Almond Cake
Contents
This almond cake is a delightful addition to the Mediterranean diet, known for emphasizing wholesome, natural ingredients. Rich in almonds and citrus, this almond cake is both flavorful and nutritious, offering a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors. It’s ideal for any occasion and will become a favorite in your recipe collection.
This is a Portuguese Almond Cake for breakfast, known as “Bolo de Amêndoa,” which is a delicious and indulgent treat for breakfast. This moist and nutty cake showcases the traditional flavors of almonds and citrus, making it a delightful morning delight.
Benefits of Eating Almonds:
Rich in Healthy Fats: Almonds are packed with monounsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy and help lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL), reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
High in Nutrients: Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, manganese, and fiber, all of which are important for overall health. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps protect your cells from oxidative stress.
Supports Weight Management: Despite being calorie-dense, almonds can help with weight management. Their protein, fiber, and healthy fat content promote satiety, reducing overall calorie intake.
Blood Sugar Control: Almonds are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber and healthy fats, making them ideal for people managing blood sugar levels. They also have a low glycemic index, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Bone Health: Almonds are a source of magnesium and calcium, both essential for maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis.
Benefits of Almond Flour:
Gluten-Free: Almond flour is naturally gluten-free, making it a great alternative for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
Low in Carbs: Almond flour is much lower in carbohydrates compared to traditional wheat flour, making it an excellent choice for those following low-carb or keto diets.
Rich in Nutrients: Like whole almonds, almond flour contains healthy fats, fiber, protein, and vitamins such as vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties that can protect against inflammation and oxidative damage.
Promotes Heart Health: Almond flour retains the heart-healthy fats from almonds, helping to reduce bad cholesterol and promote overall cardiovascular health.
Improves Satiety: Almond flour’s high protein and fat content can keep you feeling full longer, helping with appetite control and weight management.
Incorporating almonds and almond flour into your diet is an easy way to boost your intake of healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients while supporting heart health and blood sugar control.
Almond Cake Recipe
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time of Cooking: 1 hour
Category: Breakfast
Servings: 8
Almond Cake Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour: Provides a nutty flavor and moist texture while adding a gluten-free element to the cake.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: Adds structure and lightness to the cake, balancing the density of the almond flour.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and contributes to its moistness and tenderness.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cake rise and become fluffy.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness and highlighting the other ingredients.
- 3 large eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and richness to the cake, aiding in its rise and texture.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and moisture to the cake, giving it a tender crumb.
- Zest of 1 lemon: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the sweetness and enhances the overall taste.
- Zest of 1 orange: Provides a fragrant, citrusy aroma and a subtle sweetness that pairs well with the lemon zest.
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice: Adds moisture and a fresh citrus flavor, contributing to the cake’s overall brightness.
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds (for garnish): Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, making the cake visually appealing.
- Powdered sugar (for dusting): Adds a touch of sweetness and a decorative finish, enhancing the cake’s appearance.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Whisk the almond flour, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Add the melted butter, lemon zest, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top.
- Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean.
- Allow the Portuguese Almond Breakfast Cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving. Slice and enjoy this delightful almond-infused treat as part of your Portuguese-inspired breakfast.
Almond Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds for garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Whisk the almond flour, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Add the melted butter, lemon zest, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top.
- Bake the cake in the oven for approximately 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean.
- Allow the Portuguese Almond Breakfast Cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving. Slice and enjoy this delightful almond-infused treat as part of your Portuguese-inspired breakfast.
Almond cake Nutritional Information per Serving:
Calories: 320 kcal
Protein: 8g
Fat: 25g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 2g
This Almond Cake recipe is included in The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners: 84 Delicious Recipes With 7-Day Meal Plan that includes 84 Flavorful Recipes: From breakfast to Dinner and snacks, you’ll find a diverse selection of Mediterranean dishes suitable for any occasion, like Cypriot Tavas Lamb Stew, Dalmatian Tomato Soup, Gazpacho, Greek Lentil Soup, Italian Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Moroccan Chickpea Tagine, Portuguese Fish Stew and much more.
