PERSIAN LOVE CAKE

Crumb base:

❚ 300 g (3 cups) almond flour

❚ 185 g (1 cup) superfine sugar

❚ 220 g (1 cup firmly packed) soft brown sugar

❚ 120 g (generous 1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted Cake batter:

❚ 2 eggs, lightly beaten

❚ 250 g (scant 1 cup) natural OR Greek-style yoghurt

❚ 1⁄ tsp salt 8

❚ 1 tsp ground cardamom

❚ 2 tsp rosewater

❚ 25 saffron threads

❚ 4 tbsp flaked almonds

❚ 4 tbsp pistachios, roughly chopped To decorate (optional):

❚ Unsprayed edible rose petals

To serve:

❚ 500 g (2 cups) Greek-style yogurt

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) if using convection (177°C/350°F for conventional). Grease the ring of a 24 cm (9 1/2 inch) springform pan, then line with strips of baking paper. Turn the base upside down, so it no longer has a lip. Place a piece of baking paper over it, then clamp the ring around it to secure.

2. To make the crumb base, combine the almond flour, superfine sugar, brown sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl, and rub together until you have an even, sandy consistency. Divide the mixture in two and tip half into the prepared pan. Using the back of a spoon or a spatula, press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan.

3. To make the cake batter, add the eggs, yogurt, salt, cardamom, rosewater and saffron to the remaining crumb mixture and whisk until there are no lumps. Pour over the crumb base and sprinkle the flaked almonds and pistachios over the top. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden and fully risen – you will know because the top will probably crack a little. If the top is colouring too quickly, cover with foil, then bake for a further 20 minutes. The centre of the cake should spring back when pressed gently. Cool completely, before removing from the pan and cutting to serve.

4. Lovely decoration ideas are edible rose petals, sliced fresh figs and a very light dusting of icing sugar. Serve with a dollop of Greek-style yogurt. Feeds: 12