Looking for a truly light and fluffy almond flour cake? Then this is the recipe for you! With a mild sweetness and a fine crumb texture, no one will believe it’s sugar-free and keto-friendly.
I am delighted to re-introduce you to the cake recipe that started it all. This, right here, is the recipe that made me realize that I could create keto cakes that rival anything made with flour and sugar. In both taste AND texture!
This almond flour cake was a watershed moment in my keto baking career. Back in 2012, I came across a cookbook on coffee cakes and one called Almond Crusted Butter Cake caught my eye.
When I set about modifying the recipe to suit my low carb lifestyle, I had no idea it would turn out so spectacularly well. And that it would become the base recipe for so many of my other creations, like Keto Victoria Sponge Cake or my classic Keto Birthday Cake.
Then I let the poor thing languish in obscurity for more than a decade as I went on to create other keto treats. But it’s such a fabulous recipe that I figured the time was right to bring it back to your attention!
What’s so special about this recipe?
So what makes this almond flour cake recipe so incredible? To put it boldly, it has the perfect cake texture, with a fine crumb and a light, fluffy consistency. In my experimenting, I somehow hit upon the ideal ratio of almond flour to the other ingredients. It just works!
And it doesn’t require separating the eggs or beating the egg whites. It’s a straightforward process of beating softened butter with granulated sweetener, then adding eggs and dry ingredients.
The simplicity of the cake itself belies its utter deliciousness. It may not be as eye-catching something more decadent, like a keto chocolate cake with tons of creamy frosting. But it’s sweet and lovely, and really needs no other embellishment or garnish.
It’s also easy to make and looks so elegant with the sliced almonds baked right in. Have it as coffee cake with your morning coffee, or serve it with some whipped cream and berries for dessert. It’s always superb.
Readers love this almond flour cake!
“So yummy!!! I made this in a couple small loaf pans and cut it in small slices, I topped it with whipped cream and strawberry syrup…the cutest and most delicious strawberry shortcake ever! This was also amazing as is????” — Megan
“This is soooooo good! it’s definitely one of my two favorite keto desserts! I’m picky too. I’ve always loved almond cake so I was so happy to find a recipe that tasted like the real thing! Amazing!” — Laurie
“Thank you so much for this recipe, it is the first truly successful almond flour cake recipe I’ve followed! Really pleased with the results, such a tasty cake and the flaked almond crust really works well.” — Colin
Ingredients you need
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- Almond flour: Using good quality almond flour is extremely important for almond flour cake. Many brands say that they are finely ground but you can see the grainy texture when you bake with it. I always recommend Bob’s Red Mill for the finest almond flour.
- Protein powder: Please don’t skip this ingredient. Protein powder helps simulate the protein in gluten, helping baked goods rise properly and hold their shape. And it’s part of what makes this almond flour cake so spectacular!
- Butter: Use unsalted butter and make sure you let it soften properly so that the sweetener combines well. You could use coconut oil for a dairy-free version, but make sure it’s softened but not melted.
- Swerve sweetener: You need a granulated sweetener for this recipe to help whip air bubbles into the softened butter. It helps give the cake a lighter, airier consistency. You can try other sweeteners but I don’t recommend allulose as it makes cakes brown too quickly and look (and taste!) a little burnt.
- Almond extract: I think almond extract is perfect in this cake, but you could use vanilla. You could also do lemon, orange, or something really fun like caramel!
- Eggs: Make sure the eggs are room temperature before you add them, and beat them in one at a time. This creates a lighter, fluffier batter, which translates into a better texture for the cake.
- Liquid: I often use almond milk but you can also do water. For a richer flavor, use half heavy cream and half water.
- Pantry staples: Salt, baking powder.
Step by Step Directions
1. Prepare the pan: Butter a 9×5 inch metal loaf pan very well. Sprinkle the sides and bottom of the pan with sliced almonds, pressing into the butter to help it adhere.
2. Whisk the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Beat the butter: In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sweetener and beat until lightened and well-combined, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at time, scraping down the beaters and sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the almond extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients: Beat in half of the almond flour mixture, then beat in the almond milk. Beat in the remaining almond flour mixture until well combined.
5. Transfer to the pan: Spread the batter in the prepared pan, being careful not to dislodge the sliced almonds on the sides. Smooth the top.
6. Bake: Bake at 325ºF for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and just firm to the touch. Let cool 30 minutes in the pan before flipping out onto a wire rack.
Expert Tips
While this almond flour cake is easy to make, it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. I specify a metal loaf pan, because glass and ceramic bake very differently and don’t conduct heat nearly as well. So your cake will get brown on the outside but won’t cook through properly in the middle.
