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.
Michele S. says
This almond cake is so easy and absolutely amazing!
Allison Mattina says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Tal says
My cake didn’t rise much at all. The paste stayed in the center and it became a dense thin layer cake. I used homemade almond paste that we ground ourselves with sugar. What went wrong?
Allison Mattina says
Hi! I think you might have done something wrong. There is no way for the paste to “stay in the center” as it is fully blended into the batter with a food processor. Did you use a food processor? If you didn’t, the almond paste very likely didn’t get properly blended.
Cathy says
very good cake and easy to make. I followed the recipe as described but used a 7 in round cake pan. The cake needed 40 min at 350F.
Allison Mattina says
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Lucy says
Great recipe! I lessened the sugar slightly (1/3 cup) and didn’t use a food processor but my stand mixer with whisk attachment and it still came out great! I just made sure to mix it extra well.
Allison Mattina says
Great! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂
Sarah says
Would it be possible to make this with any kind of gluten free flour? Almond flour for example?
Allison Mattina says
Hi! Almond flour won’t work, but you can try a 1:1 gluten free baking blend. Enjoy!
Kim says
This was great! I used two eggs instead of 3, it turned out light and fluffy.
Allison Mattina says
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Kari Toomey says
Wondering if you can use almond flour, instead of almond paste?
Allison Mattina says
Hi! Unfortunately that substitute will not work for this recipe. The almond paste is needed. Thanks for stopping by!
Bonnie O’Malley says
I have made this cake many times. It’s amazing. I double the almond paste because I love almond. I highly recommend this recipe.
Allison Mattina says
Thanks for the kind review! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Patricia says
Made this cake today with 1-1 gluten free flour so that my daughter could enjoy it too. It was delicious, lite, fluffy, and awesome almond flavor. So easy to whip together in my processor. I will be making a lot! Thanks for a great, easy and smallish dessert.
Allison Mattina says
You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Deb Bourke says
I want to make this but I do not have a food processor. Can I use beaters?
Allison Mattina says
Hi, Deb. You can. I think the texture is better when made in the food processor, but it will work with a hand mixer. Just be sure to beat the almond paste well so there are no chunks in the batter.