Orange and Almond Cake
A flourless cake made from whole oranges, boiled until soft and blended, with eggs, sugar and ground almonds. Dense, moist and fragrant, and naturally gluten-free.
How to Make Orange and Almond Cake
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Put the whole oranges in a saucepan, cover with water, bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes, topping up the water if needed, until very soft. Drain and let them cool for 20 minutes.
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Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F and grease and line a 23 cm springform cake tin.
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Cut the oranges in half, remove any pips, and blend the oranges, skin and all, in a food processor to a smooth purée.
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Beat the eggs and sugar for 3 minutes, until pale and thick. Fold in the ground almonds, baking powder and orange purée until evenly combined.
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Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, covering with foil after 35 minutes if the top is browning too fast, until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
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Cool in the tin for 30 minutes, then release and dust with icing sugar.
Tips for Making Orange and Almond Cake
- Boil the oranges until they are completely soft. Under-cooked peel stays bitter, and it should collapse when pressed.
- Purée the whole fruit, skin and pith included. The peel carries most of the flavour, and it turns sweet and mellow in the cooking.
- Cover the cake with foil if it browns too fast. The batter is dense and wet, and it needs a long bake, and the top can darken before the centre sets.
What to Serve with Orange and Almond Cake
- Thick Greek yoghurt
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
Storing & Reheating Orange and Almond Cake
Keeps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.
Orange and Almond Cake FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Orange and Almond Cake take to make?
About 2 hours 50 minutes in total — 20 minutes of preparation and 2 hours 30 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 12.
What are the key tips for making Orange and Almond Cake?
Boil the oranges until they are completely soft. Under-cooked peel stays bitter, and it should collapse when pressed. Purée the whole fruit, skin and pith included. The peel carries most of the flavour, and it turns sweet and mellow in the cooking. Cover the cake with foil if it browns too fast. The batter is dense and wet, and it needs a long bake, and the top can darken before the centre sets.
What should I serve with Orange and Almond Cake?
Thick Greek yoghurt; Whipped cream; Fresh berries.
Can Orange and Almond Cake be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.
Is Orange and Almond Cake suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Orange and Almond Cake?
About 277 kcal per serving, with 8 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate and 13 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Orange and Almond Cake Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
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