Heavenly Ground Almond Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Crafting a delightful ground almond cake brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Nutty aromas will soon fill your home with warmth and comfort.

Almonds transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that feels like a sweet embrace.

Soft, delicate textures melt on your tongue with each tender bite.

Mediterranean baking traditions inspire this wonderfully light and fragrant treat.

Gentle mixing techniques ensure a perfectly balanced cake that celebrates the rich, natural flavor of ground almonds.

Whip up this simple recipe and surprise yourself with a truly magical homemade delight.

Why You’ll Love Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake

• Mastery the Perfect Crackling: Achieve restaurant-quality crispy pork skin with a detailed technique that guarantees golden, crunchy results every single time.
• Slow-Roast Technique: Transform tough meat into tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection through a patient, low-temperature cooking method that develops deep, rich flavors.
• Foolproof Seasoning Strategy: Enhance the pork's natural taste with a simple yet powerful blend of salt, pepper, and fennel that elevates the entire dish without overwhelming complexity.
• Precision Cooking Method: Control temperature changes strategically to create a stunning contrast between soft, juicy meat and an incredibly crisp exterior that will impress any food lover.

Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake Ingredients List

• Pork Belly: A succulent cut of meat with alternating layers of fat and muscle, perfect for creating a crispy yet tender dish.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Fennel: These classic seasonings will enhance the natural flavor of the pork belly and create a delicious crust.

• Foil, Rack: Essential tools for managing the cooking process and achieving the perfect roasted texture.

Easy Method For Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake

Step 1: Prep the Pork Belly

Select a high-quality pork belly cut. Place the pork belly skin-side up on a clean plate. Leave uncovered in the refrigerator overnight to dry out the skin completely, which helps achieve crispy crackling.

Step 2: Season the Meat

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fennel seeds

Gently massage the seasoning mixture onto the meat side of the pork belly, ensuring even coverage.

Step 3: Create a Cooking Vessel

Line a baking tray with aluminum foil, creating a protective box around the meat. This helps control moisture and heat distribution during cooking.

Step 4: Prepare Skin for Roasting

Pat the pork skin thoroughly with paper towels to remove any moisture. Rub additional olive oil and salt directly onto the skin surface to encourage crispy texture.

Step 5: Initial Slow Roasting

Place the pork belly skin-side up in the prepared foil box. Roast in a preheated oven at 285°F for 2.5 hours. Check at the 90-minute mark, adjusting foil tightness if needed.

Step 6: Crisp the Skin

Increase oven temperature to 465°F. Remove foil and transfer pork to a roasting rack. Use foil balls to stabilize the meat if necessary.

Step 7: Final Roasting

Roast for 30 minutes, rotating the tray every 15 minutes. Cover any darkening skin patches with foil to prevent burning.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Allow the pork belly to rest for 10 minutes. Slice into 2-centimeter pieces and serve immediately while crispy and warm.

Helpful Tips For Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake

• Dry Skin Carefully: Uncovered refrigeration helps achieve crispy, crackling skin by removing moisture.
• Season Strategically: Apply salt and spices only on meat side to enhance flavor without compromising skin texture.
• Control Oven Temperature: Gradual low-temperature roasting followed by high-heat blast ensures tender meat and crunchy crackling.
• Rotate and Protect: Rotate meat during final high-temperature roasting and shield dark patches with foil to prevent burning.
• Rest and Slice Properly: Allow meat to rest before cutting into even pieces to retain juiciness and maintain presentation.

Creative Takes On Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake

• Vegan Almond Cake: Replace ground almonds with ground cashews or sunflower seeds. Use coconut oil instead of butter and flax eggs as a binding agent.
• Gluten-Free Variation: Swap wheat flour with almond flour or rice flour for celiac-friendly option. Add xanthan gum for better texture.
• Low-Carb Version: Use erythritol or stevia instead of sugar. Incorporate ground flaxseed to increase fiber content and maintain moisture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute butter with coconut oil or olive oil. Use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk for creamy consistency.

Perfect Pairings For Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake

• Pair Zesty Citrus Salad: Fresh orange and grapefruit segments cut through the rich pork's fatty layers, creating a bright, refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate.
• Recommend Crisp White Wine: A chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc with high acidity complements the pork's crispy skin and cuts through its heaviness, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Match Herbed Potato Gratin: Creamy potatoes with fresh thyme and rosemary provide a smooth, earthy side that balances the crackling pork's intense flavors and textural complexity.
• Select Bold Red Wine Alternative: A light Pinot Noir with subtle tannins offers a fruity counterpoint to the pork's richness, delivering a smooth and elegant drinking experience alongside the meal.

How To Keep Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake Fresh

• Store leftover pork belly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the meat is completely cooled before sealing.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Preheat oven to 165C (330F). Place pork belly on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• For quick reheating, use medium power in 30-second intervals, checking to prevent overcooking and maintaining crispy skin by placing on a paper towel.

FAQs About Mary Berry Ground Almond Cake

• What type of salt works best for this recipe?

Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for even seasoning. Avoid iodized table salt as it can make the meat taste slightly metallic.

• How do I know if the pork skin is dry enough?

The skin should feel dry and slightly leathery to the touch after overnight refrigeration. If it looks wet or sticky, continue drying uncovered for a few more hours.

• Why is it important to only season the meat side?

Seasoning only the meat side prevents salt from interfering with the skin’s crackling process. The salt on the skin is purely for creating a crispy, crunchy texture.

Ground Almond Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: Approximately 14 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful ground almond cake whisks Mediterranean charm into each delectable slice, promising a nutty, sweet experience. Elegant simplicity and rich flavors make this dessert a perfect companion for afternoon coffee or elegant gatherings you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 175 g (6 oz) ground almonds
• 225 g (8 oz) butter or margarine
• 225 g (8 oz) caster sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 125 g (4 oz) self-raising flour

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/4 teaspoon almond essence

Garnish/Optional Ingredients:

• 50 g (2 oz) whole almonds, blanched
• 25 g (1 oz) plain dark chocolate

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Instructions

1. Prepare pork belly by uncovering and allowing skin to dry completely in refrigerator overnight.
2. Set oven temperature to 140C (285F) for initial slow roasting phase.
3. Season meat side of pork belly with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fennel seeds using gentle massage technique.
4. Create aluminum foil container on baking tray, positioning pork belly skin-side upward.
5. Thoroughly pat skin surface until completely dry, then apply additional olive oil and salt coating.
6. Roast pork belly for approximately 212 hours, adjusting foil edges at 90-minute interval to maintain moisture.
7. Increase oven temperature to 240C (465F) for crispy skin development.
8. Remove protective foil and transfer pork onto roasting rack, stabilizing with aluminum foil balls if necessary.
9. Finish roasting for 30 minutes, rotating tray every 15 minutes and protecting darker skin regions with loose foil coverage.
10. Allow meat to rest for 10 minutes before slicing into precise 2cm portions and serving immediately.

Notes

• Ensure the pork skin is completely dry before roasting to achieve the ultimate crispy crackling.
• Minimal seasoning on the meat side allows the natural pork flavor to shine through.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature for perfect doneness without overcooking.
• Rotating the tray during the high-heat stage helps create an even, golden-brown crackling across the entire surface.

• Prep Time: Overnight (approximately 12 hours)
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 429 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg