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    BLANK » Recipe Index » Dessert

    Gluten Free Orange and Almond Cake

    Last Updated January 16, 2023. Published August 1, 2020 By Charla 8 Comments

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    slice of cake
    slice of cake being lifted

    Satisfy your sweet tooth craving with this extra moist cake, totally flourless courtesy of the ground almonds with a hint of cornmeal. Baked to perfection then drizzled with complimentary orange syrup.

    slice of cake being lifted

    Lately I've been thinking about making a few cake and pudding recipes and the reason for this is because extra sweet treats are actually my weakness.

    If you have a sweet tooth just like I do then you will love this cake, it's gluten free and totally flourless.

    close up of the sliced cake

    Yes I'm not afraid to admit that I lack strength in certain aspects of the culinary world. Contrary to popular belief, us foodies aren't born geniuses we have to cultivate and harness our skills.

    As I have always said, there is plenty of trial and error that goes on this Charla's kitchen.

    However, this flourless gluten free orange and almond cake was definitely a hit and one that I have made over and over again to ensure I get the exact same results each time before posting the recipe on the blog.

    The balance of ground almonds with cornmeal (use the extra fine texture) really helps to complete the cake - add the zest and juice of a large orange and voila - enjoy, but remember to share the cake.

    Flourless cakes are the way forward now, gone are the days for using conventional flour and with so many people with dietary requirements more and more people are seeking alternative ways to make their favourite food and lead what's considers a normal lifestyle.

    Ingredients you will need

    ingredients for the gluten free orange and almond cake

    Reasons you make this cake

    • It takes less than 1 hour to bake the cake
    • The cake is super moist and fluffy
    • It's gluten free
    • Totally flourless so great for people who want a flour free alternative
    • Wheat free
    • Perfect crowd pleaser or potluck recipe.
    • Contains orange - great if you are an orange lover!!

    The steps

    steps 1-4 creaming the butter, sugar and adding the almonds and eggs

    • Line a cake tin with parchment paper and grease the sides then preheat the oven at 180c/356f/gas mark 4
    • Place the butter and sugar in a bowl, using an electric whisk on the slowest speed cream the butter and sugar. Increase the speed to create a light and fluffy mixture.
    • Gradually add the zest, baking powder, orange juice and vanilla continuing to whisk all the time until all 3 ingredients are evenly combined.

    steps 5-8 mixing the cake batter

    • add half of the eggs and then half of the cornmeal and almond meal then whisk for one minute
    • Then add the rest of the eggs, cornmeal and almond meal and whisk for a further minute.
    • Use a spoon to fold in the almond flakes into a smooth cake batter.
    • Scoop the batter into the cake tin and bake in the oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a metal skewer (can use a knife) comes out clean.
    • Transfer the cake onto a cooling rack to completely cool down
    • Prepare the orange syrup by adding the orange juice and coconut sugar to a small saucepan.
    • Bring to the boil while stirring before reducing to a simmer.
    • Continue to mix until the orange darkens and the juice becomes a slightly thick syrup texture. This should take about 10-15 minutes.

    Notes and tips

    • The syrup is optional, you don't have to make the syrup however it does enhance the taste of orange.
    • If you choose not to make the syrup simply omit and add more zest from an orange to compensate.
    • Make sure the butter is room temperature before you start.
    • I recommend using a spring form pan as they are relatively easy to remove the cake. I used an 8'' inch cake pan to make this recipe.
    • This cake browns very quickly, it took about 30 minutes to bake. You will want to start testing its readiness around 25 minutes.
    • You can use an electric hand mixer like I did or a stand mixer.

    syrup drizzled onto the cake

    Other gluten free cakes you will love

    • Jamaican Toto
    • Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake
    • Gluten Free Coconut Rum Cake
    • Sweet Potato Pudding
    • Gluten Free Apple Crisp
    • Jamaican Ginger Cake

    **Don't forget to comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Let's be friends and engage on Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**

    close up of the cake slice

    Gluten Free Orange and Almond Cake

    Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian almond cake that's flourless and delicious!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 557kcal
    Author: Charla

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cup of ground almonds
    • ½ cup of extra fine organic cornmeal
    • 1 cup of coconut sugar
    • 1 cup of dairy free butter softened
    • 3 large free range eggs cracked
    • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder
    • ½ cup of almond flakes
    • zest of one large orange and the juice
    • extra for the topping

    To make the orange syrup

    • 2 cups of orange juice
    • 1 cup of coconut sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves

    Instructions

    • Line a cake tin with parchment paper and grease the sides then preheat the oven at 180c/356f/gas mark 4
    • Place the butter and sugar in a bowl, using an electric whisk on the slowest speed cream the butter and sugar. Increase the speed to create a light and fluffy mixture.
    • Gradually add the zest, baking powder, orange juice and vanilla continuing to whisk all the time until all 3 ingredients are evenly combined.
    • Add half of the eggs and then half of the cornmeal and almond meal then whisk for one minute.
    • Then add the rest of the eggs, cornmeal and almond meal and whisk for a further minute.
    • Use a spoon to fold in the almond flakes into a smooth cake batter.
    • Scoop the batter into the cake tin and bake in the oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until metal skewer (can use a knife) comes out clean.
    • Transfer the cake onto a cooling rack to completely cool down.
    • Prepare the orange syrup by adding the orange juice and coconut sugar to a small saucepan.
    • Bring to the boil while stirring before reducing to a simmer.
    • Continue to mix until the orange darkens and the juice becomes a slightly thick syrup texture. This should take about 10-15 minutes.

    Notes

    • The syrup is optional, you don't have to make the syrup however it does enhance the taste of orange.
    • If you choose not to make the syrup simply omit and add more zest from an orange to compensate.
    • Make sure the butter is room temperature before you start. 
    • I recommend using a spring form pan as they are relatively easy to remove the cake. I used an 8'' inch cake pan to make this recipe.
    • This cake browns very quickly, it took about 30 minutes to bake. You will want to start testing its readiness around 25 minutes.
    • You can use an electric hand mixer like I did or a stand mixer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 557kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 226IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ThatGirlCooksHealthy or tag #ThatGirlCooksHealthy!

    « How to Make Coconut Milk
    Vegan Almond Milk Recipe »
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    About Charla

    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nadine Balestrino

      January 31, 2018 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      Can almond flour be used in place of ground almonds? And what would the amount be?

      Reply
      • Charla

        January 31, 2018 at 2:21 pm

        Hi Nadine. Yes you can do a direct substitution of almond flour in place of almond meal and the results should be the same.

        Reply
    2. sheik

      November 01, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      is there a substitute for eggs?

      Reply
      • Charla

        November 01, 2017 at 9:11 pm

        You can try making the cake with flax eggs. Lots of vegan use this method and here is the recipe https://thatgirlcookshealthy.com/how-to-make-a-flax-egg-substitue

        Reply
    3. Zara

      September 17, 2017 at 9:10 am

      What size cake pan did you use in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Charla

        September 17, 2017 at 9:33 am

        I believe the pan was an 8inch cake pan

        Reply
    4. Sean Mahan

      July 06, 2017 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      The recipe is great, I'm just curious if it would work to use stevia instead of coconut sugar.. The taste probably won't be the same, but it could still be delicious,

      Reply
      • Charla

        July 07, 2017 at 7:06 am

        Yes, stevia would work fine. Any granular sugar so long as it's low glycemic should be a good replica.

        Reply

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    I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes. Learn more about me

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