Swedish Visiting Cake Recipe
Introduction
Swedish Visiting Cake is a delightful treat known for its tender almond-flavored base topped with a crunchy almond meringue. This cake is perfect for sharing with friends and family and pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients
- Topping:
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 3 large egg whites (save the yolks for another use)
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
- Cake base:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- Garnish:
- Confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. The parchment paper helps lift the cake for neat slicing.
- Step 2: Prepare the topping by putting the egg whites in a medium bowl and breaking them up slightly with a fork. Add almond extract and confectioner’s sugar, blending together. The mixture will be lumpy.
- Step 3: Gently stir in the sliced almonds, mixing carefully to avoid breaking them. Set the topping aside.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, eggs, almond extract, vanilla extract, and salt until pale and slightly thickened, about a couple of minutes.
- Step 5: Fold the flour into the egg mixture using a silicone spatula, then fold in the melted and cooled butter until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Using your fingers, drop small bits of the almond topping evenly over the surface. Smooth the topping down with an offset spatula to cover the edges and corners.
- Step 7: Bake in the center of the oven for 28 to 32 minutes. The top should turn golden and the center may be slightly soft. A toothpick inserted should come out without wet batter. Avoid overbaking.
- Step 8: Let the cake cool for 15 to 20 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment paper and cool completely on a rack.
- Step 9: Dust generously with confectioner’s sugar before slicing. Optionally, serve with whipped cream and berries for extra indulgence.
Tips & Variations
- For a richer flavor, lightly toast the sliced almonds before mixing them into the topping.
- You can substitute almond extract with orange or lemon extract for a different aroma.
- If you prefer a denser cake, reduce the butter slightly to 1/3 cup.
- Serve the cake with fresh berries or a dollop of crème fraîche to complement its sweet almond notes.
Storage
Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain the crisp topping. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slices briefly in the oven at a low temperature to refresh the topping’s crunch.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend with a 1:1 ratio. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum or add it separately for structure.
What can I do with the leftover egg yolks?
Egg yolks can be used in custards, homemade mayonnaise, or added to rich sauces. Alternatively, store them refrigerated for up to two days or freeze for longer storage.
PrintSwedish Visiting Cake Recipe
Swedish Visiting Cake is a delightful almond-flavored treat featuring a moist cake base topped with a sweet almond meringue-like layer. This classic Scandinavian dessert combines the richness of melted butter and eggs with the crunch of sliced almonds, making it perfect for afternoon tea or special occasions. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, it offers a balance of soft, tender crumb and crunchy topping dusted with confectioner’s sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings (one 9×9 inch cake cut into 9 squares) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients
Topping
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 3 large egg whites (save yolks for another use)
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
Cake Base
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Garnish
- Confectioner’s sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper to allow easy lifting of the cake for neat slicing later.
- Make Topping Mixture: In a medium bowl, lightly break up the egg whites with a fork. Add almond extract and confectioner’s sugar, blending until combined. The mixture will be lumpy. Gently fold in sliced almonds carefully to avoid breaking them. Set aside.
- Prepare Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, eggs, almond extract, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is pale in color and slightly thickened — this takes about 2 minutes of vigorous whisking.
- Fold in Dry and Fat Ingredients: Using a silicone spatula, gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just incorporated. Then fold in the melted and cooled unsalted butter, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Assemble Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading evenly. Using your fingers, drop small bits of the almond topping over the surface of the batter. Smooth the topping using an offset spatula to spread it evenly to the edges and corners.
- Bake: Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 28-32 minutes. The top should turn golden, and the center might still be slightly soft but a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to maintain moistness.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes. Then lift it out using the parchment paper and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Just before serving, dust generously with confectioner’s sugar. Optionally serve with whipped cream and berries.
Notes
- Save the egg yolks for other recipes like custards or homemade mayonnaise.
- Using parchment paper makes slicing and serving the cake much easier and neater.
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to keep the cake tender.
- Ensure the butter used in the batter is melted and properly cooled to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Serve the cake with whipped cream or fresh berries for a delicious accompaniment.
- The almond extract in both the topping and batter provides a distinct almond flavor that defines this cake.
Keywords: Swedish visiting cake, almond cake, Scandinavian dessert, almond topping cake, easy almond cake recipe

