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1
Preheat the broiler.
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2
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan.
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3
Line with parchment paper and butter the paper.
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4
Set aside.
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5
In a small bowl, combine the nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, mace, cardamom, ginger and anise.
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6
Set aside.
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7
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, 1/2 cup of the sugar, vanilla, and salt.
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8
Add the egg yolks and beat until smooth.
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9
Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold the flour into the batter with a rubber spatula.
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10
In a clean bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar until stiff.
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11
Fold into egg yolk mixture, being careful not to overmix.
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12
Divide the batter between 2 bowls.
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13
Add combined spices to 1 bowl and stir well.
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14
Pour about 1/2 cup of the spiced batter into the prepared pan, spreading to form a thin layer.
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15
Place the pan under the preheated broiler for 2 minutes, or until the layer is firm and very lightly browned.
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16
Remove from the oven and spread about 1/2 cup of the plain batter over the top and broil until firm.
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17
Repeat layering spiced and plain batters in the pan and broiling until all the batter is used.
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18
Note that the cake typically has between 12 and 15 layers.)
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19
Let the cake cool on a wire rack then turn out from the pan.
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20
Place on a cake plate and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
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21
Thinly slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
