Description
A moist and tender flourless orange cake bursting with fresh citrus flavor, naturally gluten-free, and made using whole oranges, almond meal, and simple pantry staples. Perfect for celebrations or a quick homemade dessert that offers vibrant color, irresistible taste, and a soft crumb without any wheat flour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium whole oranges (including peel)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups almond meal or ground almonds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Prepare the oranges: Thoroughly wash two medium-sized oranges and simmer them whole in water for about 1 hour until they become soft. This process removes bitterness and tenderizes the peel, making it suitable for blending.
- Puree the oranges: Once cooled, cut the oranges into quarters, remove any seeds, and blend them into a smooth puree using a food processor or blender. This puree forms the juicy base of your cake and infuses bright citrus flavor.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the olive oil and orange zest until well combined, building richness in the batter.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, gently mix the almond meal with baking powder. These ingredients provide the structure and help the cake rise softly without flour.
- Fold all components together: Gradually fold the orange puree and dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Take care not to overmix to keep the cake tender and light.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined springform pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing it. This resting time allows the texture to set perfectly. Serve as-is or with a dusting of powdered sugar or your favorite glaze.
Notes
- Use ripe, unwaxed oranges for the best natural flavor and to avoid coatings on the peel.
- Simmer the oranges gently to prevent bitterness and preserve bright citrus notes.
- Do not overmix the batter; fold ingredients carefully to maintain a tender crumb.
- Check baking doneness starting 5 minutes before the timer ends to prevent dryness.
- Cool the cake inside the pan to lock in moisture and keep it soft.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: flourless orange cake, gluten free cake, citrus dessert, almond meal cake, homemade cake, orange zest cake
