Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 stick plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)
• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 heatproof rabbit figurine or whole almond (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool, then finely grind in a food processor. (Leave the oven on.)
2. In a large bowl, whip the butter with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar and cream together until thoroughly combined. Add 1 egg and the egg yolk and mix until blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Fold in 1/2 cup ground almonds, the flour, almond extract, vanilla extract and orange liqueur with a rubber spatula. Stir the rabbit figurine into the filling, if using.
3. Unfold the puff pastry on a floured surface and roll out slightly. Cut 1 piece into an 11-inch circle and the other piece into a 12-inch circle. Place the 11-inch round on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Beat the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon cold water. Brush the edge of the pastry with the egg wash. Spread the almond filling in an even layer in the center, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Gently lift the 12-inch round and place it over the filling so the edges match up. Press down on all the edges so the egg wash acts as a glue to stick the pastry together. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Brush with any remaining egg wash. Place the cake in the refrigerator to firm up slightly, about 15 minutes.
4. Bake the cake until the pastry is golden brown and puffs up slightly, about 35 minutes. (Tent with foil if the cake is browning too quickly.) Let cool before serving; the cake will shrink as it cools.
5. Photograph by Ryan Liebe