Simple Almond Cake

Some things in life are simple.  Like this cake.

Some things in life are complicated.  Like planning your dream wedding in less than 6 months.

Way to suck the happiness out of our being newly engaged bliss.  Darn you logistics and details.  We started off great.  Epically smooth and great.

"Hello...Father Awesome...are you free to officiate our wedding in the Fall and do our marriage prep?"
"Super, glad that works for you."

Priest.  Check

"Hello....Church we want to get married in...are you available on this certain date that works for our priest?"
"What...no way, that is good news indeed!  Put us on the books!"

Church.  Check

At this point we are high fiving each other for being so good at planning a wedding.  Boom.  We can do this all day long!  Bring it on.

"Hello...venue we like that looks like a giant log cabin in the middle of a fairytale forest...are you available on this certain date that works for our priest and our church?"
"What!  You just had a last minute cancellation for that date...shut up.  Can we come look at the facility tomorrow?  Great - see you then!"

"Hello beautiful venue.  We love you.  We can picture our wedding reception here...and I can bring in any food I like?  Make my own cake...etc.  Yes please."

To myself: "This is odd that things are working out so easily, I think I should sabotage this awesome plan and wait on signing for this ideal venue."

"Hello dream venue, yes we love you and want to make this happen but request a week to consider our options.  What?  3 other couples want to sign the dotted line?  We have to move how fast?"

PANIC. CHAOS. EMAILS. CALLS. TEARS. STRESS. PRESSURE. TOO FAST.  DON'T LIKE RUSHED DECISIONS.

"Hello dream venue, you are booked until Fall 2020 now?  Please excuse me while I go bang my head on my desk."

"Hello all other venues that don't even compare to our dream venue...you are booked until Fall 2020 too?"

Face Palm with both my palms and all the other random palms I can find.

And so the search for the ideal wedding reception venue continues...and in the meantime I will eat 12 candy bars, cry about 2 bucketful's of tears, google search every possible wedding venue related thing I can find, and quite possibly scare off my future husband.

And then...there was this cake.  So simple and unassuming.  It was surrounded by cakes that were prettier, more glamorous, and more appealing - but a midst her shining competition this little gem shone bright with authentic charm and poise.  Throw a dollop of fresh cream on top and she became the bell of the ball.

If only I could find a venue like this cake!

I advise you all to not plan weddings, and instead make this cake.  All the world's problems will slowly melt away.

*please note this story may have an element of hyperbole to it.  We (I) am not freaking out that much, and am really happy that I get to marry this pretty awesome man at the end of it all. : )  Super grateful and I know something will work out with our venue!  Prayers that we find something!

Simple Almond Cake
Adapted slightly from Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts, by Alice Medrich

3/4 cup plus 2 TBS almonds (whole, sliced, chopped - whatever you have)
1 cup plus 2 TBS granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
8 TBS unsalted butter, room temp
3 large eggs
1/3 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter the sides and line the bottom of a round cake pan with a parchment circle. (do this by tracing a circle onto parchment the size of your pan and cutting it out)

Put the almonds, sugar, salt, and almond extract into a food processor and process until the nuts are finely pulverized.  Add the butter and pulse until blended.  Add the eggs and process until thoroughly blended.  Add the flour and baking powder and pulse until just incorporated.  Scrape bowl and pulse again.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.  Bake 35-40 minutes until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.  Cool on rack.

Once cool remove from pan.  Cover.  Keeps at room temp for several days, and tastes best after day 2.  Serve with fresh whipped cream and lovely seasonal berries.