Basque Cake

Step 1: TO MAKE THE PASTRY*

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 3: Sift together flours and baking powder.

Step 4: Stir in ground almonds.

Step 5: In a food processor combine flour mixture with cold butter.

Step 6: Pulse several times until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Step 7: In a small bowl whisk together whole egg, egg yolks and sugar until smooth.

Step 8: Add to flour mixture and pulse again until mixture comes together.

Step 9: Turn onto a lightly floured surface.

Step 10: Divide dough in half.

Step 11: Roll out each half into quarter inch thick 10-inch circles.

Step 12: Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

Step 13: TO MAKE THE PASTRY CREAM*

Step 14: In a medium bowl whisk together first amount of milk, egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth.

Step 15: Heat second amount of milk, sugar and vanilla in a heavy bottomed pot.

Step 16: When this mixture comes to a boil, slowly pour half of it over the egg yolk mixture while whisking briskly.

Step 17: Return mixture back to pot.

Step 18: Continue whisking 4 to 5 minutes until smooth and boiling.

Step 19: Remove from heat.

Step 20: Add ground almonds.

Step 21: Cover surface with plastic wrap.

Step 22: Cool to room temperature

Step 23: TO ASSEMBLE*

Step 24: Line a flan ring with one layer of the rolled pastry.

Step 25: Pour in pastry cream and then top with second layer of pastry.

Step 26: Place flan ring on baking sheet

Step 27: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until golden and set.

Step 28: Sour Cherry Sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.

Step 29: Reduce to simmer and reduce by half.

Step 30: Strain and serve warm over cake.