricot preserves in the center!

MeganD said...

A friend of mine's mother had made this cake a years ago and since then I have absolutely been in love with it! One of my favorite cakes, and so hard to put down after the first bite. :) I plan to make it for the first time for Thanksgiving and glad am to have found your recipe and hear it's not a hassle to make.

Brenda S Okie in Colorado said...

There is nothing better than a thick cut plain sugar cookie with icing, snickerdoodles, and Christmas isn't complete without German lebkuchen cookies with and without jelly.
In case I don't win, will you tell us where you purchase the roll pan? Thanks in advance.
Brenda S.
whtfeathergrammy@aol.com

Emily said...

I really love shortbread cookies. They always seem like the holidays to me!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway -and happy holidays.

My favorite cookie is coconut macaroon. There's just something about that flaky goodness that brings a smile to me and mine. Plus they're so easy to do.
alvram@msn.com

Patsy from Illinois said...

Without a doubt it would be snickerdoodles. They are good enough to roll around in! Ha.

Bunny said...

My husband loves cakes like this, he doesn't like frosting. It must be a man thing! LOL!! My favorite cookie is a big fat chewy chocolate chip cookie! Wonderful give away Lisa!

Haley said...

I love Russian Tea Cakes - they were my Aunt Karen's special holiday treat!

michellez said...

Mmt.zechman@gmail.com says in response to what is my favorite holiday cookie? Hands down it's the Candy Cane cookie my family has been baking since the 1960's! They are amazing cookies made with real butter...yum, both almond and vanilla extracts and finished off with a sprinking of granulated sugar and crushed candy cane after baking..they just melt in your mouth and look beautiful on a cookie tray..both festive and delicious!

Jessie said...

My favorite holiday cookies are almond softies. Scrumptious. :)

rhapsodyinblue at gmail dot com

p.s. I'm a follower, of course :)

Kristina said...

Awesome giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity (and the cake recipe)!

My favorite holiday cookies are Montécaos. They're an almond Spanish cookie, heavy on the powdered sugar, that literally melt in your mouth. Way back when, my Grandma used to make them for special occasions. They're absolutely wonderful and every time I make them (and eat them) I think of her.

Stefanie said...

That almond cake looks fantastic!

Thanks for the chance to win. My favorite holiday cookie has to be glazed gingerbread. So spicy and sweet and good!

stef1213 at hotmail dot com

Cynthia said...

Hey Lisa!!

How am I supposed to pick just one cookie LOL?? I would have to answer kourambiethes, which are Greek Christmas cookies that are made with almonds and cognac and dusted with icing sugar and are so delicious! Without them, Christmas supper just wouldnt be the same!

Pam said...

Hi Lisa- What a wonderful giveaway! I love following your blog- since I'm on the west coast, I really get to appreciate the change in seasons through your photos and stories! This cake reminds me of your Swedish Visiting cake, which has become one of our favorites. My favorite holiday cookie is one that my aunt makes- we call them " pillows," but their real name is Butterfingers. They taste like Russian tea cakes, but they're shaped like delicate little pillows. If I get to my mom's house too late, they're usually gone! Thanks for a chance to win- gpj2@comcast.net

June said...

Mexican wedding cookies would be my all time favorite. I tend to only make them for the holidays

Ms.Stough said...

I looove snickerdoodle! :) Love your blog! nikki_harrelson@yahoo.com

Junk It Folk said...

This half round cake sounds delish! My favorite holiday cookie was my mom's famous Greek cookie. She was an excellent baker but never measured a thing! I wish I would have paid more attention when she was cooking! Sadly, I've never been able to recreate 'her' cookie. Thanks for the give away! I follow your fun blog on Reader.

Deborah~jean said...

That cake looks delicious.....make great gifts,with that perfect shape....Thanks for sharing....
cdauen68@yahoo.com

Melissa said...

We don't really have any traditional 'holiday' cookies. I don't think we really ever made any! But I have been making Buckeyes and Truffles recently for our holiday get-togethers! Of course, if I had to pick a cookie it would be gingerbread. Or shortbread!

Cheryl said...

My favorite Christmas cookie would have to be a Russian Tea Cake. My Italian American family has always called them Butter Balls. Yum!

Cheryl said...

Oops! My email is:

mmmamia@yahoo.com

jancd said...

Wow, those giveaways look like fun. I like Mexican wedding cookies for the holidays and the cookie that contains a Reeces Peanutbutter cup. My grandkids love those.

Grace said...

Love the recipes and accompanying pictures. My favorite holiday cookie is a peppermint chocolate pinwheel :)

Lisa said...

I love ginger cookies. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com

donna said...

this cake looks divine!

my favorite holiday cookie is the Rainbow cookie :-) can't get enough!
deebeez@aol.com

The Ellsies said...

My favorite holiday cookie is chocolate crinkles. My mom made them every year when I was growing up. I think they're even more special now because mine always suck so I have to go back home to get them.

Thanks for the giveaway!

The Ellsies said...

My favorite is chocolate crinkles

carolynellsworth@gmail.com

Carrie said...

I am more of a candy girl at Christmas but I do love spritz cookies, if I only I could make them as pretty as my grandma does

clsissel@gmail.com

Angelica said...

Dear Lisa,
I have been following your blog for quite some time now. Just stumbled upon it one day looking for a recipe. I am totally hooked. I have tried so many of your recipes, Cowboy casserole is one of my favs!!! Hope to win this one.
Angelica
angelicamoye@hotmail.com

Angelica said...

Oops forgot to leave my favorite Holiday Cookie: Sugar cookies, I know simple but it is the only time I Make them.
Angelica
angelicamoye@hotmail.com

Clutie-girl said...

Rugelah is my favorite cookie!
cluie-girl@hotmail.com

katiegrace said...

This is a REALLY tough question!! My favorite would have to be Toblerone Shortbread Cookies! Yummy!!

kjenner85@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday cookie is the Melt in Moments Sugar Cookie.

jkchatas@comcast.net

sherry L. said...

Thanks for the great giveaway! lilsis_75@hotmail.com

Brenda said...

My favorite holiday cookie is brown sugar pecan - my grandmother's recipe that I first learned to bake as a very little girl! I love the taste, the texture and the memories.

Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! Happy Thanksgiving!
Brenda
brenda.cobble@yahoo.com

Jamergurl921 said...

Lisa,

My favorite holiday cookie is a spiced sugar cookie with some great frosting on top. Yum!

My email is jamergurl921@gmail.com

LAMusing said...

I love Pecan Butter Balls!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

BreeAnna said...

Holiday cookie has to be gingerbread Women.. :) I have never made a gingerbread man.. :P

bwanna12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I most look forward to dense, soft sugar cookies, decorated with icing and a kid's imagination! Hands down, it's a number one favorite. Doesn't matter if it's messy, gorgeous, or somewhere in between. Seeing the kids have a ball making them, makes them delicious!

Email is desertrose1166@hotmail.com

Wendy said...

My name is Wendy for the above comment. Don't know why it went anonymous.

Email: desertrose1166@hotmail.com

Nicole Gamble said...

My mouth is watering now just looking at it! Super recipe!

Angelica said...

Hi Lisa,

I just received my package. It was totally amazing. I can't wait to try the almond cake recipe!!! Thanks again.

Angelica

Rachel said...

I love the cake pan. Would you mind telling us where you bought it? I have googled it but couldn't find it.

The Cutting Edge of Ordinary said...

Rachel....please see my newest post. I have info on the pan!

Anonymous said...

I cant find the pan anywhere..