French Almond Cake (Amandier)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) with a rack in the middle. Line the bottom of an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter.
2. In a small bowl, combine sugar and orange zest, rubbing with fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant.
3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs with the orange sugar until foamy.
4. Stir in almond flour and salt, then mix in melted butter, crème fraîche, and almond extract until just incorporated.
5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle sliced almonds evenly on top.
6. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes before removing from the pan.
8. Once completely cool, dust with icing sugar before serving.