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.
Hello! Was wondering if anyone had tried freezing this cake? Looking to portion it up for myself to take to work.
Hi Averil, I honestly haven’t tried freezing this cake and can’t really say how this will taste after the fact. If you try that please let us know how it goes!
Will do! Have a lovely day!
Hi Natasha, I am getting to make this cake and wanted to ask if I can substitute agave for sugar to make it glycemically lower? Adore all your recipes. Can’t wait to make this!!!
Hi Leslie, I haven’t tested that so I cannot advise. Here is what one of our readers wrote by using truvia. I hope it helps “For those interested in sugar-free, my niece made the almond cake for Christmas using Truvia. It was delicious! She also added more lemon zest and a small amount of almond extract.”
Hi Natasha,
Is it true that this recipe does not need any baking powder or baking soda? I dont see it being mentioned in the ingredients list?
Hi Ruchira, that is correct! This almond cake relies on the volume of the eggs for leavening
Hi I would like to make this today but in a loaf tin… can I? And can I add some lemon juice to the batter as well ?
I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Omg this cake came out so well and it was delicious
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Aarthi!
I want to make this into a 2 layer cake. What would go well as the filling? The whole cake must be gluten free. Thanks!
Hi Amy, I think a Swiss Meringue Buttercream might also be nice.
Love this recipe
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Ellie!
My mother in-law made this cake and after the first bite I said “I need this recipe” 🙂
Question…
How far in advance can you make this cake? I have guests coming Wednesday and don’t want it to taste stale if its best served same day.
Thanks 🙂
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Melissa! 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
I made the cake. I put lemon extract instead of lemon zest because I didn’t have any lemons on hand. I was going to add orange zest because I use it in everything, but I decided to keep it lemon. I also added vanilla extract, and almond extract. I crushed my own almonds and left the skins on. When I took the cake out of the oven, it fell a little even though it was done baking, but it turned out so springy and fluffy, and so delicious! I garnished it with orange slices and sprinkled a little powdered sugar. It wasn’t too sweet at all. This is an amazing recipe. I would definitely try it again soon 😀
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us Susan!
Can you use lemon juice from fresh lemons instead of zest? How much for a single recipe?
Thank you.
Hi Joan, a few of our readers mentioned adding lemon juice to the batter and enjoyed that.
Can Truvia be used instead of regular sugar?
Hi Bee, I haven’t tested that but here is what one of our readers wrote “my niece made the almond cake for Christmas using Truvia. It was delicious! She also added more lemon zest and a small amount of almond extract.” I hope that helps.
Hi Natasha! I was wondering if I could make this cake with oatmeal instead of almond.
Hi Adrii! I haven’t tested that so I can’t advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Would cherry butter cream pair well with this? I’m considering making this cake for a client. Thank you.
Hi Christy, we typically serve this plain but a buttercream should pair well with this almond cake.
Omg! I made it and it came out just like the one in the picture! Best cake ever! Thank you so much for this recipe!
That’s so awesome Rosie! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
I made this cake for the GOT finale, since lemon cake is Sansa’s favorite and my friend can’t have gluten. I did make a few changes: I used Meyer lemons. The batter was a little thick so I added 2 tsp lemon juice. I wanted to add some more complexity so I added 1 tsp orange blossom water and 1/2 tsp almond extract. It was a very humid day so I added 1/4 tsp cream of tartar to the egg whites to make sure the cake would rise and hold its structure well. I wanted a thicker cake so I used an 8 in cake pan, cook time stayed the same. I docked the cake then brushed it liberally with lemon simple syrup. Since I topped the cake with thin candied lemon zest strands, I left the almond slices out. I still used the powdered sugar. The rustic yet beautiful and tasty topping made more of a Winterfell style lemon cake than a Red Keep style 😉. I definitely prefer it over icing. The cake was an all around success. The few crumbs that were left were scrapped off. Thanks!!!
Hi Dorothy, I’m so glad you loved the cake!
I loved this cake. It’s the first time I am making an almond flour cake.
It had a bit of egg my taste to it. Is there anything I am doing wrong or it’s meant to be that way.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
I would like to try making the almond cake as a double batch with icing in between. Do you have any good gluten free icing that is not just butter and sugar? Do you think that Mascarpone cheese and some whipped cream with cocoa and sugar might work?
Hi Jane, I don’t have a recipe for a frosting like what you are describing but if you do, that could work, although I’m not a big fan of combining lemon and chocolate. I think a Swiss Meringue Buttercream might also be nice.
You are so right. I must have been thinking almonds and chocolate combination. I totally forgot about the lemon part. LOL. The Swiss Meringue Buttercream sounds like a good idea. I will give it a try.
I made filling with mascarpone, sugar and whipped cream, went well. Could also combine with lemon curd. Do not think chocolate would be good.
How would you adjust the recipe or cooking time/temp to make this in mini muffin form?
Hi AJ, I haven’t tested it that way so I can’t advise.
Love this recipe – no dairy or oil and uses up the mountain of almond flour I’ve accumulated from making almond milk! I dehydrate the almond meal in the oven and then blend it to a fine powder in my nutribullet. The brown flecks are fine. 🙂 I only use 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1/2 tsp of stevia for sweetness as well as a handful of raisins. New favourite snack! So quick and easy to whip up
Thanks x
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Clementine! & especially thank you for sharing that process with us!
Con this cake be made the day before? Thank you!
Hi Molly! 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. I hope that helps.
This cake is heaven on earth. It was so simple to make (thank you for the perfect instructions). I added a touch of almond extract and its flavor is amazing. No oil, not butter and gluten free…..no one is going to believe it when I serve it at my next dinner party. Yum yum yum.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Derek!
Can I leave lemon zest out?
Hi Mary, since this recipe is so simple, you would have to replace it with something else for added flavor. You might try doubling the vanilla extract instead. The zest is not overpowering here though and it complements the almond flavor very well.
I’ve been baking for about 7 years and using all kinds of recipes online but it’s the first time I’ve been moved to write a review for the recipe. This recipe was as it promised! Easy. And I needed that because it was my first time baking an almond flour based cake, and had no idea how to work with it. For a birthday no less! It was so very fluffy, which came as a surprise. I was trying to make it healthier so I used lower GI coconut sugar, which works for 1-1 substitution. And I topped it with a raspberry compote which worked well.
Thank you so much for that feedback Jalelah! It’s so good to know this works with coconut sugar! I’ so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Hi Natasha,
I’m going to try out your recipe. I was wondering about the baking powder since you don’t use in the recipe. As you are a baker, can you explain why because I am curious and would love to learn why 🙂
Hi Nadia, this almond cake relies on the volume of the eggs for leavening.