Protein powder is a critical ingredient in this recipe, as it helps create the ideal texture. I recommend whey or egg white protein powders, and some plant based versions may work as well. But I do not recommend collagen protein, as it will make the cake gummy and hard to cook through.
Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes but don’t leave it too much longer. I’ve noticed that loaf cakes are nice and loose at 30 to 60 minutes, but then start to re-stick to the pan after that. If you have any doubts about your pan, consider lining it with parchment paper.
Do NOT over-bake this cake. Please watch my YouTube video on Keto Cake Baking Tips for my best tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Used properly, almond flour can be used for baking wonderfully moist and fluffy cakes. But you do need to understand that it behaves very differently from wheat flour. It contains no gluten and far more moisture than wheat flour. I recommend reading Baking with Almond Flour for a better understanding of how it works.
Almond flour contains very few carbohydrates and has plenty of fiber, so it’s an excellent choice for people with diabetes. I find that baked goods made with almond flour do not spike my blood sugar.
This keto almond flour cake recipe has 7.3 grams of carbs and 3.4g of fiber per slice. Thus it has 3.9g net carbs per serving.
More keto almond flour cake recipes
Almond Flour Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (23 g) sliced almonds
- 3 cups (336 g) almond flour
- 1/3 cup (36 g) unflavored whey protein powder, or egg white protein powder
- 2 1/2 tsp (2.5 tsp) baking powder
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) salt
- 1/2 cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (136.5 g) Swerve Granular
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp almond extract, or vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (125 g) unsweetened almond milk, or half heavy cream and half water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and butter a 9×5 inch metal loaf pan very well. Sprinkle the sides and bottom of the pan with sliced almonds, pressing into the butter to help it adhere.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sweetener and beat until lightened and well-combined, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at time, scraping down the beaters and sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the almond extract.
- Beat in half of the almond flour mixture, then beat in the almond milk. Beat in the remaining almond flour mixture until well combined. Spread the batter in the prepared pan, being careful not to dislodge the sliced almonds on the sides. Smooth the top.
- Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and just firm to the touch. Let cool 30 minutes in the pan before flipping out onto a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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Just wondering if i use 1,5 cup coconut flour and 6 eggs, can i omit whey ? what does whey play in this cake ?
Whey helps it rise and holds its shape, just like gluten would (gluten is a protein). This is an almond cake, so I don’t think the coconut flour will work very well.
Can i substitute whey powder to psyllium husk ?
No, I don’t think that would work. It would make it soggy and gel-like.
Is this cake moist? It seems like everything I make is dried out and crumbly
yes, it is very moist. But you need to make sure to use proper almond FLOUR, quite finely ground. I love Bob’s Red Mill, but their almond flour isn’t fine enough for a cake like this.
I just unmolded this and it is cooling on the rack. I have to say it looks gorgeous. It was a little sunken in the center, but I was afraid of leaving it in longer for fear it would be dry and overcooked, because it was very brown. Only had a few wet crumbs clinging to my tester. Came out of the pan in a snap, hoping gravity and cooling makes the depression un-depress. 🙂 My only challenge was the stevia extract. I don’t know what 20 drops is supposed to be the equivalent of. I have liquid stevia, but not drops. I looked up Sweet Leaf stevia extract on Amazon and they said a serving is 5 drops, so I assumed this was equivalent to one teaspoon. Taste test tonight with my girls night. One friend is gluten free and I am low-carb which often translates to making gluten free foods. I try to only make sweets for company, so I am excited to taste.
Oh dear, no. 20 drops of liquid stevia extract is about 1/4 tsp. I hope you didn’t over sweeten this!
I didn’t mean one tsp of stevia I meant equals 1 tsp of sugar … since most sweeteners give you the equivalent in sugar. 🙂 I tasted the batter, it didn’t taste too sweet.
Everyone loved it, I would make it again. It actually wasn’t sweet enough, but still good. It was a little dry, but I don’t know if that was the protein powder I used. What brand of stevia drops do you use?
For liquid stevia, I usually use NuNaturals.
I’m at work and I’m starving. I just read this recipe and my mouth is watering. I’m making this tonight! Thankfully I have all the ingredients at home! Thank you!!!
Made this last night. I can’t imagine how a simple looking cake like this can be so delicious. YUM.
For the record – I replaced a few things as the Tiramisu recipe recommended and some personal preferences;
– No slivered almonds
– Vanilla flavoured whey, not unflavoured
– Vanilla essence, not almond
– Water, not almond milk. I always use water instead of almond milk in recipes like this.
