Torte Sue: Almond, Honey and Prune Cake

Yesterday, my friend Sue helped me sort through some things rolling-around in my brain. I have a habit of caring too much about too many things. Especially when it involves people I care about or some sort of injustice. This creates stress. Although it would be easier to care less, it isn't who I am. Instead, I do things to relax; cooking being one thing that always puts me into a calm and reflective mood.

I decided to bake Sue something special to say thanks for the help. I love Catalan hazelnut cake, but the shop didn't have the hazelnuts. Instead, I walked out with almond meal and prunes; a craving. I have also been diagnosed with an iron deficiency and it turns out these two things are high in iron. Random cake items that my body is telling me to consume!!! Using the hazelnut cake recipe as a guide, I created Torte Sue.

Warning!! This cake is not for the health conscious. However, you can reduce butter and sugar by 1/4 cup each.

4 big eggs
1 cup sugar
250g butter, room temp cut into pieces
1 tbs honey, preferrably dark honey
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 cup almond meal
Bicarbonate soda
1 1/2 packets prunes

Preheat oven to 180 celcius and grease a cake tin. Line the bottom of the tin with prunes in any arrangement that takes your fancy. Wisk eggs and sugar until light coloured and mousse-like in consistency. Add butter a bit at a time, still whisking, then the honey. Stir through flour and almond meal. Add some milk if batter is too thick. You want it plopping off the spoon. If the eggs are old or you had trouble beating, add 1tsp bicarb. Spoon batter over the top and smooth out. Cook until skewer comes out clean.

This is a rich caramelly cake! It would be great with cream or a cup of tea. I overcooked mine (too busy with Dr Who) and it was still ok- just more caramellised! A fool (Jess)-proof recipe.