Irish Coffee Cake

Directions

1. 1
   CAKE:
2. 2
   Beat butter with sugar until fluffy.
3. 3
   Beat in eggs, one at a time.
4. 4
   Dissolve espresso powder in vanilla, beat into butter mixture.
5. 5
   Mix flour, almonds, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture.
6. 6
   Spread batter in a greased 8-inch round cake pan.
7. 7
   Bake in 350°F oven for 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.
8. 8
   Cool on rack for 5 minutes.
9. 9
   Run knife around edge of cake to separate from pan; turn out onto rack, let cool completely.
10. 10
    COFFEE SYRUP:
11. 11
    In a saucepan, bring sugar and coffee to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, boil for 1 minute.
12. 12
    Remove from heat and stir in whiskey.
13. 13
    Return the cooled cake to the baking pan, poke holes all over top with a toothpick or skewer.
14. 14
    Pour coffee syrup over cake. Let cool for 1 hour or until syrup is absorbed.
15. 15
    Remove from pan; place on serving plate.
16. 16
    TOPPING:
17. 17
    Whip cream with whiskey and sugar, pipe along the top edge of the cake.
18. 18
    Garnish with coffee beans!
19. 19
    Prep time does not include cooling time.