Grease and lightly flour three 8x1 1/2 inch round baking pans. Stir together
flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set pans and flour mixture aside.
Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add
sugar, vanilla, and almond extract to butter and beat until fluffy.
Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk, beating on low to medium speed
just until combined.
Thoroughly wash beaters. In a medium mixing bowl beat egg whites until stiff
peaks form (tips stand straight). Gently fold beaten egg whites into batter.
Fold in the 1 1/2 cups pistachio nuts and the orange peel.
Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in a 350 oven for 30-35 minutes or
until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of each cake comes out
clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and
completely cool on wire racks. Frost with White Chocolate Buttercream.
Press remaining pistachio nuts on sides of cake. Cover and store cake in
refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes
before serving. Makes 12 servings.
WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM:
In a medium mixing bowl combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 Tablespoons
all-purpose flour; add the 6 reserved egg yolks. Beat mixture with a wire
whisk until combined; set aside. In a heavy, medium saucepan heat 1 1/2 cups
milk over medium heat just to boiling. Remove from heat. Gradually beat hot
milk into egg mixture with the wire whisk; return entire mixture to saucepan.
Cook over medium heat until bubbly, whisking constantly. Cook for 2 minutes
more. Remove from heat. Add 6 ounces chopped white baking bar, 1 1/2
teaspoons vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Let stand 1 minute; stir
until smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap
to prevent a skin from forming; cool to room temperature. In a medium mixing
bowl beat 1 cup softened butter (no substitutes) on medium to high speed
until fluffy. Add cooled baking bar mixture, one fourth at a time, beating
on low speed after each addition until blended.
