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!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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 :).
We added our Amazon affiliate links for the tools we used to make this recipe.
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.
Hi, can I top this with a caramel almond topping and then bake it? Will that affect the rise of the sponge underneath?
Hi Noor, I honestly haven’t tried that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
i watched the video and looks so easy to do! question: how long would a cake keep if left out wrapped in saran wrap?
Hi Martina, It will keep for a day or two at room temperature. If it is going to be in a warm area, I would cover and refrigerate to be safe. Before serving, bring to room temperature then dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Almond cake looks wonderful. Will it freeze well
Hi Iana, I haven’t tested freezing that but here is what one of our readers wrote ” It was beautiful! I let it sit overnight under a tea towel and the next morning I wrapped it in parchment and aluminum foil and put it in a large Ziploc baggie. I then put it in the freezer where it sat for 3 days. I took it out the night before and let it defrost on the counter for 7 hours before we were going to eat it. It was amazing! I will be making this recipe quite a bit. My mother-in-law is very sensitive to gluten and she will love this! Thank you for the recipe” I hope that helps.
Re freezing, does anyone know why it is good to let the cake sit under a tea towel for a night before freezing it? The cake is cooling on the counter at this very moment. Yippee!
Steam turns to ice if frozen too soon
I used fairly coarse ground almonds, from Trader Joe’s, plus orange zest and 1/4 tsp almond essence. Delicious!
Very nice! Thank you for sharing that with us, Susan.
The recipe for red velvet cake and almond cake amazing I love watching you cook amazing recipes
Hi Tazmin, I’m glad you enjoyed those recipes! Thank you for sharing your good feedback with us.
I’m going to try this tonight. I can’t wait. Thank you for all you’re recipes. You’re awesome!
You’re welcome, Addie! I hope you love this one too!
Hi Natasha! Anxious to make this recipe. Am diabetic and wondering if I could use a sugar substitute! .
Hi Ann, I haven’t tried a substitute for this recipe but here’s what one of our readers wrote “I substituted the sugar for Swerve granulated & powdered sugar and it came out great ! Didn’t have a round pan, but square worked just fine.” I hope this helps
Could you give measurements in grams instead of cups
Hi Jill, click on Metric in the recipe card and you will see the gram measurements.
There are many conversion tables online. Save one to your photos.
Don’t we need to add baking soda and baking powder like regular cakes?
Hi Bharathi, I suggest following the recipe as written. It relies on the volume of the eggs to rise.
Absolutely amazing Natasha… thank you for the recipe. How long can you keep this( not that it lasted long in my household )
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Anuji!
This is absolutely amazing, thanks Natasha
Thank you so much!
Dear Natasha, this cake is so delicious! Everyone in the family love it! They’re asking for more! Thanks so much. Edina from Sydney Australia
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hello Natasha, I made this cake quite few times as my husband is sensitive to Gluten.
I have a question – can we freeze the cake? If yes, please let me know the process. Thank you!
Hi Bharani, I haven’t tested freezing that but here is what one of our readers wrote ” It was beautiful! I let it sit overnight under a tea towel and the next morning I wrapped it in parchment and aluminum foil and put it in a large Ziploc baggie. I then put it in the freezer where it sat for 3 days. I took it out the night before and let it defrost on the counter for 7 hours before we were going to eat it. It was amazing! I will be making this recipe quite a bit. My mother-in-law is very sensitive to gluten and she will love this! Thank you for the recipe” I hope that helps.
First time making a cake with almond flour! It’s soooo good! I added more lemon zest and a handful of frozen blueberries!! Delicious!! Next time maybe I’ll add cocoa powder and strawberries!! Natasha’s recipes are always the best!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
I love all of Natasha’s recipes but this is my favourite! The cake is very light but the flavour is so complex and delicious, even though the cake only has 5 ingredients. I ran out of lemons so I just used 1/2 a tablespoon of lemon extract. Thank you Natasha!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
It was unbelievably great. I love it and I added to my list.
Thanks for your absolutely amazing and delicious receipt.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Maryam!
Hi Natasha.
I made the cake and turned out very good. I like it a lot. The only thing, I don’t like any citrus taste in my pastry. Any suggestions what I can substitute zest with?
Thank you.
Hi Marina, I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the cake. I have not tried any other substitute aside from the citrus zest to advise. You can try to omit it from the recipe and see how it goes.
Made this today. It’s delicious. Nice and moist and airy. Will definitely make again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Made this it was super easy and the cake came out soft and moist and was so good
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gayatri!
Doubled the recipe to use up ground almonds left over from Christmas baking. Did not separate the eggs, and beat the whole eggs with the sugar 5-10 minutes, which increased the volume considerably. Added the ground almonds, zest and almond extract by hand. Baked it
in a 9.5 x 14.5″ pan.
Perfect! Thanks for the recipe.
Glad you loved the result, Trudy. Thanks for sharing that with us!