Layered Almond Baumkuchen with Apricot Jam and Dark Chocolate

What you need

• 200 g (7 oz) butter, softened, plus extra for the pan
• 150 g (3/4 cup) sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 lemon, zest only, finely grated
• 150 g (5 oz) marzipan, raw almond paste, coarsely grated
• 6 large eggs, separated
• 2 tbsp dark rum
• 100 g (3/4 cup) plain flour
• 100 g (3/4 cup) cornstarch
• 100 g (1/3 cup) apricot jam, warmed and sieved
• 200 g (7 oz) dark chocolate, chopped

Method

Restated from the original video

1. 1

   Set an oven rack about 15 cm (6 in) below the grill (broiler) element and heat the grill to its highest setting, around 220 °C (425 °F). Butter a 20 cm (8 in) springform pan well and line the base with parchment.

2. 2

   Beat the butter, sugar, salt, vanilla and lemon zest with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, 4-5 min.

3. 3

   Add the marzipan and beat until smooth, then beat in the egg yolks one at a time, adding the rum with the last yolk.

4. 4

   Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl to stiff peaks.

5. 5

   Sift the flour and cornstarch over the butter mixture and fold in gently. Fold in a third of the whites to loosen the batter, then the rest, keeping as much air as possible.

6. 6

   Spoon about 6 tbsp of batter into the pan and spread it into a thin, even layer with the back of the spoon.

7. 7

   Bake under the grill until deep golden brown, 3-4 min. Watch closely, since it colors fast.

8. 8

   Take the pan out and spread on the next thin layer of batter. Return it under the grill and bake until golden again. Repeat until the batter is used up, about 12-14 layers.

9. 9

   Cool the cake in the pan 15 min, then unmold onto a wire rack and peel off the parchment.

10. 10

    Brush the top and sides with the apricot jam and let it set, about 10 min.

11. 11

    Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Pour it over the cake and spread to coat the top and sides.

12. 12

    Let the chocolate set at room temperature. Slice into thin wedges to show the rings.

Imported from scrumdiddlyumptious.com. Recipe Grab pulled out what you need to cook it; the video stays where its author put it.