Toucinho Do Céu, translated literally as Bacon from Heaven, is a delicious Portuguese Almond Cake originating in the Guimarães region of Portugal. It is translated as Bacon from Heaven for two reasons, because it uses pork lard to make the cake and secondly, because it is unbelievably delicious. It is one of the most popular and traditional Portuguese desserts typically seen at many restaurants and any festival or event. This is because of its unbelievable flavor coming from such simplicity, making it an integral part of Portuguese dessert making. The sweetness and amazing texture of the almond makes this cake an unbelievable treat for those with a sweet tooth like myself.

Ingredients:
Serves 6 to 8 people
1/2 cup water
1 and 1/4 cups sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 and 3/4 cups (250g) ground almonds, skinless
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing the pan
5 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract (or Amaretto)
1 teaspoon orange zest, finely grated
all-purpose flour, for dusting
2 tablespoons pork lard

Equipment needed
8-inch round cake mold

Directions:
1) Pre-heat the oven to 325ºF. Line the cake mold with parchment paper. Grease with butter
and dust lightly with flour.
2) Bring the water, sugar, salt, and pork lard to a boil in a big saucepan. Add the ground almonds.
3) Stir gently but constantly, over medium-low heat, until the almond mixture starts to thicken and
you can expose the bottom of the pan by stirring, about 2 minutes.
4) Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter. Mix until the butter is melted and
blended well.
5) In a medium bowl, lightly whisk the yolks and eggs. Pour into the almond mixture and mix
with a spatula.
6) Add the amaretto and orange zest and stir well.
7) Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is firm in the center and the top
is lightly golden brown, about 28-30 minutes (if you over bake it, the cake becomes
chewy).
8) Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool.
9) After the cake has cooled for about 20 minutes, invert the cake onto a platter.
10) Lift off the pan, peel off the parchment paper, and invert the cake on a serving plate with the topside up.
11) Cut the cake into wedges. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!