Deliciously moist with undeniable orange flavor, that’s the only way to describe this French Orange and Almond Cake. The best part? It uses almond meal, not flour, so you’ll get less guilt in every bite of this flourless orange cake! Yum!

If I want a flavor-packed moist cake, this flourless orange almond cake is what I make – all the time.
It’s got the intense aroma and flavor of the oranges, subtle nuttiness of the almonds, and just the perfect amount of sugar to keep everything balanced.
It’s excellent with wine for after-meal dessert, and if by any chance you’ve got some left, this orange and almond cake is light enough to serve for breakfast!
IF YOU LIKE MORE DELICIOUS FRENCH DESSERTS, YOU WILL LIKE THESE POSTS!
Ingredients
- Oranges – you will be using the juice and the skin for this orange and almond cake recipe, so you need to look for really good fresh oranges.
- Sugar – regular granulated sugar is all you need.
- Almond meal – not almond flour. Almond meal is not as refined as almond flour in texture.
- Eggs – medium-sized eggs (63 to 73 grams per piece) and at room temperature.
- Baking powder – just use your favorite brand.
- Almonds – you need slices of almonds to top this flourless orange cake.
Preparation
Start preparing your flourless orange almond cake by using a medium-sized saucepan to boil the oranges over medium-high heat — add enough water to submerge the oranges (photo 1).
Adjust the heat to medium-low when the water boils and simmer for about two hours.
Drain the oranges.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Prepare an 8-inch baking pan by greasing it with butter and dusting it with flour.
Slice the oranges into quarters, remove the bitter part in the middle, and the eye in the center (photo 2).
Place the sliced oranges in a food processor (photo 3).
Pulse until you get a smooth puree (photo 4).
Add almond meal and sugar; mix (photo 5).
Add eggs and baking powder.
Mix until you get a smooth flourless orange cake batter (photo 6).
Pour batter into the greased and floured baking pan (photo 7).
Use a spatula to even out the top of the cake mixture.
Sprinkle sliced almonds on the flourless orange almond cake (photo 8).
Place the baking pan in the lower part of the oven for fifty-five to sixty minutes.
Set aside to cool for thirty minutes, then remove the cake from the pan.
Serve your flourless orange and almond cake with some powdered sugar or more chopped almonds.
Helpful tips
- For this recipe, I used two medium-sized oranges, not large ones.
If you want to be sure, check that the orange puree is about 1 & ½ cups. More than that, and I noticed that the cake is a bit too wet for my taste.
- Try to stick to a 7 or 8-inch round baking pan. Anything bigger than that will result in a flourless orange almond cake that is too thin.
- Dust the baking pan with all-purpose flour, not breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs will make the edges darken too much.
- Always place the baking pan on the lower half of the oven to avoid burning the almonds on top.
FAQs
- WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS?
In colder months, I only sprinkle it with powdered sugar. But from spring onwards, I always serve this orange and almond cake with some whipped cream – YUM!
In colder months, I only sprinkle it with powdered sugar. But from spring onwards, I always serve this flourless orange cake with some whipped cream – YUM!
Oh! As to what to pair it with? Tea, coffee, wine … anything goes. 🙂
- WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR ALMOND MEAL?
In case you’re wondering if you can use almond flour as a substitute. Don’t. It doesn’t work.
Almond meal works because its texture is coarser than almond flour.
If you are having a hard time looking for almond meal, just make it from scratch by blanching and grinding the almonds in the food processor – the same way as when you do homemade marzipan.
- CAN I REALLY USE THE WHOLE ORANGE?
Yes. But make sure you remove the bitter bits.
I have a friend who likes that bitter flavor in there, so she dumps the entire orange in the food processor.
I tried that, and I ended up adding tons of sugar in the mixture (before adding the eggs, of course).
- DO I NEED TO SIMMER THE ORANGES FOR THE ENTIRE TWO HOURS?
Yes. Simmering for two hours makes them less bitter; perfect for this flourless orange cake.
