Honey Almond Cake — honey-and-almond-meal loaf perfumed with citrus
Honey almond cake is a moist, gluten-free Middle Eastern and Mediterranean loaf made with ground almonds, honey, eggs and citrus zest. The texture is dense and damp; the flavour is dominated by the honey and the warm spice of cardamom and cinnamon.
i. Origin & history
The recipe is found in different forms from Greece (karydopita, walnut-based) to Lebanon to Spain (the torta de almendra de Santiago). All share the common base of ground nuts, honey or sugar, eggs, and citrus.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 10 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 300 g ground almonds
- 6 large eggs
- 250 g honey
- 100 g caster sugar
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 60 g flaked almonds
- 2 tbsp honey (to glaze)
iii. Method
- Heat oven to 170 °C. Grease and line a 22 cm round tin.
- Whisk eggs, honey, sugar, zests, spices and salt until pale and frothy.
- Fold in ground almonds to a thick batter.
- Pour into the tin; sprinkle flaked almonds across the top.
- Bake 40-45 min until deeply golden and just set in the middle.
- Warm 2 tbsp honey and brush over the hot cake. Cool in the tin before turning out.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Karydopita uses walnuts. Torta Santiago uses sugar instead of honey and a deeper almond ratio. Rosewater-and-pistachio versions are common in Iran.
vi. Common questions
What is honey almond cake?
Honey Almond Cake is honey-and-almond-meal loaf perfumed with citrus, from middle eastern cuisine. The texture is dense and damp; the flavour is dominated by the honey and the warm spice of cardamom and cinnamon
Where is honey almond cake from?
Honey Almond Cake is from the middle eastern dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does honey almond cake keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 5 days at room temperature.