Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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This wonderfully light and fluffy almond flour cake is sweetened with honey and flavored with vanilla.

It's lovely with or without frosting, and when served without frosting, it's perfect for breakfast or as a snack cake.

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Nut flour cakes can be dense and heavy, but just like my keto pound cake, this almond flour cake is light and fluffy.

Despite containing just a ½ cup of honey, this cake is delightfully sweet but not overly so. And it's easy to mix in a single bowl - the prep time is just 15 minutes.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Almond Flour Cake Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Cake Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this almond flour cake. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Butter: For greasing the pan.
  • Eggs: I use large eggs in most of my recipes, this one included.
  • Honey: Real honey or a sugar-free substitute.
  • Vanilla extract: It's best to use pure vanilla extract.
  • Almond flour: I use blanched, finely ground almond flour. I don't recommend using a coarse almond meal in this recipe.
  • Salt: Just a little to enhance the other flavors.
  • Baking soda: You can replace it with 2 teaspoons of baking powder (gluten-free if needed).

Variations

  • The zest of a lemon or an orange significantly elevates this cake. Add about a tablespoon, and ensure you only grate the outer peel, not the bitter white layer.
  • If you like cinnamon, add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
  • Sometimes, I use flavor extracts other than vanilla, such as coconut, almond, or orange. If opting for those, use just 1 teaspoon, not a full tablespoon.

Almond Flour Cake Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

In a large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Gradually whisk in the honey, vanilla, almond flour, salt, and baking soda.

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Transfer the batter to a greased 8-inch nonstick cake pan using a spatula.

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Bake the cake in an oven preheated to 350°F until a toothpick inserted in its center comes out clean, 22-25 minutes.

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Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a cooling rack and cool it for 20 more minutes.

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You can dust the cake with powdered sugar or a powdered sweetener. Slice and serve.

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Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (10)

Expert Tips

  • It's important to ensure the pan you use is nonstick. I replace my nonstick pans every 1-2 years. They're relatively inexpensive, and regularly replacing them saves me the heartache of dealing with ruined baked goods.
  • The cake's crumb will be noticeably darker if you use real honey as opposed to sugar-free syrup.
  • If you wish to frost the cake, you'll need to cool it completely before frosting it.
  • The cake improves after being stored overnight. Its texture becomes moister.

Recipe FAQs

Is it difficult to bake with almond flour?

Not at all! I really enjoy working with this flour. It is very easy to bake with, and the baked goods it produces are flavorful, with a nice tender crumb.
These almond flour biscuits are a great example, and so is this keto chocolate cake.

The image below shows you how moist and fluffy this cake is. It's truly delightful!
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Can I use a granulated sweetener?

I tested this recipe with real honey and with sugar-free honey. I did not test it with a granulated sweetener.

If you'd like to use a granulated sweetener, you'll need to add liquid to the cake (such as whole milk, heavy cream, or canned coconut milk). I suggest starting with ⅓ cup and checking the batter.

Can I use coconut flour in this recipe?

No, unfortunately, you can't. Coconut flour and almond flour behave very differently and are not interchangeable.

Serving Suggestions

I don't usually frost this almond flour cake. I like simple, unfrosted cakes that can be served as breakfast or snack cakes. But if you'd like to top this cake, here are a few ideas for you:

  • Cream cheese frosting.
  • Chocolate whipped cream.
  • Simply dust it with a powdered sweetener, as I do in the video.
  • Whipped cream and berries - add those right before serving the cake.
  • Blueberry compote or strawberry compote - add right before serving to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
  • The chocolate frosting I use in this chocolate cake is excellent.

Storing Leftovers

I keep unfrosted leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I briefly warm them in the microwave (10 seconds per slice) before enjoying them. You can also freeze slices of this cake for up to three months.

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More Cake Recipes

  • Coconut Flour Cake
  • Keto Birthday Cake
  • Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
  • Keto Pound Cake

Recipe Card

Fluffy Almond Flour Cake

This wonderfully light and fluffyalmond flour cakeis sweetened with honey and flavored with vanilla.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Rest time30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 8 slices

Calories: 233kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • ½ tablespoon butter for pan
  • 4 large eggs
  • ½ cup honey real or sugar-free
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • cups almond flour blanched, finely ground (6 ounces)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda or 2 teaspoons of baking powder (gluten-free if needed)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Generously grease an 8-inch nonstick cake pan with soft butter.

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  • In a large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Gradually whisk in the honey, vanilla, almond flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Don't over-mix the batter. An overworked batter can cause the middle of the cake to collapse as it cools.