Also, I find it nice to warm up the water gently and patiently dissolve the Erythritol. Too many times has this stuff left a grainy texture so this avoids that risk.
Mat
Great tips, thank you!
Hi Carolyn,
In your introduction to this recipe you said you adapted it from a bundt cake recipe and so halved it to make into a loaf. I love this recipe and wondered – if I were to make a bundt cake, should I double the amounts to make the portions appropriate for a bundt pan? And how would I adjust the baking time?
Actually, since I first developed this recipe, I’ve made similar ones in my bundt pan without doubling it and it works out quite well. It takes less time to bake because the batter is more spread out (more like 40 minutes). But if you do double it to make a really big cake, it would be great too but I am not sure how long it will take to cook. I always think to start with less time and check frequently. Start with 40 minutes and check every few minutes after that.
Hi Carolyn, is stevia glycerite OK to use for stevia drops?
Thank you soooo much!
I’m not positive but I think so. Maria Emmerich uses stevia glycerine a lot.
This recipe is just so delicious – I’ve made it twice now, once with almond crust and almond essence and once without almond crust and banana essence. Both yum, but dropped in the centre so I will have to lower my oven (as it was very brown) temp, cook longer and add some extra protein powder and see how I go 🙂 Thanks for this recipe, it is so filling!!!
I made the recipe last night and it turned out very well, but my final result does not look “yellow” as in your pictures above. I really feel the look of the final product will sell the taste. I am using almond flour but it has the almond “skin” in the mix so it looks much darker and denser. May I ask what almond flour you use? Would I be better off pulverizing almond slivers which have the brown skin removed to use as the almond flour?
Hi Dan. You can read all about almond flour and my favorite kinds right here: https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2013/02/low-carb-basics-baking-with-almond-flour.html The kind with the skins on is bound to make your cake a little darker and denser.
What is the best way to store this? Can it be left out on the counter or does it need to be refrigerated? Have you ever frozen slices individually?
It can be left on the counter for 2 to 3 days, depending on your climate (very hot and humid, I’d refrigerate it). I haven’t frozen slices but I have frozen it as muffins and it works very well.
OMG. This came out so very good. I can’t believe it! I could serve this to my family and they would never know it was low carb. It would be great for a tea party or a coffee get together. I am so grateful for this recipe! Thank you!
Such a simple, delicious, comforting cake! My mom loved it so much when I made it for her here in Ireland that now she is abroad she’s always pestering me to send her whey protein just so that she can make this cake! 🙂
You may have answered this already, but there are so many comments, no time to read them all. What size loaf pan did you use? A standard size or something smaller. I have several size loaf pans and want it to turn out perfectly. Thank you.
The standard 9×5 size pan. Make sure you are using Honeyville or a similarly finely ground almond flour for best results!
Hi Carolyn,
I’m so excited I found this blog! Your recipes look amazing (although I must admit I’ve basically only looked at the desserts). I do have one question about an ingredient I often see in your baked goods: protein powder.
I understand why you use it, but is it possible to substitute it for xanthan gum? And if so, what would be the sub rate: so if you call for 1/3 cup of whey powder, how much xanthan gum would I use?
Thanks so much!
No, it’s not possible to sub protein for xanthan gum, they don’t play the same role. Xanthan may help hold gluten-free baked goods together but it does not help them rise at all. If you don’t want to use whey protein, you can use hemp protein or powdered egg whites instead.
I just made the cake and it’s delicious! Not too sweet, lovely almond flavor, and the texture is awesome! Thank you so much!
Question 1: If I sub the almond extract for lemon and add poppy seeds, do you think the rest of this recipe would translate well into a lemon-poppy seed cake?
Question 2: When baking this cake, I ended up having to take it out at the 42 minute mark. I followed your recipe to a T, can you think of any reason why this would have been the case? I do have a gas oven, could this have been the reason? And, if so, does that mean I should always set my timer for less time than you recommend in your recipes?
Thanks again!
Hi Scarlett. I actually have used this recipe as a base for lemon poppyseed and it works great. You can see it here (I used lemon zest and some of the juice but extract would be good too) https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2013/01/lemon-poppyseed-bundt-cake-low-carb-and-gluten-free.html
Sounds to me like your oven runs very hot. I have a gas oven too and most people find that they need to go LONGER with my recipes, not shorter. In fact, I’ve started giving instructions with additional time because so many have said things haven’t been baked through at the times I’ve given. Ovens can differ a lot (and I keep meaning to get mine checked…you may want to get yours checked too!).
I would love to try some of your recipes! But I can’t have casein/whey and not sure if I can sub vegan protein powder.
Yes, you can use hemp protein powder. Should work fine!