Almond Cake with Cardamom and Pistachio

a.k.a. Persian Love Cake.  I found out about this type of cake (and its "legend") while trying to find something to make for my hubby for Valentine's day.  Many of the recipes I came across contained rose water, but given my last experience with that ingredient, I didn't want to go that route (I'll brave it again eventually).  I was delighted to come across this one--it looked just right. And oh, it ever was!  Hubby loved it, so it was a happy Valentine's day indeed :D

Link to original recipe:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013089-almond-cake-with-cardamom-and-pistachio

Ingredients:

1/2 c. canola oil (plus additional for oiling the baking pan)
7 large eggs, separated
1 c. sugar
1 T. almond extract
2 tsp. ground cardamom
420 grams/14.8 oz. almond flour/meal (you can grind up almonds in food processor for this, but be careful not to grind too much or you will get paste)
powdered sugar for dusting
chopped pistachios for garnish
optional: drizzle frosting to top (this is the pink that is in the picture, as I tinted it for Valentine's)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.  Oil a 9" round cake pan (I think mine is actually 9.5") and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar.

3. Whisk in oil and almond extract.

4. Using a stand mixer with whisk attachment, whisk egg whites until stiff but not dry.

5. While egg whites are whisking, add the cardamom and almond flour to the egg yolk mixture/bowl and stir to combine.

6. Gently stir in 1/3 of the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture, then use a rubber spatula to gently fold in remaining 2/3 of egg whites.  Batter will be thick and heavy.

7. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick inserted in middle of pan comes out clean, around 40-50 minutes (mine was done at 40 min.)

8. Allow to cool on rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and finish cooling on rack.

9. Dust with confectioner's sugar and top with pistachios (and drizzle frosting, if desired--I used a thinned version of homemade vanilla frosting).

10. Slice up and enjoy!