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  • Use a spatula to transfer the batter into the prepared pan.

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  • Bake until fragrant and set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22-25 minutes.

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  • Cool the cake in the pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto the cooling rack and cool for 20 more minutes.

    Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (22)

  • If you wish, dust the cake with a powdered sweetener, then slice and serve.

    Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (23)

Video

Notes

  • This sugar-free honey worked well when I tried it. If using it, a slice has about 199 calories, 6 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fiber.
  • I use Bob's Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour. One cup of this flour weighs 4 oz, so 1.5 cups weigh 6 ounces. It's best to measure almond flour by weight rather than by volume.
  • Occasionally, baking soda can cause a reaction in baked goods that results in an ammonia smell. If you're concerned about it happening, use 2 teaspoons of baking powder (gluten-free if needed) instead of baking soda.
  • If you'd like to frost the cake, cool it completely before frosting.
  • The cake's texture improves after being stored overnight.
  • Keep unfrosted leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Briefly warm them in the microwave (10 seconds per slice) before enjoying them. You can also freeze slices of this cake for up to three months.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 188mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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More Low-Carb Desserts

  • Keto Mug Cake
  • Keto Brownies
  • Keto Cookie Dough
  • Keto Strawberry Shortcake

About the Author

Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (34) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Carole Horger

    Soon I will try your recipe again. I tried it and accidently used cornmeal instead of almond flour (poor labeling, poor lighting, poor eyesight, poor attention).

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Oh no, Carole! Well, now you have a funny story to tell. 🙂
      I do hope you enjoy this cake.

      Reply

  2. Shehnaz

    Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (35)
    My cake sank in the middle. I think it was due to the under-whisked eggs. But the recipe calls for light whisking the eggs and ingredients. And I even checked your video to be sure and it looked you had also not whipped up the eggs. Any idea what could’ve gone wrong? I still liked the taste - just perfect.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Shehnaz,
      Almond flour baked goods tend to sink slightly in the middle because they don't contain gluten, which gives them structure. However, any sinking should be minimal.

      When a gluten-free cake sinks significantly, it's usually due to over-whipping the eggs. This incorporates extra air into the batter, causing the cake to rise too much in the oven and sink as it cools. But you say you did not over-whip the eggs.

      Another possibility is that your oven runs a bit too hot, causing the cake to cook more quickly on the outside and leaving the center slightly undercooked, causing it to sink as it cools. The solution would be to bake the cake at 325°F for around 30 minutes. Check the center of the cake with a toothpick to ensure it's completely dry.

      Reply

  3. Haan Rebu

    Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (36)
    This is an AMAZING cake recipe. Works like a charm!!! Was skeptical at first at the small list of ingredients but it turned out fluffy and light. The sweetness is subtle in a good way. I infused the baked cake with concentrated jasmine tea which made it more moist (not that it needed it).

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you liked this cake! Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed comment. I appreciate it.

      Reply

  4. Jane Lim

    Hi, can you bake this as a loaf? If possible, how long would that take? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Jane,
      I only tested this cake in an 8-inch round pan. You can try using a 9×5 inch loaf pan (truly nonstick and generously buttered). The cake will likely be fairly flat since the loaf pan holds 8 cups while the round one holds six cups. As for baking time, I would start checking for doneness after 18 minutes.

      Reply

  5. Lina Abu-Baker

    Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (37)
    Thank you for this recipe! Just tried it the other day and it was so delicious. I am curious, if I want to use it for other desserts as a base but use regular white flour, would I still use the same measurements?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Lina,
      I'm glad you enjoyed this cake!
      I only tested it with almond flour, so I'm not sure about substituting it with white. Some guidelines say it's a 1:1 swap, while others maintain you need half the white flour.

      Reply

  6. Diane

    I assume this could be baked into cupcakes easily by shortening the baking time?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Diane,
      Yes. It's best to use well-greased foil liners to prevent sticking. Bake for 15-17 minutes and check with a toothpick.
      You can also check out this recipe for almond flour muffins.

      Reply

    • Tammy

      Is 1 *tablespoon* of vanilla correct? It seems like a lot for one cake.

      Reply

      • Vered DeLeeuw

        Hi Tammy,
        Yes, that's one tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. Use a high-quality one such as this. However, it's fine to use less. Try 2 teaspoons if you're concerned about it being too much.

  7. Lana

    Could you add amount of yogurt to the recipe please? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Lana,
      This cake does not contain yogurt.

      Reply

  8. Robin

    Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (38)
    Very delicious and moist! I used maple syrup in lieu of honey just because I adore the taste. Will make this again. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      You're very welcome, Robin! I'm so glad you enjoyed this cake.

