A dense almond cake that is quick and easy to make. Instead of a cake batter, the ingredients form a stiff dough that you roll into balls, then roll in sugar before baking. The cake can be served by breaking off pieces or slicing into wedges.

Tyrolean Hard Cake

Ingredients:

Small amount of vegetable shortening for preparing pan

Dough:

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar, plus additional sugar for rolling

2 large eggs

2½ cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure almond extract

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1½ cups finely chopped walnuts

Tip:  Use standard measuring cups and spoons or scales for accurate measuring.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare one 9-inch round layer cake pan or one 9 inch round springform pan; lightly grease the bottom of the pan with shortening
   
   Batter:
2. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, almond extract, vanilla extract, and walnuts. Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula so the mixture blends evenly. Mixture will form stiff dough.
   
   
3. Shape dough into small balls, about 1” in diameter. Roll the balls in granulated sugar until completely coated.
   
   
4. Arrange some of sugared balls in the bottom of the pan, placing the balls about ½ inch apart. Place additional sugared balls on top of the first layer on top of the empty spaces. If any sugared balls are still left, form a third layer on top of the second layer.
   
   Bake:
5. Bake 50 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Cool on a wire cooling rack for 20 minutes then remove the cake from the pan and finish cooling on wire rack.
   
   Tip: Serve cake using a pretty cake plate and cake server for a delightful presentation.
   
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