Kvæfjord Cake “Verdens Beste” (World’s Best Cake)

Instructions

1- Vanilla custard ▢ Separate the egg yolks and set aside the whites to use in the meringue.

2- ▢ Whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch and sugar in a bowl.

3- ▢ Heat the cream and milk in a saucepan.

4- Split open the vanilla pod and add the beans to the saucepan.

5- Once the milk begins to bubble pour about half of it into the bowl with the egg mixture, whisking constantly.

6- Then return the saucepan to the heat and pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with remaining milk, whisking constantly.

7- Once the mixture thickens lower the heat and continue whisking for about 30 seconds.

8- ▢ Pour the custard into a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap, placing the plastic directly on the top layer of the custard.

9- Chill in the fridge.

10- Cake ▢ Mix together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

11- Add egg yolks one at a time, setting aside the egg whites for the meringue.

12- Add the flour mixed with baking powder.

13- Stir in the milk, beating until smooth (you can use an electric mixer if you prefer).

14- ▢ Preheat oven to 320°F (160°C).

15- Cover a baking sheet with baking paper and spread out the batter into a large, even rectangle.

16- Meringue topping ▢ Whisk together the egg whites and sugar until you get glossy, stiff peaks.

17- The meringue should hold its form – if it still melts continue whisking.

18- ▢ Spread out the meringue on top of the cake batter.

19- Use a spatula to form light waves with the meringue.

20- Sprinkle almonds on top of the meringue.

21- Bake for about 30 minutes, until the meringue and almonds are golden.

22- Cream filling ▢ Whisk the cream into stiff peaks.

23- Carefully fold in the vanilla custard.

24- Assembly ▢ Once the cake has cooled, cut it in half.

25- You can use scissors for this, or a knife on a cutting board, slicing through the baking paper as well.

26- ▢ Place half of the cake on a serving platter with the meringue side down and peel off the baking paper.

27- ▢ Spread the cream filling across the cake.

28- Then carefully remove the other half of the cake from the baking paper and place it over the cream filling, meringue side up.

29- ▢ Serve with fresh berries.