This is the easiest almond cake with just 4 main ingredients. This cake has a soft, moist crumb and is lightly sweet with a pop of lemon flavor. You won’t believe it is a grain free and gluten free cake recipe!
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This almond cake comes together quickly and is perfect for unexpected company or satisfying the evening sweet tooth. My mother particularly loved this recipe and no matter how old you are, when your Mom is impressed, it’s a big deal :).
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One of my readers, Yana P. wrote in and shared this Calabrian Walnut Cake with us and since there is a Walnut allergy in the family, we made it (even simpler) into an almond flour cake and changed the proportions. I made it 3 times in 1 week and it disappeared fast every single time. Its a keeper!
Watch How to Make Almond Cake:
The texture of this almond cake is so soft and fluffy, you would never guess it is made with finely ground almonds.You can also make a double batch and create a stunning two-layer cake since it bakes up level and is sturdy enough to stack. This would make an amazing gluten free birthday cake!!
Ingredients for Easy Almond Cake:
Literally all you need to make this cake are 4 main ingredients: almond flour, eggs, sugar and lemon zest. I have tested this recipe with and without the sliced almonds over the top and it works both ways. (See exact measurements and print the recipe below)
How to Measure Almond Flour Correctly:
Spoon almond flour into a dry ingredients measuring cup and level off the top with the flat edge of a knife. Do not compress the almond meal into the cup or you may end up with up to 50% more flour! Read all of our tips and tricks for how to measure accurately for baking.
How to Separate Eggs and Bring to Room Temperature:
To separate eggs, you can either use an egg separator or the shells of your egg if you get a clean break on the shell. It is easier to separate eggs while they are cold. To do that, separate eggs then cover and leave at room temperature no more than 30-60 minutes. You could also separate them and place into separate small bowls and set the egg whites over a larger bowl with warm water so the bowl with the egg white warms up within 5-10 minutes.
Almond Cake Recipe Printable:
Almond Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Almond Cake Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour, * measured correctly
- 4 eggs, separated, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest, grated from 1 large lemon
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- Confectioners sugar and lemon slices for garnish, optional
Instructions
Prep:
- Grease/butter a 9" cake pan or 9" springform pan. Line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
Almond Cake Recipe Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar. Beat with an electric hand mixer on high speed 3 minutes or until thick, creamy and lightened in color. Add 1 1/2 cups almond flour and 1 Tbsp lemon zest and use a spatula to fold and stir together until incorporated. Wash and dry attachments from the mixer.
- In a second large mixing bowl, add 4 egg whites and beat together until stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes). Fold the egg whites 1 heaping spoonful at a time into the almond batter, folding with each addition just until incorporated and scraping from the bottom of the bowl to ensure batter has an even consistency.
- Once all the egg whites are incorporated and batter is even in consistency (do not over-mix), transfer batter to the prepared baking pan and sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup sliced almonds. Bake at 350˚F for 30 minutes or until top is firm.
- Let cake rest in the pan 15 minutes then run a thin spatula around the sides and invert it onto your hand then place it right side up on the rack. Let cool to room temperature and garnish with powdered sugar and lemon slices if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Almond Flour Recipes you will LOVE:
- Almond Nutella Cake – flavor explosion gluten free indulgence
- Raspberry Macarons – gluten free cookies with raspberry filling
- Almond Croissants – incredible French bakery style filling
Q: What are your very favorite almond flour recipes or gluten free recipes? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below! We are always looking for new ideas.
I wish that the almond flour measurement was given in grams, almond flour can be clumpy and measuring with a measuring cup feels very imprecise. I used 168g of Bob’s Red Mill almond flour since they list 112g/cup on their website and it came out way too thick 🙁
Hello! Have you tried this? Click jump to recipe, then click Metric to see the ingredients in grams.
Do you ever bake by weight instead of volume? I find it more precise and easier. 1 cup of almond flour is 100 grams. I’m going to try your cake by weight – it looks delicious and I love that the amount of sugar is minimal. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Wendy! Yes, I do sometimes. The recipe card has a metric button you can click on to convert the recipe.
I have made this easy cake many times. I have used lemon or orange peel. Always good. I have also served it with a side of whipped cream and berries. Thank you.
Fantastic recipe! Easy n tasty! Thanks Natasha!
Can I use the same recipe in 9 inches cake pan .? If not how much amount of the ingredients should I increase ?
Thanks
Hi Madhu! We use a 9” cake pan or springform pan for this recipe.
I have been making many of your recipes and love all and enjoy making them. Have made this cake a few times and always turns out great. Want to ask if I have to make it for more number of people, then can I double the quantity of the recipe and use the same 9” cake pan and only increasing the bake time ?
I’m glad to hear that! Doubling the quantity of the recipe using the same 9-inch cake pan can be tricky. Instead of doubling the recipe in a 9-inch pan, you might want to use a larger cake pan (like a 10-inch or 11-inch) to accommodate the increased batter. This will allow the cake to bake more evenly and avoid an undercooked center then adjust the baking time.
Can I double the quantity of the recipe and use the same 9” cake pan?
Hi Shibani, I haven’t tested that to advise, I worry it will overflow and you will need to adjust bake time.
Love this recipe, made it many times and always used brown sugar and probably less than 1/2 cup. But I was wondering if I can make it with coconut sugar instead?
Hi Nena! More than one of our readers reported great results substituting with coconut sugar. Glad you love the recipe!
Hello Natasha. Would you advise making this in cupcake forms instead of a standard cake shape?
Hi Olga, I haven’t tried that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes!
Hi Natasha! i love your recipes & I have made this one so many times & it turns out absolutely perfect buttt it has a very strong egg smell (guests have said the same thing). any ideas on how I can reduce this?
Thank you! It could be because of several reasons but I would make sure that you are using fresh eggs. Do not overmix too as it can enhance the egg smell if overmixed. Make sure that it’s bakead thoroughly.
Hi Natasha,
Can I add a little baking powder for it to rise more, if so how much should I add. Thanks
Hi Sue! I have to personally experiment on that to give you an accurate measurement and advise. I have not tried that yet.
Love this recipe, simple and delicious. I did have a question though.
What’s the total weight of the cake once baked ?
Hi! I’m so glad you love the recipe. I did not weigh the cake once it was done so I am not sure how much it weighs, I’m sorry.
Very soft and tasty. Wonderful recipe. Thanks Natasha for all your great recipes.
I’m an experienced baker and loooove this one bc it’s amazingly fast & easy, GF + healthier bc no butter, perfectly tender & slightly dense texture, and not too sweet. Made as written + 1 tsp almond extract. Will be making again & again!
Thank you for your review, Lin! I’m so happy you found a new favorite on my blog.
Absolutely heavenly delicious <3
My 2nd review, this time i didn’t substitute the sugar for allulose and as I learned from my last 2 times making this to check the cake every 5 minutes so it doesn’t burn! This might be a regular cake I make now! Best almond flour cake recipe so far.
That’s great, Alie. Thank you for sharing.