There is something about the combination of lemon and almonds that has always appealed to me. I’ve dabbled with these ingredients in scones and other breakfast breads, but this gluten free lemon almond cake takes the proverbial, you know, cake.
It’s not too sweet, so it wouldn’t be hard to justify it for breakfast or a between meals treat, but served with whipped cream and berries, it’s hard to beat as the delicious finale to nearly any meal.
The texture is perfect — made with my light gfJules™ Flour and ground almonds, it’s airy, with a nutty chew for substance. And the flavor … well, I’ve already told you how divine this combination is.
Trust me, this gorgeous lemon almond cake will be a new go-to recipe to make, share and impress.
I recommend making your own almond meal because it’s much less expensive and it’s sure to be fresh if you grind it yourself. Just look for raw almonds not processed in a facility that handles wheat.
Pictured below: egg white meringue ready to fold into cake batter.
As for eggs, this recipe relies on 6 of them, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting unless you opt for aquafaba, which actually works really well as a sub for whipped egg whites!*
I have lots of other great cake recipes on my site which either don’t require eggs or for which I’ve suggested a worthy egg substitute, so don’t despair!
One final note: this cake is a wonderful one to consider adding to your Passover traditions. Since there already is no wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oats in this gluten free recipe, if it fits with your religious beliefs to eat corn and rice during Passover, the eggs, almonds and absence of any leavening makes this delicious cake a great way to celebrate.
One final final note: this recipe complies with the restrictions of most Low FODMAP diets. Another reason to celebrate!
Gluten Free Lemon Almond Cake Recipe
The heavenly combination of lemon and almonds come together perfectly in this gorgeous gluten free lemon almond cake. Perfect for Passover, too!
Ingredients
Cake
- 6 large eggs (for vegan, use 3/4 cup aquafaba + 3/4 tsp. cream of tartar whipped until stiff but not dry)*
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1 cup granulated cane sugar, divided into 1/3 cup measurements
- 6 Tbs. mild oil (like safflower, sunflower, or light olive oil)
- 2 ½ Tbs. fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ½ Tbs. ginger juice (optional or use lemon juice)
- 2 tsp. finely grated lemon peel
- ½ cup + 2 Tbs. gfJules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour (85 gr)
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour or almond meal (179 gr)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Berry Sauce
- 5 cups sliced stemmed strawberries (about 2 pounds) or other berries
- 1 Tbs. (or more) sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Gluten Free Lemon Almond Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Prepare 10-inch springform pan by oiling lightly and lining with a circle of parchment paper.
Separate eggs, reserving whites only (no yolks at all) in a large metal mixing bowl and placing the egg yolks in a separate bowl. Add salt and beat whites on high speed of an electric mixer with whisk attachment or beaters for 2-3 minutes, or until soft peaks form. Slowly beat in 1/3 cup sugar, continuing to whisk with mixer until stiff peaks form. Do not over-beat; the mixture should not be dry. Scoop beaten whites out into a separate bowl.
Add yolks and 1/3 cup sugar to the large mixing bowl just used to mix the whites. Beat together for 2-3 minutes on high speed, or until the yolk mixture is pale yellow in color and thicker in consistency. Mix in oil, lemon and ginger juice and lemon peel.
In a separate bowl, whisk together gfJules™ Flour, almond meal and 1/3 cup sugar.
Stir these dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture until thick, but fully integrated.
Add 1/3 of the stiff egg white mixture to the mixing bowl, folding over using a rubber spatula, integrating it into the egg yolk-flour mixture. Repeat with 1/3 more of the egg whites, then add final 1/3 of the egg whites, folding until no large pockets of egg whites remain separate.
Spoon or pour batter into prepared pan. Distribute shaved almonds over the top.
Bake for 40 minutes or until the top of the tart is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove pan to cool on a wire rack.
Berry Sauce
Wash and hull berries, then add to a large sauce pan. Add sugar, vanilla and lemon juice. Stir over medium-high heat.
