- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons (4 1/4 sticks; or more) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger
- Unsalted butter (for pan)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup almonds with skins, coarsely chopped
- Special equipment: A nonstick 10″ tube pan with removable bottom
- Simmer 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned bits form, 6-8 minutes. Pour into a 2-cup measuring cup. If needed, add more butter to measure 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons (added butter will melt).
- Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown butter (reserve remaining butter for cake); stir until moist clumps form. Stir in ginger. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 325°. Butter pan generously. Whisk all-purpose flour and next 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat remaining 1 cup browned butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and thick, 2-3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions. Beat in sour cream, milk, and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture just to blend.
- Spoon half of cake batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Scatter 1 cup of topping over. Spoon remaining batter in dollops over; smooth. Add almonds to remaining topping; squeeze to form 1/2″ clumps and scatter evenly over batter in pan.
- Bake until a tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of pan to release cake. Remove pan sides; let cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.