Almond Cake with Berries

Preparation

1. Make cake:

   Step 1

   Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F. Generously butter a 9- by 2 inch round cake pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess.

   Step 2

   Pulse almonds with 1/3 cup sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer almond sugar to a large bowl and add yolks, flour (1/2 cup), milk, vanilla, and salt, whisking until combined (batter will be thick).

   Step 3

   Beat whites with a pinch of salt in a bowl using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, a little at a time, beating at medium speed, then beat at high speed until whites hold stiff, glossy peaks.

   Step 4

   Fold about one third of whites into batter to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.

   Step 5

   Pour batter into cake pan and bake until cake is springy to the touch and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool 10 minutes.

2. Make berry syrup while cake is baking:

   Step 6

   Bring water and sugar to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cool syrup 20 minutes, then stir in lemon juice and almond extract. Gently stir in berries.

3. Step 7

   Arrange cake, right side up, on a plate and spoon berries over top, then slowly pour fruit syrup evenly over cake. Dust with confectioners sugar if desired.