Chocolate-Studded Rehrucken

Yield:
3 loaves

Rehrucken means "saddle of venison"; it refers to the shape of the loaf pan used to make these traditional Austrian cakes.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup sliced blanched almonds, toasted

  • 3 ½ sticks (¾ pound plus 4 tablespoons) unsalted butter

  • 14 ounces almond paste

  • ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt

  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

  • Zest of 2 lemons

  • 10 large eggs, separated

  • 3 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau

  • cup cornstarch

  • 3 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar

  • 11 ½ ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (2 cups)

  • cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

  • Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 rehrucken pans (11 3/4-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pans can be used instead) lightly with vegetable-oil spray. Scatter almonds in pans. In an electric mixer, beat butter, almond paste, confectioners' sugar, salt, vanilla, and lemon zest on medium-low speed, about 1 minute. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating on medium-low speed for 1 minute after each. Beat in liqueur.

  2. In a medium bowl, sift together cornstarch and flour.

  3. Beat egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add granulated sugar and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 6 minutes.

  4. Using a rubber spatula, fold half of the flour mixture into the egg-yolk mixture. Fold in half the egg whites. Fold in remaining flour mixture, then remaining egg whites, then chocolate and ginger.

  5. Divide batter evenly among 3 pans. Bake for 25 minutes, rotate pans between ovenshelves, and bake about 25 minutes more; a cake tester inserted into the center of each loaf should come out clean. Let pans cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes. Transfer loaves from pans to rack; let cool 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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