Chef John's Almond Meal Pancakes

Easy Almond 🥐 Cake 😋 I have been craving almond croissants lately but this cake is ten times better because it is less of a hassle and comes together in 10 minutes and only 25 minutes to bake. Full recipe below! Cake: * 4.5 oz almond paste (a little more then half of 7 oz tube) * 1/2 cup sugar * 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened * 3 eggs * 1 tsp almond extract * Optional Orange zest, 1 tbsp * 1/2 cup all purpose flour or almond flour * 1 tsp baking powder * 1/2 tsp salt Topping * 2/3 sliced alm