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Delightful Almond Cake

Featured in Sweet Treats Worth the Calories.

This take on Ina Garten's almond cake uses simple ingredients to create a moist, gluten-free delight. Almond flour and pure maple syrup make it rich, and a dash of avocado or olive oil keeps it tender. Finished off with crispy toasted almonds and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Ready in half an hour and serves 6. Awesome for tea, dessert, or a quick breakfast. Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, so it fits specialty diets perfectly.
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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:52:31 GMT
A decadent almond cake slice beautifully plated. Pin it
A decadent almond cake slice beautifully plated. | cookwithtaste.com

This moist and luxurious almond flour cake offers amazing texture with the natural sweetness of maple syrup. Every bite showcases a soft, flavorful crumb packed with nutty almond notes, perfect for any table setting.

We've made this cake so many times it's now our go-to favorite. When we served it at our last party, everyone couldn't stop talking about how rich it felt and how the sweetness was spot-on.

Key Ingredients

  • Top-notch Almond Flour: Go for the fine-ground blanched kind for the right feel. When it's fresh, you'll smell that sweet nutty scent
  • Almond Slices: Look for ones cut the same size with light cream color
  • Rich Maple Syrup: Pick grade A dark for the deepest taste
  • Eggs Not Cold: They need to be room temp so everything mixes right
  • Good Oil: Light olive or avocado oil keeps things moist
  • Real Extracts: Natural almond and vanilla ones make flavors pop
  • New Baking Powder: You need this for a good rise
  • Sea Salt (Fine): This cuts the sweet and boosts flavor

Cooking Steps

Oven Setup:
Put your rack in the middle and warm the oven to 350°F for even baking.
Getting Almonds Ready:
Brown your sliced almonds until they turn golden, but keep an eye on them.
Mixing Order:
Mix all wet stuff first, dry stuff separately, then put them together.
Last Steps:
Pour your mix into your pan, sprinkle with toasted almonds and a bit of salt.
A slice of cake with almonds on a plate. Pin it
A slice of cake with almonds on a plate. | cookwithtaste.com

Don't mess up the almond extract amount - just a tiny bit too much or too little can totally change how your cake tastes.

Time Management

Toast those almonds first thing while you're getting everything else ready. This keeps things moving smoothly and makes sure they have that perfect flavor when you need them.

Ways to Serve

Add some fresh berries for bright colors and a bit of tang. You might also want some plain whipped cream or a little warm honey drizzled on top to make it look extra nice.

Mix It Up

Try swapping in toasted hazelnuts or pistachios for something different. Adding some lemon zest or a bit of cardamom can bring new flavors while keeping the cake just as fancy.

Keeping It Fresh

Keep it in a sealed container for up to three days at room temp. If it's really humid where you live, stick it in the fridge but let it warm up before eating for the best taste and feel.

A slice of almond cake on a plate. Pin it
A slice of almond cake on a plate. | cookwithtaste.com

This cake always turns out amazing, making it perfect for casual get-togethers or fancy dinner parties. The way the flavors and textures come together makes this a standout cake you'll want to make again and again.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap maple syrup out for something else?
Totally! Agave nectar or honey work as great swaps for maple syrup, just match the amounts.
→ How should I store leftover cake?
Keep it in an airtight container on the counter for three days, or store it in the fridge for up to a week.
→ Why do I need to toast almond slices?
It amps up their nutty flavor and gives the top a great crunch.
→ Can this cake be frozen?
For sure! Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze it for up to three months.
→ Do I need a springform pan to bake this?
Nope! An 8-inch round pan works just as well. Just use parchment paper for easy removal.

Delightful Almond Cake

This classy almond cake combines almond flour with maple syrup and gets topped with crunchy golden almonds. Ideal for a light dessert or a sweet breakfast treat.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Milly

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Dry Ingredients

01 1/4 tsp salt
02 2 cups finely ground almond flour (blanched)
03 2 tsp baking powder

→ Wet Ingredients

04 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
05 1 teaspoon almond extract
06 2 tbsp olive or avocado oil
07 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
08 3 large eggs

→ Toppings

09 A sprinkle of powdered sugar (if you want)
10 1/4 cup raw, sliced almonds (plus more for garnishing if needed)

Instructions

Step 01

Turn on the oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch round or springform pan with cooking spray, so nothing sticks later.

Step 02

Scatter raw almonds on a small tray, bake for five minutes, and keep an eye on them. Once they're toasted and golden, take them out and cool.

Step 03

In a medium bowl, mix salt, baking powder, and almond flour thoroughly until everything's combined.

Step 04

Whisk together the eggs, maple syrup, oil, and extracts (vanilla and almond) in a large bowl until smooth.

Step 05

Pour the dry stuff into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix it up till you don't see any lumps.

Step 06

Pour the batter into your greased pan. Evenly sprinkle the cooled toasted almonds over the top.

Step 07

Bake for 20-25 minutes. It's ready when the top looks golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 08

Let it rest in the pan for a bit to cool. Sprinkle some extra almonds and powdered sugar on top before enjoying, if you'd like.

Notes

  1. Perfect for breakfast, a sweet treat, or even a side dish.
  2. Uses healthy options like almond flour and maple syrup.
  3. You can choose between avocado or olive oil.

Tools You'll Need

  • 8-inch round or springform baking pan
  • One small baking sheet
  • A medium-sized mixing bowl
  • A large bowl for combining wet ingredients
  • Whisk for blending

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains tree nuts (almonds).
  • Includes eggs as well.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 263
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~