Once the berries get hot enough, they'll begin releasing juices. Stir to keep from sticking or burning in the pot. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the berries are getting juicy, then mash with a potato masher or process with a food processor if you prefer a smoother consistency.
Serve warm with cake by spooning onto plates and topping with a slice of cake. Alternatively, cover and chill until serving with whipped cream (So Delicious® vegan CocoWhip pictured here).
Notes
* If making this cake for Passover and using the vegan option, be sure to check with your particular faith leaders about whether using chickpeas is considered Kosher for Passover.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 511Total Fat 38gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 32gCholesterol 186mgSodium 267mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 9gSugar 20gProtein 15g
Please keep in mind that nutrition information provided is per serving, which may vary. While we have taken care to provide you with the most accurate nutritional values possible, please note that this information may differ significantly depending on the exact ingredients and brands that you choose to use to make this recipe. Additionally, where options are given for ingredients, the resulting calculation may include all ingredient options instead of only one per line, skewing the totals significantly.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
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Nutrition facts. Do you have that information?
HI Jane – just added them for you!
~jules
Made this cake last night and the taste and texture were fantastic! It reminded me of both angel food cake and the sweet, crisp pecan and Ritz cracker meringue my grandmother used to bake. Absolutely delicious ❤
oh wow, your description sounds delightful! Makes me want to bake this cake again now with that flavor combination in mind, Rebecca!!! So glad you loved it!!!!
~jules
This looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try it. I don’t know when I’ll make everything I want to try! LOL
Keep a (long) list! 🙂
~jules
This looks delicious!! I love how crispy the top of the cake looks, it’s beautiful with the almonds on top.
Ooo..the flavors here sound outstanding!
Thanks Kristen!
~jules
I just made this yesterday and it was a huge hit! I like lots of lemon flavor so I added a little lemon extract in addition to the lemon juice & zest; I think next time I would just zest another lemon. This is another “you wouldn’t know it’s gluten free” dessert that so much fun to share with gluten eaters. The directions are perfect and it was super easy. Frozen strawberries made it even easier, and I served it with both the berry sauce and fresh whipped cream.
How wonderful to hear, Kate! I’m always up for more lemon!!!
~jules
This recipe has me so excited I can’t wait to make it! It is a beautiful dessert and I love how you added the berry sauce to the bottom it compliments it so well!
Yay! I’m so glad you’re eager to try it, Celeste! Let me know what you think!
~jules
This looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
So glad the recipe looks good to you! Enjoy!
~jules
I have been making a cake like this for a few years now but with orange zest . Once you have made it a couple of times it’s very easy and always a big hit.
Looking forward to trying this with lemon and a raspberry sauce
Mmmmmm. Zest makes everything better!
Enjoy! ~jules
I just re-stumbled across a similar cake recipe on my site (contributed a decade ago) that uses semolina flour. It’s so great to see a gluten-free version! Definitely a good one to refer people to.
Oh yes, it’s always great to find a recipe that even more people can enjoy!
~jules
Love the flavor combo of almond and lemon! This cake looks amazing!!
Thanks Jereann – it works so well together!
~jules
I love the ginger in this recipe. It would bring a spicy note the the lemon. This is one cake I’d love to serve anytime.
Exactly, Leslie! Ginger is such a fantastic addition to so many kinds of recipes. You’re right that here it adds a spicy note that takes this cake to the next level!
~jules
This look so delicious! I’m going to have to experiment with my egg replacers, I really want to try this 🙂
I hope you’re able to find one that works well – let me know what you try!
~jules
I love almond cakes. They are so easy and can be dressed up so many delicious ways!
Agreed, Linda! I hope you get to try this one!
~jules
This is a perfect cake for afternoon coffee, which is something I have picked up living in Germany!
I love anything with lemon in it. Nice almond combo with it – yum!
The flavor combination sounds delicious, and I’m certain this would be a hit in my house! Your presentation is beautiful as always. 🙂
Aw, thanks so much, Kaila!!! xoxox
~jules