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Soft Almond Cake

Featured in Sweet Treats You'll Actually Make Twice.

This almond cake from Ina Garten is a gluten-free treat that’s both rich and simple. Almond flour and maple syrup create a natural sweetness, while olive or avocado oil keeps it soft. Completed with toasted almonds and powdered sugar, the cake is delicious and takes just 30 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for six servings, great for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. Naturally gluten- and dairy-free, it suits various diets.
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Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:31:38 GMT
A plated slice of almond cake. Pin it
A plated slice of almond cake. | cookbybook.com

Crafted with premium almond flour and sweetened only with authentic maple syrup, this stunning cake offers an unbelievably juicy, soft texture with wonderful nutty undertones. The mix of toasted almonds and almond extract gives you an amazing scent that makes this treat fitting for any celebration.

Whipping up this cake has turned into something I do every month at my place. Just last weekend, I gave some to my gluten-free neighbor who couldn't believe how filling and tasty each mouthful was without going overboard on sweetness.

Must-Have Tools For Great Results

  • Fine Blanched Almond Flour: Go for fresh, top-notch flour for the best feel and nutty goodness. Good almond flour smells pleasant and nutty, never sour or off
  • Raw Sliced Almonds: Pick evenly sliced bits with no weird colors. Fresh ones should be light cream with no yellow patches
  • Pure Maple Syrup: Go for dark amber type since its rich taste goes great with almond flavors
  • Large Eggs: They need to sit out until they're room temp so everything mixes well and rises evenly
  • Quality Oil: You can use olive or avocado oil - both add moisture without making things heavy
  • Pure Extracts: Make sure your almond and vanilla extracts aren't fake for the most genuine taste
  • Baking Powder: Make sure it's fresh or your cake won't get fluffy
  • Fine Sea Salt: Brings out all the tastes and keeps sweetness in check

Creating Your Stunning Cake

Oven Tips:
Start by putting your rack in the middle and warming to exactly 350°F. Getting this temp right means everything bakes evenly and puffs up nicely.
Get Those Almonds Ready:
Gently toast your sliced almonds till they turn golden, keeping an eye on them so they don't burn. You'll smell when they're just right.
Make Your Mix:
Combine wet stuff separately from dry stuff, making sure each is well mixed before you put them together.
Put It All Together:
Pour your silky batter into the ready pan, scatter toasted almonds on top with a tiny bit of flaky sea salt.
A slice of cake with almonds on a plate. Pin it
A slice of cake with almonds on a plate. | cookbybook.com

The almond extract really makes this recipe special. When I taught my daughter how to bake this cake, I showed her how just a tiny bit turns the flavor from pretty good to totally amazing.

Smart Timing

Getting the almonds toasted ahead of time helps you move faster when mixing the other stuff. Once your almonds are done, you can tackle putting everything together without stopping. This doesn't just make the whole thing quicker but also makes the final taste and texture way better.

Tasty Combos

Enjoy your cake with some fresh berries from whatever season it is for bright colors and tangy sweetness. A spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a smooth, rich contrast that turns this into something really special. You might also want to pour some honey or chocolate sauce on top if you're feeling extra fancy.

Fun Twists

Make this your own by switching almonds for toasted hazelnuts or pistachios. Throw in some grated lemon or orange peel for a fresh zing. You can even add spices like cinnamon or cardamom to get a warm, fragrant quality that goes really well with everything else.

Keeping It Fresh

To make sure your cake stays good, put it in a container that seals tight and leave it on the counter for up to three days. If you live somewhere humid, you might want to stick it in the fridge to keep the texture nice. Just remember to let it warm up to room temp before you eat it so it tastes its best.

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

After baking tons of almond desserts over the years, this one really stands out because it hits just the right notes in flavor and texture. It's become what I always make for casual family get-togethers and fancy dinner parties too, showing how flexible it is every time I serve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is maple syrup swappable for other sweeteners?
Sure, honey or agave works great, swapped in the same amount as maple syrup.
→ How can I keep this cake fresh?
Pop it in an airtight box, keep it at room temp for up to 3 days or refrigerate it for a week.
→ Why toast the almonds?
Toasting gives them a richer taste and makes them crunchier.
→ Can this cake be frozen?
Yep, just wrap it snugly and freeze for a maximum of 3 months.
→ Do I need a springform pan?
Not necessarily! Use an 8-inch round pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Easy Almond Cake

This light almond cake features almond flour and maple syrup, topped with toasted almonds, perfect as a morning treat or after-meal dessert.

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

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

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

Ingredients

→ Dry Ingredients

01 ¼ teaspoon salt
02 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 2 cups blanched almond flour, finely ground

→ Wet Ingredients

04 1 teaspoon almond flavoring
05 ½ cup of syrup made from maple
06 ½ teaspoon extract of vanilla
07 3 whole eggs
08 2 Tablespoons of oil (olive or avocado)

→ Toppings

09 Powdered sugar for sprinkling (optional)
10 ¼ cup raw almond slices, extra for topping if needed

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven on to 350°F. Spray cooking oil onto an 8-inch round or springform pan to keep things non-stick.

Step 02

Place almonds on a small tray, bake for 4-5 minutes, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for browning. Set aside so they can cool.

Step 03

Stir together the almond flour, a couple of teaspoons of baking powder, and the salt in a medium-sized bowl.

Step 04

In a bigger bowl, whisk the eggs, maple syrup, oil, almond flavor, and vanilla extract until the mixture’s nice and smooth.

Step 05

Take your dry mix and add it into the wet one. Stir everything together until it looks like a smooth batter.

Step 06

Pour the batter into your greased pan. Scatter those toasted almonds evenly over the top.

Step 07

Pop the pan in and cook for 20-25 minutes. Know it’s ready when the top’s golden, and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 08

Let the cake rest in the pan until it’s completely cool. Dust with powdered sugar or throw on extra almond slices if you like.

Notes

  1. Serve it at breakfast, for dessert, or even as a snack on the side.
  2. It uses nutritious stuff like maple syrup and almond flour.
  3. Works great with either olive or avocado oil—your call.

Tools You'll Need

  • Round or springform pan, 8-inch size
  • Small tray for roasting almonds
  • Bowl for dry ingredients (medium)
  • Bowl for wet ingredients (large)
  • Whisk for mixing

Allergy Information

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

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: ~