Description
This Flourless Lemon Almond Cake is a sophisticated, Mediterranean-inspired dessert that is light as air and bursting with citrus. By using finely ground blanched almond flour and folding in whipped egg whites, this cake achieves a moist, nutty crumb that is naturally gluten-free and elegantly cloud-like.
Ingredients
The Almond Base
- 1 1/2 cups (144g) finely ground blanched almond flour
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
The Meringue Structure
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar or ACV
- Pinch of salt
The Garnish
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8 or 9-inch springform pan with parchment and grease the sides.
Base: Beat egg yolks, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup sugar until pale. Stir in almond flour, cardamom, and baking powder to form a thick paste.
Meringue: Beat egg whites with salt and vinegar. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar and beat until soft peaks form.
Fold: Stir a scoop of whites into the paste to loosen it. Gently fold in the remaining whites in batches, preserving the air.
Bake: Bake for 30 minutes until golden and set. Cool in the pan before dusting with powdered sugar.
Notes
Separation Anxiety: Ensure whites are completely free of yolk, or they won’t reach the volume needed for lift.
Folding: Use a light hand and a ‘cut and fold’ motion. This cake relies on the mechanical aeration of the whites rather than chemical leaveners alone.
Almond Flour: Use ‘super-fine blanched’ for a delicate crumb; almond meal will make the cake gritty.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking / Folding
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: flourless lemon almond cake, gluten free almond cake, mediterranean lemon cake, cardamon lemon dessert, healthy lemon cake, almond flour recipes, spring desserts