Almond Cake Recipe: Easy Flourless Spanish Classic 2026

This almond cake is a true classic of Spanish home baking, and it earns its place for good reason. With just four simple ingredients and no wheat flour at all, it comes together quickly and stays beautifully moist, making it a wonderful option for anyone following a gluten-free diet.

The flavor is delicate and nutty, lifted by a touch of fresh lemon zest, and the crumb is tender without being heavy. It is the kind of cake you can whip up on a quiet afternoon and serve to anyone at the table, no special occasion required.

Ingredients for Almond Cake

This recipe makes 8 servings and uses only four ingredients.

• 4 medium eggs
• 160 g sugar
• Zest of one lemon
• 200 g ground almonds

How to Make Almond Cake Step by Step

1. Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven

Line and grease an 18 cm round pan with release spray or butter. Preheat the oven to 180 ºC with heat from both the top and bottom.

2. Beat the Eggs

Beat 4 medium eggs with an electric mixer until they double in volume.

3. Add the Sugar and Lemon Zest

Add 160 grams of white sugar and the zest of one lemon, then beat for a couple of minutes until fully incorporated.

4. Fold in the Ground Almonds

Add 200 grams of ground almonds and fold them completely into the mixture, without overbeating, so you don't knock the air out of the eggs.

5. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Cool and Unmold

Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack. After 10 to 15 minutes you can unmold it and leave it to cool completely on the rack.

7. Serve

Once cold, it is ready to serve. Optionally, to make it more attractive, you can dust it with powdered sugar.

Tips for the Best Almond Cake

Start with Quality Almonds

For an exceptional result, use the best quality almonds you can find, which guarantees an exquisite finish. Since the almonds carry most of the flavor here, this is the one place worth spending a little extra.

Customize the Flavor

You can personalize the cake to taste, for example by swapping the lemon zest for orange zest or any flavoring you like, such as vanilla, cinnamon, or a spice blend. Keep the amounts modest so the almond flavor still shines through.

Keep the Air in the Batter

Fold the ground almonds in gently and stop as soon as everything is combined. Overbeating at this stage deflates the eggs and gives you a denser, flatter cake instead of a light one.

30 Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, well-known dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone at the table happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever a fruity, comforting sweet sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I make.

Mornings and lighter meals call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a filling Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For small plates and Mediterranean cooking, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out when I want the meal to feel a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and snug evening dinners? I'm always pointing people toward this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I need something more substantial, out comes this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply soothing French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever street food or party food is on my mind, I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, bold Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I serve as an easy starter or snack.

And when drinks plus a whole menu are needed for guests, I'll set dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this punchy Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like putting this zippy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or closing things out with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes are built on straightforward methods, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast solo meal or a spread I'm putting together for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a spot-on Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, heartier fare, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots around the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it's quick and still delivers terrific texture. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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