This is the cake for almond lovers! This single-layer cake is moist and tender and packed with almond flavor. A combination of almond paste, almond extract, and sliced almonds make this the best almond cake ever! Prefer a bite-sized almond treat? Try our almond croissant bites.
“This was a big hit with my family. Everyone loved the flavor. Followed the recipe as written and served with non-dairy topping, blueberries and raspberries. Will definitely make again.” ★★★★★
– Sharla (reader)
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What sets this recipe apart
Easy one-bowl recipe: The cake batter comes together in a food processor in minutes!
Single layer: This is much faster and easier than a layer cake. And the sugared-almond topping eliminates the need for frosting!
Versatility: This cake can be served for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Serve it plain or topped with whipped cream and berries.
Recipe overview
*Full recipe below in recipe card.*
Step 1
Pulse almond paste and sugar in a food processor until finely ground.
Step 2
Add softened butter and process until combined.
Step 3
Add eggs and almond extract and process until combined.
Step 4
Sprinkle in flour, baking powder and salt. Give it a whirl until combined.
Step 5
Spread the batter into an 8-inch cake pan. Sprinkle sliced almonds and sugar over the top. Bake.
My recipe testing tips
Your almond paste should be soft, moist, and easy to break apart. The almond paste gets processed into the cake batter and adds texture and a sweet almond flavor to the cake.
I do not recommend trying to substitute the almond paste with another ingredient.
This cake is best when made in a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, you can make this almond cranberry cake (omit the cranberries or swap them for another berry).
When removing the cake from the pan a few of the sliced almonds might fall off. Just press them back on top of the cake.
Leftover almond paste? Make a batch of almond cherry bars OR tightly wrap it and freeze it for up to 6 months.
Serving options
This cake can be served anytime of day. It’s delicious plain alongside a cup of coffee or tea, or you can pair it with whipped cream and berries.
Berry topping: Warm berry jam to thin it out. Spoon some jam and whipped cream over the top of each slice of cake and top with fresh berries.
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Recipe
Almond Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 4 ounces almond paste
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping:
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- optional toppings (to serve): powdered sugar, whipped cream, fresh berries
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle of the oven. Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and grease the pan.
- Crumble almond paste into food processor bowl. Add granulated sugar and pulse until almond paste is finely ground. Add butter and process until smooth (it will turn into a ball; just keep processing until it smooths out). Add eggs and almond extract and process until combined, occasionally stopping the processor and scraping sides and bottom of bowl. Sprinkle in flour, baking powder, and salt, and process until blended.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan on the countertop a few times to remove air bubbles. Top the cake batter with sliced almonds and 1-2 tablespoons sugar (I like to add half the almonds, sprinkle over half the sugar, then repeat with remaining almonds and sugar).
- Bake for 23-26 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack. Cool for 30 minutes, then carefully remove it from the pan and place the cake back on the rack to cool. If a few almonds fall off the top you can just press them back on. If desired, you can dust the cake with powdered sugar or serve with the berry topping mentioned below.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!Recipe adapted from Good Housekeeping.
Jade Manning says
This Cake looks simply divine!
Lora says
I love cakes like this that are so simple and moist. And there are so many ways to make it more decadent if you want!!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This couldn’t look any more perfect! This looks fabulous!
Catalina says
I love the texture of this cake! Looks heavenly!
Beth Pierce says
This was such a decadent dessert! Made this for my husband’s birthday and had smiling faces all around the table!
Jenna says
This cake looks so perfect! I love the idea of topping it with jam and whipped topping and berries. I can practically taste it.
Sara Welch says
This will be perfect for my daughter’s bake sale for her dance team! Looks decadent!
kris says
Any chance you could do small cupcakes with this mix?
Celebrating Sweets says
Hi, Kris. You can make cupcakes, but this recipe produces a fairly dense cake with very little rise. Your cupcakes will not have a high dome or a light texture (as most cupcakes do), but they should still taste ok. Enjoy!
Cathie Rakovec says
I made this cake for my husband’s birthday. It is absolutely delicious. The cake has the texture of a pound cake, but the whipped cream topping and raspberries lighten it up. This is a keeper. Thank you for sharing!
Celebrating Sweets says
Thanks for the kind review, Cathie. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 -Allison
Eli Anselmi says
Is there a way to make this cake without a food processor? I have a KitchenAid Classic Mixer, but not a food processor.
Celebrating Sweets says
The food processor breaks down the almond paste so that it evenly distributes throughout the cake batter. I guess you could try making it with the paddle attachment on your mixer, but I would be concerned that the almond paste might not get smooth enough.