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.
Nut flour cakes can be dense and heavy, but just like this 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.
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Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this 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: Either 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. (Photos 1,2).
- Transfer the batter to a greased 8-inch nonstick cake pan using a spatula. (Photo 3).
- Bake the cake in an oven preheated to 350°F until a toothpick inserted in its center comes out clean, 22-25 minutes. (Photo 4).
- Cool the cake for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert it onto a cooling rack and cool it for 20 more minutes.
- You can dust the cake with powdered sugar or a powdered sweetener. (Photo 5).
- Slice and serve. (Photo 6).
Expert Tips
- It's important to ensure that 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
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.
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 â…“ cup and checking the batter.
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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Recipe Card
Fluffy Almond Flour Cake
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon butter for pan
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup honey real or sugar-free
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups almond flour blanched, finely ground (6 ounces)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Generously grease an 8-inch nonstick cake pan with soft butter.
- 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.
- Use a spatula to transfer the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake until fragrant and set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22-25 minutes.
- 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 before slicing and serving.
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.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition per Serving
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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. 
Lana
Could you add amount of yogurt to the recipe please? Thanks.
Vered DeLeeuw
Hi Lana,
This cake does not contain yogurt.
Robin
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!
Vered DeLeeuw
You're very welcome, Robin! I'm so glad you enjoyed this cake.
Laura Bennet
I used this cake for pineapple upside down cake and it was fabulous. it took longer to cook, but turned out great! I passed it on!
Vered DeLeeuw
Wonderful! I'm so glad this recipe worked for your cake, Laura! Thank you for leaving a comment.
Ghazal
Hi
Thank you very much for this wonderful recipe. I have made this a couple of times and every time came out amazing. Just wondering if I want to make it double in size, do I double every single ingredient? And is there anything else I need to consider like cooking time, etc?
Thank you x
Vered DeLeeuw
Hi Ghazal,
I'm so glad you've been enjoying this cake! I assume you plan to bake the larger cake in a rectangular 9 X 13-inch pan. If so, then yes, please go ahead and double all the ingredients. I believe you won't need to change the baking time, but please check with a knife or toothpick to make sure.
Beth
Anyone make cupcakes with this recipe?
Deanna
This cake is definitely fluffy and maybe even a little spongy. I was a little concerned with the amount of eggs, thinking it might have a strong egg flavor. It does not! I used Bob's Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour and followed the directions exactly, even using a scale to measure the almond flour.
The honey gives it just the right amount of sweetness. I made this for my son's birthday, as he is gluten-free, and it was great. I took the powdered sugar out of the pantry but tasted the cake first, and it didn't need the sugar on top.
Vered DeLeeuw
I'm so glad this was a success, Deanna! Happy birthday to your son. 🙂
Olivia
Would this work as a tres leches cake if i added the milks?
Vered DeLeeuw
You can't just add milk, you would need to adjust the other ingredients.
poornima
If I wanted to add sugar..how many grams should I add?
Vered DeLeeuw
Do you mean add sugar in addition to honey or instead? If you'd like to substitute sugar for the honey, I would go with 3/4 cup of sugar, which is 150 grams. You will need to add some kind of liquid to the batter. I would start with 1/3 cup of milk (any type of milk), then check the batter. Please keep in mind that I have only tested this recipe with real honey and sugar-free honey.
Mowse
I made this cake back in December for my now late fiance's birthday, with a chocolate frosting. Less than a week earlier for Christmas I made your Almond Flour Chocolate Cake. I have a cake in the oven as I write this. My roommate bought strawberries so I thought this cake and some berries would be great together.
Vered DeLeeuw
Berries would be great with this cake!
I am so sorry for your loss.
kia
Wow, wonderful recipe! Thank you! I'm always looking for lower sugar and lower carb baked good recipes and finding "fluffy" can be a real challenge. This recipe was incredible.. lightly sweet and delicious, with simple ingredients, easy to make, and the cake was FLUFFY!! (And it stayed fluffy even after being in the fridge).
Finding Fluffy cakes without the standard baking components can be so tough but this recipe really knocked it out of the park. I added 6 bags of Earl Grey tea and some lemon zest and just plain yum. I can't wait to try other variations.
I will say I did follow the recipe exactly, not overbeating the batter and adding one component at a time and it just came out perfectly.
Thank you for a wonderful recipe for those of us on restricted food diets (and for my non-restricted friends and family that gobbled it right up too). 🙂
Vered DeLeeuw
So glad you liked this cake, Kia! What an interesting idea to add tea.
Laura Guadalupe schneider
Love it! I sprinkled almonds on top before baking and used maple syrup instead of Honey.
Vered DeLeeuw
I love the idea of sprinkling almonds on top!
Eileen
Hi, if I want to use maple syrup instead of honey is it the same amount?
Vered DeLeeuw
Hi Eileen,
Yes. You can use the same amount of maple syrup.
Cy
Hello! I was wondering when storing it overnight to make it moister, how do you do that? On the counter or in the fridge? If it’s in the refrigerator, how long before should I take it out? I have a party to attend this Sunday. I want to take this cake and can make it on Saturday.
Also, if I wanted to make this cake a little sweeter, would adding a 1/4 cup more honey throw it off? Thank you! This looks easy to make and delicious. There are several of us that will be there that have dietary restrictions. I was asked to bring a dessert sweetened with only honey and I happened to see this. I am eager to make (and eat) it! 🙂
Vered DeLeeuw
Once completely cool, you can wrap the cake in foil, then in a layer of plastic wrap, and place it in the fridge. Remove it from the fridge an hour before heading out to the party.
I don't recommend adding more honey. It could throw off the recipe.
Cy
Thank you! I made this cake a couple weeks ago as I mentioned in my last comment and it was a hit! The person who specifically asked me to make something with honey wanted the recipe and took what was leftover home! That made me feel really good. I am so happy you created the best recipe :).
Since it was so good, I am going to make this again this week for friends that are gluten free and dairy free. Do you think I can use olive oil in the pan instead of butter? Or what would you recommend?
Thanks again!
Vered DeLeeuw
Yay! I'm so glad it was a success!
I would grease the pan with a neutral-tasting oil such as avocado oil. You can also use coconut oil or ghee.
Cy
Thanks it worked and again it was a delicious result! I decided to use avocado oil. It was a harder to get out the pan, than with butter unfortunately but I do not have nonstick ones. Regardless, it was YUM! My friend thanked me multiple times for it and said she loved it. 🙂
Thank you also for the suggestions on the variations. The first time I made it a few weeks ago, I added cinnamon. Again, my friends loved it. This past weekend I changed it up and added lemon zest. These were friends visiting from out of town. And as I mentioned, I was thanked again and again! You can’t go wrong with either flavor.
THANK YOU!
Vered DeLeeuw
Indeed, it's fun to change things up with different flavors. How wonderful that you and your friends are enjoying this cake so much.