Flourless Honey-Almond Cake

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Honey and almonds flavor this simple (and gluten-free) cake. It's lovely for afternoon tea or a spring holiday dessert. Be careful not to overbeat the egg whites--they should be white and very foamy, but not at all stiff or able to hold peaks. If you beat them too much, the cake may sink in the middle as it cools.

Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs
Servings:
10
Yield:
10 servings

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 1/2 cups whole almonds, toasted (see Tip)

  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature (see Tip), separated

  • ½ cup honey

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon salt

Topping

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see Tip)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper and spray the paper.

  2. Process whole almonds in a food processor or blender until finely ground (you will have about 1 3/4 cups ground). Beat 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup honey, vanilla, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer (or use a paddle attachment on a stand mixer) on medium speed until well combined. Add the ground almonds and beat on low until combined.

  3. Beat 4 egg whites in another large bowl with the electric mixer (use clean beaters on a hand-held mixer or the whisk attachment on a stand mixer) on medium speed until very foamy, white and doubled in volume, but not stiff enough to hold peaks, 1 to 2 minutes (depending on the type of mixer). Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the nut mixture until just combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

  4. Bake the cake until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 28 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and gently remove the side ring. Let cool completely.

  5. If desired, remove the cake from the pan bottom by gently sliding a large, wide spatula between the cake and the parchment paper. Carefully transfer the cake to a serving platter. To serve, drizzle the top of the cake with honey and sprinkle with sliced almonds.

    a slice of cake on a plate

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Store the cooled cake airtight at room temperature for up to 1 day. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with almonds just before serving.

Equipment: 9-inch springform pan, parchment paper

Tip: To toast whole almonds, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. To toast sliced almonds, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Note: Eggs must be at room temperature for the proteins to unwind enough to support the cake's crumb. Either set the eggs out on the counter for 15 minutes or submerge them in their shells in a bowl of lukewarm (not hot) water for 5 minutes before using.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

235 Calories
14g Fat
22g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Serving Size 1 slice
Calories 235
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 17g
Added Sugars 16g 32%
Protein 8g 15%
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 74mg 25%
Vitamin A 108IU 2%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Folate 22mcg 5%
Sodium 208mg 9%
Calcium 19mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Magnesium 9mg 2%
Potassium 56mg 1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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