Flourless orange cake
Flourless orange cake is a moist, gluten-free dessert bursting with vibrant citrus flavors from whole fresh oranges. This rich yet light cake combines ground almonds and eggs for a tender crumb and dense texture without using any flour. Perfectly balanced between sweet and zesty, it’s an ideal treat for those seeking a simple, wholesome cake with a bright citrus aroma and versatile serving options.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour boiling time)
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 3 whole fresh oranges (unpeeled)
- 200g ground almonds (about 2 cups)
- 4 large eggs
- 200g sugar (about 1 cup)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 100ml olive oil or mild vegetable oil (about ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the Oranges: Wash and boil whole fresh oranges in a pot of water for about 1 hour until soft. This softens the peel, intensifies the citrus flavor, and ensures a smooth, bitterness-free puree.
- Blend the Oranges: Let the boiled oranges cool completely. Slice and remove any seeds, then puree the oranges thoroughly in a food processor or blender until completely smooth, creating a moist and dense base for the cake.
- Mix the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gently fold in the orange puree, ground almonds, baking powder, and oil. If using, add cinnamon or vanilla extract. Carefully combine to maintain airiness and light texture despite being flourless.
- Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a springform pan and pour the batter evenly into it. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Check starting at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing the springform ring. Cooling lets the flavors set and the texture stabilize, making slicing easier and ensuring a moist crumb.
Notes
- Use organic oranges for the best flavor since the whole fruit is used.
- Don’t skip boiling the oranges to soften the peel and eliminate bitterness.
- Beat eggs and sugar well to help the cake rise and develop a light crumb despite the lack of flour.
- Check doneness with a toothpick starting at 40 minutes, then every 5 minutes to prevent overbaking.
- Cool the cake fully in the pan to preserve moisture and prevent cracking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: flourless cake, orange cake, gluten free dessert, citrus cake, almond cake, gluten free baking