ORANGE AND ALMOND SPANISH CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 C or 350 F.
• Line a 23 cm spring-form tin on the bottom and sides with greaseproof paper.
• Keeping 1 tbsp of caster sugar aside for later, mix the egg yolks and sugar together until pale.
• Then add the almonds and zest.
• Beat the egg whites and remaining tablespoon of sugar until stiff.
• Carefully fold into the sugar-egg mixture, trying not to knock the air out of the whites.
• The egg yolk/sugar mixture will seem quite stiff at first, but keep folding in the egg whites and it will soon loosen up.
• Gently ease the batter into the lined tin.
• Place on the middle shelf of your oven and bake for 60-70 minutes until it is golden on top and firm to touch.
• While the torte is in the oven, make the syrup by placing the orange juice, lemon juice and cinnamon in a saucepan with a handful of sugar.
• Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for about five minutes.
• Taste.
• The syrup should be quite tart.
• Cool and place in the fridge.
• When the torte is ready, remove from the oven and cool completely on a rack before opening the springform tin.
• Transfer to a plate and pierce four small holes in the top of the cake.
• Pour half the syrup over the top and serve with the rest of the syrup on the side.
• If you are making the cake ahead of time, I usually wait until a few hours before serving to pour the syrup over.