Meet your new sunny-day favorite: this Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe truly is the celebration of everything wonderful about Mediterranean-inspired baking! Moist, bursting with the brightness of oranges and lemons, and beautifully textured thanks to almond flour, each bite delights with tangy zest and a soft, aromatic crumb. It’s simple yet stunning, equally perfect for a cozy afternoon tea or as a dazzling dessert for your next gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe comes together with everyday essentials, but each ingredient shines in its own role—bringing flavor, color, and irresistible texture. It’s proof that amazing desserts don’t require complicated shopping lists!
- Almond flour: Adds a delicate nuttiness and gives the cake its signature moist, tender crumb.
- All-purpose flour: Balances out the almond flour for the perfect rise and structure.
- Baking powder: Your trusty leavening agent helps the cake stay light and fluffy.
- Salt: Just a splash enhances the citrus and draws out the almond flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Lends just enough sweetness to let the citrus flavors shine through.
- Unsalted butter (softened): For richness and that lovely, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and ensure a beautifully cohesive batter.
- Plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream): Adds tanginess and keeps the cake ultra-moist.
- Fresh orange juice: Brings a bright, juicy flavor straight into every slice.
- Fresh lemon juice: For a zesty kick that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Zest of 1 orange: Fragrant and sunny, this zest is essential for vibrant flavor.
- Zest of 1 lemon: Intensifies the citrus bouquet—do not skip it!
- Vanilla extract: Adds a cozy, mellow undertone that harmonizes with the citrus.
- Almond extract: Elevates the cake’s almond essence to something truly special.
- Sliced almonds (for topping): Toast up golden and crunchy right on top, adding visual appeal and texture.
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional): A gentle dusting gives the finished cake a lovely, elegant finish.
How to Make Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper—this extra step ensures your Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe comes out effortlessly, with crisp edges and a flawless top.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This blend gives the cake its unique crumb and allows the leavening to distribute evenly for a light, even rise.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step traps air for a tender cake and helps the sugar dissolve evenly.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in Greek yogurt (or sour cream), fresh orange and lemon juices, zests, vanilla extract, and almond extract. This combination infuses the batter with flavor and moisture—don’t worry if it looks a bit curdled, it’ll smooth out soon!
Step 5: Combine and Assemble
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture until just incorporated; overmixing can make the cake tough. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Then generously sprinkle sliced almonds over the surface, so they toast as the cake bakes.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. The Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The almonds on top should be golden, and your whole kitchen will smell divine.
Step 7: Cool and Finish
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once cool, dust with powdered sugar if you like. Now, it’s ready to dazzle at any table!
How to Serve Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar is classic, but a handful of extra orange or lemon zest can add an appealing pop of color and aroma. For a truly special touch, top each slice with a sprig of fresh mint or a few extra toasted almond slivers.
Side Dishes
This cake loves company! Pair with fresh berries or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream for an indulgent finish. For something more Mediterranean, a spoonful of tangy Greek yogurt on the side is pure bliss.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive table, cut the Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe into wedges and arrange them in a sunburst pattern on a platter. You could also serve petite squares topped with little edible flowers or candied citrus peel for an elegant finger food dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cake well-wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The flavors deepen overnight—and honestly, it might taste even better the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze this cake, too! Wrap individual slices or the whole cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.
Reheating
To gently refresh your cake, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or warm a whole cake in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. This brings back that just-baked aroma and soft crumb.
FAQs
Can I make the Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The results are just as tender and flavorful.
What’s the best way to zest citrus fruits for this cake?
Use a microplane or fine grater, only taking the brightly colored part of the peel. Avoid the white pith underneath, as it can taste bitter and overwhelm the cake’s fresh flavor.
Can I use bottled juice instead of fresh?
Fresh juice is recommended for the vibrant taste and natural aroma, but in a pinch, high-quality bottled juice (without added sugar or preservatives) will work.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top will be golden and the sliced almonds nicely toasted.
Why did my cake sink in the center?
This can happen if the cake is underbaked, or if the oven door is opened too often during baking. Make sure your oven is fully preheated and try not to peek until at least 35 minutes have passed.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited to try this Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe as I am to share it! It’s a treat that shines with citrus, warmth, and heart—perfect for brightening up any day. Enjoy every bite, and don’t forget to share a slice with someone special!
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Delicious Citrus Almond Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this moist and aromatic Citrus Almond Cake. This Mediterranean-inspired dessert combines the zesty brightness of orange and lemon with the nutty richness of almond for a truly satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds (for topping)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk almond flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, then add Greek yogurt, orange juice, lemon juice, zests, and extracts.
- Fold in dry ingredients: Gradually fold in the dry mix. Pour batter into pan, top with almonds, and bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
- This cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries or whipped cream.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
