Directions

• Heat oven to 400F. Coat a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch pan with cooking spray. Line bottom with waxed or parchment paper; spray paper.
• Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in mixer bowl with whisk attachment on high speed until foamy. Beating constantly, add 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar, 2 Tbs at a time, beating after each addition until sugar is dissolved before adding the next. Continue beating until whites are glossy and stand in soft peaks.
• Beat egg yolks in clean mixer bowl on high speed until thick and lemon-colored, 35 minutes. Gradually beat in remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar until pale yellow and sugar is dissolved. Beat in almond extract, vanilla, and salt.
• Mix almonds and flour in small bowl; sprinkle evenly over egg whites. Add yolk mixture. Fold gently but thoroughly until color is uniform and no streaks of white remain. Do not stir. Pour into prepared pan; spread evenly.
• Bake in 400F oven until center springs back when lightly tapped with finger, 1012 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make syrup. Heat sugar and water in small saucepan to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 1 minute. Let cool. Stir in liqueur, if desired.
• Sprinkle clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Loosen cake from sides of pan with knife. Invert cake onto towel; carefully peel off waxed paper. Trim all cake edges with serrated knife. Brush syrup evenly on hot cake. Roll up cake, starting from short end and rolling towel in with cake. Cool wrapped cake roll, seam-side down on wire rack.
• Carefully unroll cooled cake; remove towel. Spread evenly with 1 cup frosting; re-roll cake. Place seam-side down on platter. Cover with 1 cup frosting, using small spatula to create tree-bark effect.