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    Home » Recipes » Cake Recipes

    Swedish Tosca Cake (Toscakaka)

    Published: Jun 11, 2021 · Modified: Jul 10, 2021 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Swedish Tosca Cake (Toscakaka) is the delicious coming together of opposites: A rich, crispy layer of caramelized almonds on top and a moist, tender almond sponge cake underneath.

    An easy Nordic baking project for a busy afternoon. Brew a pot of coffee and let's get started!

    A slice of cake topped with caramelized onions next to a fork and a cup of coffee.

    Why This Recipe Works

    Tosca Cake is a fika (coffee break) favorite and belongs in the repertoire of anyone with an interest in Nordic/Scandinavian baking. Or really just anyone who loves a good cake! This recipe works because:

    • The addition of almond flour to the cake makes for a particularly moist and tender crumb;
    • The topping is chock full of toasty, caramel-y almonds that provide a satisfying crunch to contrast the softness of the cake; and
    • It's relatively quick and easy! The cake can be mixed and baked in under an hour. Add a little cooling time and a cup of coffee and you are good to go.

    The Ingredients

    For the Cake:

    Labeled ingredients for Swedish Tosca Cake

    For the Almond Topping:

    Labeled ingredients for Swedish Tosca Cake Topping.

    Nothing too unusual here with the exception of the almond flour added to the cake which results in a very moist and tender crumb. The topping is bolstered by a final sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The crunchy salt crystals provided that delightful sweet/salty combination (think salted caramel) that balance out the sweetness of the topping.

    For detailed amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card below.

    How to Make This Recipe

    1. Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and making sure the oven rack is in the middle position. Grease and flour a 9-inch springform pan. Set the pan aside while you prepare the cake batter.
    Buttered and floured springform pan.
    1. Melt the butter on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add the milk to the melted butter and stir to combine.
    2. Whisk the flour, almond flour, salt and baking powder together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
    Melted butter in a measuring cup.
    Flour in a bowl with a whisk.
    1. Beat the sugar and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment until thick in texture and pale yellow in color, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the vanilla.
    2. With the mixer speed on low, add one-third of the butter/milk mixture immediately followed by one-third of the dry ingredients. Repeat this process 2 more times, ending with the final third of the dry ingredients. Mix until the ingredients JUST come together.
    Eggs and sugar whipped together in a bowl.
    Yellow cake batter in a bowl with a rubber spatula.
    1. Transfer the batter to the prepared springform pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. LEAVE THE CAKE IN THE PAN AND Let it cool slightly while you prepare the topping.
    Yellow cake batter in a cake pan.
    Baked yellow cake in a pan.
    1. Turn the oven setting to broil and leave the oven rack in the middle position. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the foaming subsides, add the almonds and salt. Saute, stirring constantly, until the almonds just begin to turn brown. Add the cream and the sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and turns a lighter shade of tan, about 2-3 minutes.
    Sliced almonds cooking in butter in a skillet with a wooden spoon.
    Cake with almond topping in a pan.
    1. Pour the hot almond mixture over the top of the cake and spread evenly over the surface. Transfer to the oven and broil until the topping is golden brown and bubbly. This will only take about a minute so keep a close eye on it!
    Swedish Tosca Cake in a pan.
    1. Sprinkle with sea salt and allow the cake to cool to room temperature in the pan. Carefully remove the sides and serve!
    Three slices of Swedish Tosca Cake on a white surface.

    Expert Tips

    • Don't overmix the cake batter. That leads to a tough rather than tender cake. Mix on low speed until everything JUST comes together. I will often turn the mixer off while some streaks of flour are still visible and finish mixing with a rubber spatula by hand.
    • Bake the cake all the way through. Cakes bake more quickly from the outside in. Be sure the center of the cake is done before removing it from the oven. The center of the cake should be puffed up and level with the sides and a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
    • Leave the cake in the pan after it comes out of the oven. You are going to want the cake in the pan when you add the topping.
    • LEAVE THE OVEN RACK IN THE MIDDLE POSITION AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE TOPPING WHILE IT BROILS. I can't stress this one enough. It will brown VERY quickly. I keep my oven door propped open while it broils so I can watch while it caramelizes. It will only take about a minute and it can go from perfect to burnt within seconds!
    • Run a knife around the outside of the cake prior to removing the outer ring of the springform pan. Just to ensure none of the topping or cake is sticking to the sides.
    • Don't forget to sprinkle with sea salt! This little touch adds so much flavor and balance to the cake.

    FAQs

    Where does the name Tosca Cake come from?

    There are two prevailing theories: The first is that it was named after Puccini's opera, Tosca, and the second is that it is called a Tosca Cake because it is "in the style" of an Italian almond cake.

    What is a springform pan and do I have to use one?

    A springform pan is a round cake pan with removable sides. It's commonly used for cheesecake, but it is also great to use for cakes like this where you want to add a topping while the cake is still in the pan and serve it right side up (no flipping out of the cake necessary). You could certainly use a regular 9-inch round cake pan instead. Just plan on cutting and serving it straight from the pan.

    How do I store this Swedish Tosca Cake?

    The cake is best the day it is baked, but you can store any leftovers at room temperature for up to 2 days tightly wrapped in plastic.

