Bee Sting Cake

This is a favorite in pastry shops all over Germany.

Cake:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl. Cream butter until light and fluffy and gradually add sugar, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time and add vanilla extract. Using a rubber spatula, add milk and flour, alternating between the two. Use enough milk to bring mixture to thick dropping consistency. Grease and flour a springform pan and spoon in the cake mixture.

Topping:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Combine ingredients and heat long enough to dissolve the sugar. Sprinkle the top of the cake mixture lightly with flour and pour on the topping. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The topping will caramelize slightly as the cake bakes. Meanwhile, prepare the Filling.

Filling:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup heavy cream, whipped
1/4 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

Combine sugar, cornstarch and egg yolks in a bowl and whisk until light. Pour on milk gently and gradually whisk into egg yolk mixture. Strain the mixture into a heavy-based saucepan and cook over very gentle heat until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Add vanilla or almond extract and allow to cool. Place a sheet of damp wax paper or plastic wrap directly over the top of the custard as it cools. When the custard is completely cool, lightly whip the cream and fold it in.

To assemble the cake, loosen it from the sides of the pan. Turn the lock of the pan and push the cake out. Use a spatula to lift the cake off the base of the pan and cut the cake in half, horizontally through the middle with thread. Fill the cake and sandwich the layers together with the almond topping uppermost. Chill thoroughly before serving.

Cut the cake in wedges to serve.