FRITEL

Speculaas cake with almonds

Preheat the oven to 175°C (fan or conventional heat).
Grease a cake pan (preferably 25 cm) or line it with parchment paper.
Sift the flour, speculaas spices, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of your mixer and beat for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one by one, while continuing to mix. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start with a little flour, then add some milk, and continue mixing on low speed. Repeat until everything is well mixed and you have a smooth batter.
Gently fold the sliced almonds into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
Place the cake in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes.
Check the doneness by inserting a skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan to cool completely on a rack.
Cut the cake into slices and serve as a delightful treat for Sinterklaas.

Optionally decorate the cake with extra almonds or a thin layer of powdered sugar for a festive look.