    A slice of Swedish Tosca Cake with a bite resting on a fork.

    Related Recipes

    Once you've mastered the Tosca Cake, get ready to try one of these other delicious Swedish cakes that go PERFECTLY with your afternoon cup of coffee! I've got several for you here on the blog:

    • Sliced Swedish Almond Cake on a marble plate.
      Simple Swedish Almond Cake (Mandelkaka)
    • Closeup of a slice of kladdkaka on a plate next to a fork and raspberries.
      Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake (Kladdkaka)
    • Close up of a slice of Swedish Apple Cake.
      Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka)

    I hope you give this Swedish Tosca Cake a try the next time you are looking for something sweet and Scandinavian to go with your afternoon fika. It's sure to become a new favorite!

    Recipe

    Close up of a slice of Swedish Tosca Cake.

    Swedish Tosca Cake (Toscakaka)

    A simple, moist yellow cake topped with a layer of crispy caramel and almonds.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Fika
    Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian, Swedish
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 10 slices
    Calories: 463kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Equipment

    • 9 inch springform pan

    Ingredients

    For the Cake:

    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ¼ cup whole milk
    • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons almond flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon fine salt
    • 3 large eggs
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    For the Topping:

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • ¾ cup sliced almonds
    • ⅛ teaspoon fine salt
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
    • Flaky sea salt such as Maldon, for sprinkling
    • Whipped cream for serving optional

    Instructions

    • Warm butter in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until the butter is melted.  Add milk. Stir and set aside to cool.
    • Set the oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter and flour a 9 inch springform pan and set aside.
    • Whisk flour, almond flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl until fully combined.  Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat eggs and sugar together on medium-high speed until light in texture and pale yellow in color, about 2-3 minutes.  Reduce speed to low and add vanilla.
    • Leave mixer speed on low and add ⅓ of the cooled butter and milk mixture followed by ⅓ of the flour mixture and mix until just combined.  Repeat this process two more times ending with final ⅓ of the flour mixture.
    • Transfer the cake batter to prepared springform pan.  Bake until golden brown and a tester poked into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35-45 minutes.  Leave the cake in the pan and set it aside to cool slightly.
    • While the cake is cooling, make the topping.  Set the oven to broil and make sure the oven rack is still in the middle position.  Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add almonds and fine salt and sauté until the almonds are just beginning to brown.  Add the sugar and cream.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil until the mixture is slightly darker tan in color and is starting to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.
    • Pour the topping over the cake and broil until topping is nicely browned and bubbly.  Keep a very close eye on it! This will happen in only a minute or so. I leave the oven door propped open so I can make sure it doesn’t get too dark.  Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with sea salt.  Allow the cake to cool in the pan.
    • Before serving, run a knife in between the cake and the edge of the pan to make sure that it is not sticking before you remove the sides of the springform pan.  Cut into wedges and serve with whipped cream if desired.

    Notes

    The cake is best the day it is baked, but you can store any leftovers at room temperature for up to 2 days tightly wrapped in plastic.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 681IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Swedish Tosca Cake and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Cake Recipes

    • Close up overhead view of White Chocolate Cake with a couple of slices cut.
      Heavenly White Chocolate Cloudberry Cake
    • Overhead view of Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom next to pears and cardamom pods.
      Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom
    • Featured image of Swedish Rulltårta.
      Traditional Swedish Rulltårta (Jelly Roll Cake)
    • Featured image shot of Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling.
      Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling (Swedish Midsummer Cake)

    Comments

    1. Beans says

      March 25, 2023 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      So good I’m obsessed with this cake! My only issue is that I must have a super powerful oven or something because I took mine out after 35 minutes the first time I made it and it was definitely over baked, on my second attempt I took it out a bit after 25 minutes and it was perfect! If you have an extra hot oven just keep an eye on it! Delicious cake though!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        March 31, 2023 at 11:09 am

        So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting!

        Kristi

        Reply
    2. Andy Olcott says

      January 16, 2023 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for a book club brunch. The book was An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good, written by a Swede, and set in Sweden. So, this cake was perfect. It came out exactly as planned and everyone loved it. It looked exactly like the pictures. It tasted great. It was very easy to do. I have baking experience, but not much with cakes. It came out perfectly. Thanks so much!

      I posted it to Reddit too: https://www.reddit.com/r/food/comments/10bzb24/homemade_swedish_tosca_cake/

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        January 23, 2023 at 10:45 am

        Hi Andy,
        How fun that you could incorporate this recipe with your bookclub. I love that! Thanks so much for your comment. I'm happy everyone loved the cake.

        Kristi

        Reply
    3. Hernando says

      October 07, 2022 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      Unforgetable Tosca Cakku !!!!! Will repeat many times !!!

      Greetings from Dragsfjärd in Finland !

      !

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        October 07, 2022 at 8:23 pm

        So happy to hear it! Thanks so much for your feedback!

        Kristi

        Reply
    4. Lillian Henning says

      January 18, 2022 at 9:04 am

      4 stars
      Sliced pears go well on top of this cake while baking

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        January 19, 2022 at 3:37 pm

        Yum! That sounds amazing!

        Kristi

        Reply
    4.75 from 4 votes

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