Makes 1 gateau, serves 8-12

Ingredients

Cake

• 12 large egg whites, at room temperature
• a pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/3 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 ½ cups ground, toasted pecans
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting & Filling

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Sauce

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Assemble

• ½ cup ground toasted pecans
• Toasted pecans for garnish

Method

Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
2. Add the egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment
3. Whip on low speed until combined and then turn the mixer to high and whip until stiff peaks form
4. Turn the mixer to medium and mix in the vanilla extract and sugar (adding only 1/4 the sugar at a time), just until combined
5. In a separate bowl, combine the ground pecans, cake flour and baking powder. Whisk until well combined and remove any large lumps of pecans
6. Fold in the pecan mixture very carefully with a rubber spatula in two or three additions. Work carefully so as not to deflate the mix
7. Add the batter to an Angel Food Cake pan and bake at 350 degree F for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean
8. Cool upside-down until completely cool, and slice into three even layers, horizontally, with a serrated knife

Frosting & Filling

1. Whip the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla on high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside
2. Spread the frosting between the layers of the cake and after you stack the layers, spread the remainder of the frosting over the whole cake

Caramel Sauce

1. Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat
2. Add the brown sugar and heavy whipping cream, whisking over the heat until smooth and until the mixture reaches a boil
3. Boil for 2 minutes, whisking constantly
4. Add the vanilla and remove from the heat, allowing it to cool completely before drizzling it over the top of the cake

To Assemble

1. Press the ground pecans into the side of the cake, all the way around
2. Add pecans to the top of the cake in a circular design
3. Refrigerate the cake in the fridge for 2 hours before serving
4. Remove and let come to room temperature for 20 minutes. Drizzle with the caramel sauce before slicing. Any additional caramel sauce may be served over individual slices