Golden Almond Cake Recipe: Buttery, Sweet & Homemade Joy

Decadent and moist, this almond cake recipe strikes the perfect balance between nutty richness and delicate sweetness.

The aroma of freshly ground almonds wafts through the kitchen, promising a delightful treat.

Each slice promises a tender crumb that melts in your mouth with robust almond flavor.

European bakeries have long celebrated this classic dessert for its simplicity and elegance.

Home bakers adore how effortlessly the ingredients come together to create something truly spectacular.

The golden-brown exterior hints at the delectable layers waiting inside.

Serve this cake alongside a strong espresso or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate your dessert experience.

Storage Advice for Almond Cake Leftovers

• Quick Chill Strategy: Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack, preventing moisture buildup and maintaining its delicate texture. Room temperature settling helps stabilize the cake's structure and enhances flavor development.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store cake in an airtight container, wrapped securely with plastic wrap or placed in a sealed cake carrier. Refrigeration extends freshness up to 4-5 days, keeping its tender crumb and almond richness intact.
• Freezing Technique: Slice cake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Frozen slices remain delicious for 2-3 months, perfect for quick dessert emergencies.
• Serving Revival: When ready to enjoy refrigerated or frozen cake, let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Gently warming slightly can restore its original softness and revive the subtle almond essence, making each bite feel freshly baked.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 267 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients That Go Into Almond Cake

• Almond Paste: Delivers intense almond flavor and rich texture, choose high-quality paste for best results.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides moisture and helps create a tender crumb, ensure it's softened at room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light, airy cake structure.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cake's foundation, sift to remove lumps for smoother batter.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy, check freshness for maximum lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt.

• Almond Extract: Intensifies almond flavor, use pure extract for best taste.
• Sliced Almonds: Adds crunch and visual appeal, toast lightly for deeper flavor.
• Granulated Sugar (Topping): Creates a delicate sweet crust when sprinkled on top.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides elegant dusting and extra sweetness.
• Whipped Cream: Offers creamy contrast to cake's texture.
• Fresh Berries: Adds bright, fresh flavor and beautiful color.

Equipment to Help Bake Almond Cake Flawlessly

• Food processor: Essential for mixing almond paste, sugar, butter, eggs, and creating smooth batter.
• 8-inch round cake pan: Crucial for baking the cake, needs parchment paper lining and greasing.
• Parchment paper: Used to line cake pan bottom for easy cake removal.
• Spatula: Helps level batter in pan and scrape down processor sides.
• Wire rack: Perfect for cooling cake after baking.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.

Baking Instructions for Almond Cake at Home

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven and set a cozy stage for your almond cake adventure. Position the rack right in the middle, creating the perfect baking environment.

• Almond Paste Foundation

Break down the almond paste with sugar, transforming it into a fine, dreamy mixture that will give your cake incredible depth and richness.

• Butter Blending

Soften the butter and merge it seamlessly into the almond mixture, creating a silky smooth base that promises incredible texture.

• Egg and Extract Magic

Introduce eggs and almond extract, whisking them together to create a luscious, fragrant blend that will make your cake sing with flavor.

• Flour Integration

Gently fold in the dry ingredients, ensuring a harmonious marriage of all components without overworking the delicate batter.

• Pan Placement

Lovingly pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top and giving it a gentle tap to release any hidden air bubbles.

• Almond and Sugar Topping

Sprinkle sliced almonds and a light dusting of sugar across the surface, creating a golden, crunchy crown for your cake.

• Baking Moment

Slide the cake into the oven and watch it transform. Test for doneness with a toothpick – a clean pick means cake perfection is within reach.

• Cooling Ceremony

Let the cake rest and cool, allowing its flavors to settle and develop. Patience is your secret ingredient here.

Flavor Boosts for Moist Almond Cake

• Experiment with different nut pastes like marzipan or hazelnut paste to create unique flavor profiles that elevate this classic cake.
• Replace sliced almonds with chopped pistachios or toasted coconut flakes for an unexpected crunch and nutty dimension that surprises your taste buds.
• Infuse the batter with orange zest, vanilla bean seeds, or a splash of amaretto liqueur to add depth and complexity to the almond cake's natural sweetness.
• Transform this cake into an elegant dessert by creating individual mini cakes in ramekins or turning it into a stunning trifle layered with mascarpone cream and berry compote.
• Keep the cake fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and storing at room temperature for 3-4 days, or freeze up to two weeks for longer preservation without losing its delightful texture.

How to Serve Almond Cake for Any Occasion

• Elegant Tea Party Pairing: Serve delicate slices alongside Earl Grey tea, creating a sophisticated afternoon treat that highlights the almond cake's nutty richness.
• Berry Bliss Garnish: Top each slice with a vibrant medley of fresh raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries to add a burst of color and tangy sweetness that complements the cake's subtle almond flavor.
• Decadent Dessert Transformation: Transform the cake into an indulgent dessert by drizzling warm vanilla custard or chocolate sauce over each slice, elevating the simple cake into a luxurious after-dinner experience.
• Breakfast Delight Companion: Pair perfectly with morning coffee or cappuccino, making it an excellent option for a leisurely weekend breakfast or brunch that feels both comforting and special.

Decadent Almond Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delightful almond cake from Spain showcases Mediterranean baking traditions with simple, elegant ingredients. Nutty flavors and delicate crumb invite home bakers to explore classic European dessert craft.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 oz (113 g) almond paste
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp almond extract
• ½ cup (50 g) sliced almonds
• 1–2 tbsps (12–25 g) granulated sugar
• Optional: powdered sugar
• Optional: whipped cream
• Optional: fresh berries

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack positioned centrally. Line 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and generously butter the surface to prevent adherence.
2. Mixture Foundation: Pulverize almond paste in food processor, gradually incorporating granulated sugar until achieving a fine, uniform texture. Integrate softened butter, processing continuously to create a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Liquid Integration: Incorporate eggs and almond extract into the processor, mixing thoroughly and scraping bowl sides to ensure complete blending. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold into wet ingredients, creating a homogeneous batter without overmixing.
4. Pan Arrangement: Transfer batter to prepared pan, distributing evenly with a spatula and tapping gently to release air bubbles. Artfully scatter sliced almonds across the surface, sprinkling granulated sugar in two layers for optimal caramelization.
5. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 24-27 minutes, confirming doneness with a clean toothpick test. Allow cake to rest in pan for 35-40 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling. Serve elegantly, optionally adorning with powdered sugar or accompanying with whipped cream and seasonal berries.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and consistent cake texture.
• Ingredient Quality: Choose high-quality almond paste and pure almond extract for a rich, authentic flavor profile.
• Mixing Technique: Pulse ingredients gently to prevent overworking the batter, which can create a dense, tough cake.
• Baking Secrets: Check cake doneness early to avoid overbaking, as almond cakes can dry out quickly in the oven.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 267
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg