Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake: Moist, Easy & Naturally Sweet

Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake has become one of the most beloved recipes in my kitchen, and not just because it’s incredibly moist and naturally gluten free. It’s the kind of cake that brings comfort and brightness in every bite, especially when the weather cools and we crave something warm, nourishing, and sweet.

Ciao! I’m Matteo Romano, a Tuscan-born chef now based in the U.S., and this is GoldenGlutenFree.com, my space to share gluten free recipes rooted in Italian tradition and powered by a love for healthy living. I wasn’t always gluten free. After years of unexplained fatigue, I discovered I was gluten-intolerant. That moment transformed both my life and my cooking.

This Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake is my modern take on a classic citrus torta from my childhood, one that my nonna used to bake with love and serve with tea in the late afternoons. She’d use whole oranges and ground nuts, creating something that was fragrant, rustic, and deeply satisfying. Today, I’ve recreated that same experience in a version that’s not only gluten free but grain-free and dairy-free too, without compromising flavor or texture.

Let’s bake this soft, golden cake together. You’ll love how simple it is to make and how it fills your home with the smell of citrus sunshine.

Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake

Matteo

This Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake is moist, fragrant, and naturally grain-free, made with whole oranges, almond flour, and just the right amount of sweetness. Inspired by a classic Tuscan torta, it’s perfect with tea, for holidays, or as a cozy everyday dessert.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Cooling Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine Gluten Free, Italian

Servings 10 slices

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

• pot
• blender or food processor
• mixing bowl
• whisk
• Springform pan (9-inch)
• oven
• parchment paper

Ingredients

  

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Main Cake

• 2 large oranges seedless
• 6 eggs room temperature
• 1 cup coconut sugar or maple sugar
• 2 1/2 cups almond flour extra fine grind preferred
• 1 tsp baking powder gluten-free certified
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon optional

Instructions

 

• Place whole oranges in a pot of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 40–45 minutes until soft. Let cool, remove any seeds, and blend into a smooth purée (peel included).
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs and coconut sugar until fluffy (about 1–2 minutes).
• Stir in the orange purée and vanilla extract.
• Add almond flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Mix until fully combined. Batter will be thick and aromatic.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the base with parchment paper.
• Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
• Let cake cool completely in the pan before removing. Serve as-is or with a glaze or whipped coconut cream.

Notes

This cake is even better the next day! Store in an airtight container and let it come to room temp before serving. For a twist, add a streusel topping before baking or use sunflower seed flour to make it nut-free.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 9gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 4gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 1.6mg

Keyword Almond, dairy-free, Grain-Free, Orange

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake

You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients for this cake, just real, wholesome items you probably already have in your pantry.

Fresh & Pantry Staples

• 2 large oranges, whole and seedless
• 6 eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup coconut sugar (or maple sugar for a milder taste)
• 2½ cups almond flour (extra fine grind works best)
• 1 tsp baking powder (gluten-free certified)
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: ½ tsp cinnamon for a warming note

This cake is naturally sweetened by the oranges and doesn’t need any additional citrus zest. Boiling the whole fruit gives the cake its unique texture and aroma.

For more citrusy bakes, you’ll enjoy this gluten-free lemon bars recipe, a reader favorite all summer long.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake

This cake is delightfully easy to make and beginner-friendly. No mixer required, just a pot, a blender, and a bowl.

Step 1: Boil the Oranges

• Place the whole oranges in a pot of water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 40–45 minutes until soft.
• Let them cool. Remove any seeds and blend into a thick, smooth purée (peel included!).

Boiling removes the bitterness from the peel and intensifies the citrus oils. Don’t skip this step, it’s the secret to that vibrant flavor.

Step 2: Mix the Batter

In a large bowl:

• Whisk the eggs and sugar until fluffy (about 1–2 minutes).
• Stir in the orange purée and vanilla.
• Add almond flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
• Mix until fully combined. The batter will be thick and fragrant.

Step 3: Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the base with parchment.
• Pour in the batter and smooth the top.
• Bake for 50–60 minutes until golden and set in the center.
• Let it cool completely in the pan before removing.

If you love naturally sweet desserts like this, you’ll also enjoy these mini gluten-free vegan apple muffins, another great fall treat.

Tips for a Perfect Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake

To help you get it just right every time, here are my go-to baking tips.

Choose Sweet, Juicy Oranges

The flavor of this cake depends entirely on the quality of your oranges. Use ripe, seedless navel oranges or Cara Cara for natural sweetness and low bitterness.

Don’t Underbake

Because this cake is moist, it needs time in the oven. The top should be golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter.

Let It Cool Fully

This is a cake that firms as it cools. For clean slices and best texture, wait until it’s completely cool before serving or slicing.

Love soft, satisfying cakes? Try this gluten-free marble bundt cake next, it’s a rich showstopper.

Variations to Try (All Gluten-Free!)

One of the best things about this recipe? It’s flexible. Here are some tasty ways to make it your own.

With Streusel Topping

Add a cinnamon almond crumble before baking:

• ½ cup almond flour
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• Pinch of salt & cinnamon

Mix with a fork and sprinkle on top before baking. It adds texture and warmth.

Make It Nut Free

Swap almond flour with sunflower seed flour (1:1). The flavor changes slightly, but it’s still rich and dense.

For a chocolate twist, check out this dairy-free gluten-free chocolate cake, it’s decadent and simple to make.

How to Store Your Orange Almond Cake

This cake keeps beautifully, here’s how to store it so you can enjoy it all week.

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Refrigerated

Wrap slices or store the whole cake in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.

Freezing

Freeze whole or sliced, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm gently if desired.

For more sweet options that freeze well, check out this round-up of gluten-free dessert recipes.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake is a bright, cheerful dessert with old-world charm. It’s the kind of cake you’ll reach for when you want something not too sweet, deeply satisfying, and easy to make. Whether you serve it as a holiday centerpiece or a Sunday afternoon treat, it brings warmth and comfort to any table.

And if you’re hungry for more treats like this, don’t miss this gluten-free carrot cake or these no-fail gluten-free brownies, two more cozy favorites from my kitchen to yours.