Once I drained the oranges after only simmering for an hour and a half, I kept all things the same (i.e., the amount of the rest of the ingredients) – the result turned out slightly bitter. Unless this is what you want, keep them there for two solid hours.
If you notice less water left, just add more, and continue simmering.
So how about it? Try preparing this flourless orange and almond cake this weekend!
French Orange and Almond Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Medium-Sized Saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 medium oranges, about 1 & 1/2 cups when pureed
- 2 & 1/2 cups almond meal
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 5 medium eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, place oranges and add enough water to submerge the oranges.
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and bring to a boil.
- Once the water boils, lower the heat and keep simmering for 2 hours.
- Drain oranges.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Grease an 8-inch baking pan with butter and dust with some flour.
- Slice the oranges into quarters and remove the bitter part in the middle and the main eye in the center.
- Place the sliced oranges in a food processor and pulse until you get a smooth puree.
- Add almond meal and sugar. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Add eggs and baking powder. Mix until you get a smooth batter.
- Pour cake batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Use a spatula to even out the top of the flourless orange cake batter.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds on top of the mixture.
- Place the baking pan in the lower part of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes.
- Let it cool for about 30 minutes, then remove the flourless orange cake from the pan.
- Dust with powdered sugar or add more sliced almonds on top.
- Your orange and almond cake is now ready for serving!
Notes
- Cook’s Tip #1: I used two medium-sized oranges for this recipe, not large ones. To be sure, check that the orange puree is about 1 & ½ cups. More than that, and your flourless orange cake will be too wet.
- Cook’s Tip #2: Use a 7 or 8-inch round baking pan. Anything bigger than that will result in a cake that is too thin.
- Cook’s Tip #3: Dust your baking pan with all-purpose flour, not breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs will make the edges of the cake too dark.
- Cook’s Tip #4: To avoid burning the almonds on top, place your baking pan on the lower half of the oven.
Niki Louca
Love to try this.
Can I double the recipe?
Neriz
Absolutely Niki.
Although, I’ve always used two separate cake pans when I double this recipe. If you are going to use only one pan, you definitely need to adjust the cooking time. I am not sure for how long since I have not actually done it that way.
Linda Hoe
Tried this recipe, it is easy and delicious. Good feedback. What’s more! I have some remainder of the orange purée and using the right ratio, I made some cookies using the same recipe and added some chocolate chips. Turn out successful. Ready enjoy it! Thank you @foodjourneys
Neriz
Thanks Linda! Glad you like it. 🙂
Martha
Wonderful dense cake…I accidentally made one too many oranges so I made an orange simple syrup to drizzle on the cake. Yum! 😋
Neriz
Glad you like it Martha!
Ooohh, gotta try the syrup next time — maybe this weekend since I saw beautiful oranges in the supermarket earlier. Thank you for the idea 🙂
Annabelle
Great cake and very tasty. I have one question though. The recipe states that the cake has 8 servings with 98 cal per slice. When counting everthing, each slice will have 350 cal.
Cyndee Marcus
Is it possible to cook the oranges in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) instead of on the stove?
Neriz
Sorry Cyndee, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had an Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, so I cannot really tell.
Angela
Yes! 10-15 minutes in a pressure cooker can replace the 2-hours boiling on the stovetop.
Neriz
Thank you so much for letting us know Angela! 🙂
Eileen
Love this recipe Best for use on Passover
Neriz
Thanks Eileen! 🙂
Eva Pavon Yanez
I have just made this today. It turned out delicious. Thank you for the recipe. When we ate it it was still a little warm and it was nice but two hours later when totally cool it tasted even better…. Will certainly bake again.
Neriz
You’re welcome Eva! Glad you liked it. 🙂
Susan
Thank you for the recipe. My first time making it and it smells wonderful! It’s still in the oven so haven’t tasted it yet but really looking forward to it. One question: does it freeze well. Thanks
Diana
Absolutely enjoyed making this treat! The whole process was fun. A little work and I had to make my own almond meal, but that was easy. Delicious and impressed my family!