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1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.
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2
Butter the entire pan with 1 tablespoon of the butter.
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3
Using an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the remaining 1 1/2 sticks of butter and 2 1/2 cups sugar together.
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4
Zest the oranges over the bowl and mix thoroughly, reserving the oranges.
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5
Add the eggs 1 at a time, and mix well.
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6
Sift the flour, salt and baking powder.
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7
Add the flour alternately with the milk.
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8
Mix well.
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9
Add the vanilla.
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10
Pour into the prepared pan.
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11
Place in the oven on the middle rack.
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12
Bake until the top is golden and the cake springs back, about 25 minutes.
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13
Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes in the pan.
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14
Place a piece of parchment paper over the rack and carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack.
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15
Allow the cake to cool completely.
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16
For the orange syrup: In a saucepan, combine the juice of the oranges (about 1/2 cup) and the remaining 1 cup of sugar.
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17
Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
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18
Remove from the heat and cool completely.
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19
Brush the top of the cake with the orange syrup.
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20
Let the cake sit for 10 minutes.
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21
To assemble, cut the cake in half, crosswise.
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22
Spread the almond cream, evenly, over one cake.
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23
Place the other cake on top of the pastry cream and slightly press the layers together.
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24
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until the filling has set, about 2 hours.
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25
Using a serrated knife, trim of the edges of the cake and cut the cake into an even rectangle.
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26
Cut into individual cakes, 1 1/2 by 2 inches.
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27
Place the individual cakes on 2 wire racks, over a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart from each other.
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28
In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice and some of the milk.
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29
Whisk until smooth.
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30
Pour the frosting over each cake letting the excess drip down the sides of the cake.
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31
Using a knife, spread the frosting evenly over the sides of the cakes.
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32
Sprinkle the top of each cake with the crushed almonds.
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33
Place the cakes back in the refrigerator and allow the frosting to set,