Beyond-Easy Fruit Torte
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon vanilla
Fresh fruit, to cover
Pinch of cardamom (optional)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking dish (with non-stick spray or grease and flour it).
In the bowl of your electric mixer, or large bowl if using hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to incorporate each egg into the batter prior to adding the next egg. Add the flour, baking powder, vanilla and any other flavoring you choose (citrus zest, cardamom, cinnamon, etc.).
Pour half of the batter into prepared pan. Distribute fruit all over. Be liberal!
Spread the remaining batter over the fruit. Sprinkle with sugar, if you like.
Bake for about 1 hour. The torte will become this beautiful golden color, but PLEASE test your torte BEFORE you decide if it is done. I say 1 hour, because that is how long mine usually takes, but our ovens are different, our pans are different, so PLEASE check for doneness. The cake is completely done when a cake tester (I use bamboo skewers), comes out clean, or a little crumbly.
Happy baking everyone!