      Reply

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Fluffy Almond Flour Cake - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is baking with almond flour healthy? ›

Almond flour is rich in monounsaturated fat, which can help keep cholesterol under control. Reducing cholesterol significantly lowers the risk of heart disease. One study showed that women who consume 50 grams of almonds daily have lower cholesterol than women who do not. Almond flour is a low glycemic index food.

Why did my almond flour cake fall? ›

If the oven is too hot then the cake will tend to cook more quickly on the outside and this pushes the centre up. But as the centre will not have cooked fully then it will sink on cooling.

Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour in a cake recipe? ›

Almond flour is a little more moist than wheat flour, and doesn't have quite the same binding qualities. You'll do best to substitute 1:1 to begin with, as many recipes respond well to this direct replacement. But be prepared to add more almond flour as you go to compensate for the wetter batter.

What is a good binding agent for almond flour? ›

In the absence of gluten, almond flour needs a little help to bind ingredients together. Eggs are a traditional and effective binding agent, providing structure and elasticity. However, for those seeking a vegan option or for recipes that don't require eggs, xanthan gum is a popular alternative.

What is a binding agent for almond flour? ›

Almond flour also works best in baked goods with a high egg white content, because the egg white is a binding agent. If your recipe does not have a high egg content, you might need to add a binding agent, like xanthan gum or flax seed.

Does almond flour spike blood sugar? ›

Almond flour is one of the most popular flour alternatives, and for good reason: It has a fine texture similar to wheat flour, but packs in twice as much protein and is unlikely to spike blood sugar. A quarter-cup serving also delivers around 20 percent of the RDI for magnesium.

Is almond flour good for baking cakes? ›

It is also a good source of protein and fiber and gives a moist texture to baked goods. Almond flour is versatile — its nutty flavor and delicate texture work beautifully in all kinds of cookies, cakes, and breads. It can also be used as a gluten-free breading or coating for fried or baked foods.

What is the healthiest almond flour? ›

Blanched almond flour is a wheat flour alternative that's all natural and delicious. It's made purely from almonds and has become one of the best choices for a healthy type of baking flour.

Can I use baking soda when baking with almond flour? ›

Be sure to substitute the same amount a recipe calls for with equal parts of baking soda, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, buttermilk, milk, or vinegar. Baking powder is another option since it is simply a combination of baking soda and acid.

Why is my almond cake dense? ›

As mentioned in tip #3, over-mixing cake batter produces too much air. That trapped air expands then deflates in the oven. A deflated cake is a dense cake! Only mix the wet and dry ingredients together JUST until combined.

Why does almond flour go bad? ›

Almond Flour and Other Nut Flours

Nuts have oils in them that can make nut flours go rancid sooner than their wheat-based counterparts. You'll want to taste a bit of the flour to really judge whether it's good—it will taste rancid if it isn't.

What happens when you replace all-purpose flour with almond flour? ›

Almond flour can carry more moisture than traditional flour, therefore, you may need to add more of it to a recipe to prevent watery batter or dough. The extra moisture helps prevent baked goods from drying out quickly.

How much almond flour do I use to replace 1 cup of all-purpose flour? ›

Baking with almond flour
  1. For yeast dough of all kinds (bread, rolls, pizza), add up to 1/3 cup almond flour per cup of wheat flour (all-purpose, bread, whole wheat, etc.)
  2. For non-yeast treats (cookies, scones, cake, biscuits, muffins, etc.), substitute almond flour for 1/4 (25%) of the flour in the recipe.
Mar 20, 2017

Do I need xanthan gum with almond flour? ›

The Basic Baking Guidelines

Our chef prefers to add a little xanthan gum or cornstarch to the almond flour to help with the texture, though it is not entirely necessary to do so. Almond flour is pretty forgiving in that regard. Some use arrowroot powder to achieve a similar effect in their bread recipes.

Do you need more eggs when using almond flour? ›

Almond flour can be substituted for regular flour at a 1:1 ratio. It is important to note that almond flour may require more egg to bind the flour. Check out our almond flour recipe book here for more information on a specific recipe!

Does almond flour bake differently than regular flour? ›

Almond flour can carry more moisture than traditional flour, therefore, you may need to add more of it to a recipe to prevent watery batter or dough. The extra moisture helps prevent baked goods from drying out quickly.

How do you increase the texture of almond flour? ›

Our chef prefers to add a little xanthan gum or cornstarch to the almond flour to help with the texture, though it is not entirely necessary to do so.

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