Almond, Fig & Vanilla Tart

I love a quick and easy cake that tastes like you know your stuff when it comes to baking!

I served this at my recent supperclub and it went down a treat!

I am a little obsessed with almonds and I feel that this cake reflects this by adding toasted almond flakes (always toast them) and almond flour. I am not a good enough baker to give ‘tips’ but I do feel that grinding your own whole (not blanched) almonds to a flour really adds to the texture and flavour of this (any) almond cake.

You can find fresh vanilla pods here, so worth having around in your kitchen, there is just something special about a beautiful and moist vanilla pod.

23cm springform fluted tart tin & a mixer or hand held mixer

• 130g unsalted butter, softened
• 160g caster sugar
• zest of 1 lemon
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 180g almond flour (see intro)
• 75g plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup toasted almond flakes
• 6 figs, quartered
• a few tablespoons runny honey
• icing sugar (to decorate)

Orange Blossom Cream

• 25oml cream
• 3 tablespoons icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water

1. Preheat the oven to 160c. Lightly grease a 24cm fluted loose-bottom cake tin.
2. Place the butter, sugar, both zests and vanilla seeds in an electric mixer and whip until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scraping the sides to make sure all gets whipped, it should look like mousse.
3. Add the eggs, a little bit at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the almond meal and sift in the flour and baking powder and mix well to combine.
4. Fold in the flaked almonds and spoon the mixture into the tart tin, spread until smooth. Add the figs randomly into the batter, pressing down slightly.
5. Place the tart on a baking tray and bake for 45 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and while the tart is still hot, brush with honey.
6. While the tart cools, whip the cream, icing sugar and orange blossom to a soft whip, have a taste and maybe add a little more orange blossom water (be mindful it is powerful!). Add a spoonful over a slice and enjoy!