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–+ servings
Delicious Italian Almond Orange Cake with vibrant orange zest and almond topping

Italian Almond and Orange Cake

A fragrant and moist cake that combines the nutty flavor of almond meal with the bright citrus notes of fresh orange zest, perfect for cozy fall baking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 slices
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the cake

  • 2 cups 2 cups (200g) almond meal (finely ground almonds) Use finely ground almond meal for the best texture.
  • 1 cup 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large 3 large eggs, at room temperature Using eggs at room temperature helps the batter come together more evenly.
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup (120ml) neutral oil (vegetable or light olive oil)
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice Fresh juice provides the best flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Zest of 2 large oranges (about 2 tablespoons) Zest is important for flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for dusting) Optional for serving.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until slightly pale and combined. Add the oil, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla, whisking until smooth.

Mixing and Baking

  • Stir in the almond meal, baking powder, and salt until just combined. The batter will be thick and fragrant.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then release the springform and cool completely on a wire rack.

Finishing Touches

  • Dust with powdered sugar before serving, or drizzle a little extra orange glaze if you like.

Notes

For best results, do not overbake the cake to ensure it stays moist. Room temperature ingredients yield a better batter. For storage: keep at room temperature loosely covered for up to 2 days, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 150mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15g
Keyword Almond Cake, Cozy Desserts, fall baking, gluten-free, Orange Cake
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