Delicious and Moist Orange Almond Pound Cake Recipe
If you are looking for an amazing gluten-free dessert recipe, then look no further than this Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake! Made without any gluten-containing ingredients, this cake is perfect for anyone with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. And even if you don’t have any dietary restrictions, you’ll love the moist and tender texture of this cake, which is packed with bright orange flavor and the nutty goodness of almonds.
What sets this recipe apart from other pound cakes is the use of fresh whole oranges in the batter. Yes, you read that right – we actually puree two whole oranges (skin and all!) to create a juicy and flavorful base for our cake. This helps keep the cake incredibly moist and gives it a natural orange color and flavor that simply can’t be replicated with artificial flavorings or extracts.
But that’s not all – we also use ground almonds (also known as almond meal or flour) to give this pound cake a rich and nutty undertone. It’s the perfect complement to the bright citrus flavor of the oranges. And because there’s no wheat flour in this recipe, it’s naturally gluten-free and even lower in carbs than traditional pound cakes.
Whether you are looking for a gluten-free dessert option or just want to indulge in something sweet and delicious, this Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake is sure to satisfy your cravings. So let’s get started on making what promises to be one of your new favorite cakes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
My dear readers, let me introduce you to my Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake recipe. If you’re looking for a gluten-free, moist and delicious cake, this is the perfect recipe for you. Trust me when I say that this recipe has all the elements to make your taste buds dance with joy!
Firstly, this cake is made with gluten-free flour, almond meal and ground almonds which adds a nutty flavor that perfectly complements the orange flavor. Moreover, it contains freshly squeezed orange juice and orange zest which give it a refreshing and citrusy aroma.
Secondly, this recipe is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients that are easily accessible, including eggs at room temperature, butter, sugar and buttermilk.
Thirdly, one of the best aspects of this recipe is its versatility. You can use it as a base to create different variations such as adding chocolate chips or serving it with whipped cream.
Lastly, this cake is perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a birthday party or an afternoon tea time, this cake will always impress your guests with its amazing flavors and beautiful presentation.
In conclusion, trust me when I say that you’ll love my Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake for its delicious flavor, easy preparation method, versatility and presentation. Once you try it, I’m sure it will quickly become one of your favorite recipes!
Ingredient List
Here are the gluten-free ingredients you’ll need to make this amazing orange almond pound cake:
For the Cake
- 2 cups of almond flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon of orange zest (freshly grated)
- 2/3 cup of softened butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum
- 2 tablespoons each of tapioca starch and potato starch
For the Orange Glaze
- Juice and zest from one fresh orange
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
Optional Additions
- Sliced almonds for topping
All ingredients can be found at your local grocery store.
The Recipe How-To
Let’s dig into the heart of this recipe! To make this Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake, here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F, and then prepare a loaf pan by generously greasing with non-stick cooking spray or butter, then line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of almond flour, 1/4 cup of tapioca starch, 1/4 cup of potato starch, 1/4 cup of xanthan gum, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
Step 3: Process Whole Oranges
On your food processor, add in 2 whole oranges, roughly sliced into small pieces. Blitz until you get a chunky orange puree.
Step 4: Beat Together Wet Ingredients
In a separate large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together 1 cup (or 2 sticks) softened unsalted butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add in zest from one orange and beat until combined. One at a time, beat in 5 eggs at room temperature, followed by 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and then the orange puree until everything is well blended.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Carefully pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, using a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything together until fully incorporated. Finally, add in 2 cups of ground almonds and fold until just combined.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out evenly with a spatula. Bake for around 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Decorate
Remove the pan from the oven and allow cooling for about 10-15 minutes before removing the cake from the pan. Allow to cool completely before dusting it with powdered sugar, or drizzle some fresh orange juice glaze on top with a bit of extra zest for garnish.
There you have it! A delicious gluten-free orange almond pound cake that is sure to impress anyone who gets to taste it.
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is already versatile because of its gluten-free and vegan options, but if you want to switch things up or substitute some ingredients, fret not, because I’ve got you covered.
If you wish to make this cake lower in carbs or keto-friendly, swap the tapioca starch and potato starch with coconut flour. You may need to play around with the measurements to achieve the desired consistency, but this will definitely cut down on the carb content.
For those who want a stronger citrus flavor, you can add more orange zest or freshly squeezed orange juice into the batter. You can also use lemon zest and juice instead for a zesty lemon pound cake variation.
For an almond-packed chocolate version, replace a quarter of the almond flour with cocoa powder and add half a cup of dark chocolate chips. This will give you a rich chocolate almond flavor that hits all the right notes.
If you’re feeling fancy and want to impress others with your baking skills, try out the Spanish Tarta de Santiago variation. The Tarta de Santiago is an almond tart that is traditionally made in Spain. To make this variation, simply reduce the sugar quantity by half and add two cups of ground almonds instead of one cup of almond flour. Top it off with a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.
Regardless of your choice of variation, this recipe is adaptable to any preferences or dietary restrictions without compromising its amazing flavor.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing this amazing orange almond pound cake, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can eat it plain as a simple yet satisfying dessert, or you can dress it up with toppings like powdered sugar, fresh berries, whipped cream or melted chocolate. The possibilities are endless.
For an extra burst of orange flavor, you can drizzle some freshly squeezed orange juice on top of the cake or make an orange glaze with powdered sugar and orange zest. This will not only add an extra layer of sweetness but also make the cake look more attractive.
Pairing wise, this gluten-free cake goes well with a cup of tea or hot cocoa in the evening or even as breakfast with coffee or milk on the side. I personally recommend French press coffee to complement its nutty and citrusy flavors which balance each other out perfectly.
This cake is also a great addition to any brunch table or potluck party. Serve it alongside fresh fruit salad or yogurt for an easy, healthy breakfast spread. Or slice it into smaller pieces and top with homemade frosting for an indulgent afternoon treat.
Overall, this amazing orange almond pound cake is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways whether alone or paired with other dishes.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
My Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake is a prefect make-ahead dessert. It can be refrigerated for up to five days or frozen for up to three months. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge or freezer.
When you’re ready to enjoy your cake, remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature before slicing and serving. If you’re in a rush, you can briefly zap individual slices in the microwave on low heat until warmed through.
If you plan on storing the cake longer than five days, I recommend double wrapping it with plastic wrap and placing it in an airtight container before freezing. This will help prevent freezer burn.
One of my favorite ways to serve this cake is with a light dusting of powdered sugar and freshly squeezed orange juice on top. The holy trinity of orange flavor is almond, orange zest, and freshly squeezed orange juice! You can even add a dollop of fresh whipped cream for extra decadence.
With its delicious flavors, moist texture, and flexible make-ahead preparation, my Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake is sure to become one of your go-to desserts.
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the best possible outcome when baking Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake, there are some tips and tricks I have learned along the way that ensure success every time.
First and foremost, ensure that all of your ingredients are at room temperature before beginning. This applies to the eggs and the butter, as it is crucial to have them at room temperature to make a properly emulsified batter. When ingredients are at room temperature, they incorporate more easily and uniformly, which results in better mixing and a smoother cake texture.
Secondly, it’s important to measure ingredients accurately, especially when dealing with gluten-free flour blends. Gluten-free flours can be tricky to work with since they often require different ratios of liquid and dry ingredients than traditional wheat flour. Using too much or too little of any specific ingredient can lead to a dense or dry cake. Therefore, it is important to be precise when measuring all of your ingredients.
Another pro tip for making a perfect orange almond pound cake is to whisk together all of the dry ingredients before mixing them into the wet ones. This will allow for even distribution of the baking soda and baking powder, ensuring they get activated during baking and help the cake rise properly.
When mixing your wet ingredients-eggs, sugar, orange zest vanilla extract, buttermilk–be sure to whisk them together thoroughly until they become light and frothy. This helps incorporate air into the batter creating small pockets of air throughout that aids in leavening it while also keeping it moist.
Lastly, be sure not to overmix or undermix the batter once you’ve combined everything. Overmixing can cause the batter to become dense while undermixing means that your cake may not rise as expected. Mix until just combined this ensures you maintain air pockets that assist with rising but also storage.
By following these tips and tricks for making an Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake recipe using gluten-free flours at home, you’ll be able to impress your family and wow your friends with the perfect tender and moist crumb every time.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake recipe is the perfect dessert for those who are looking for a gluten-free and delicious cake. With its moist texture, flavorful orange and almond taste, and easy-to-follow directions using simple ingredients, this pound cake is sure to impress everyone at your next gathering.
So whether you’re hosting a party or simply want to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe won’t disappoint. Plus, with the option to make substitutions and variations to suit your preferences, there’s no excuse not to try it out.
I highly recommend serving this cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or even an orange glaze. This will make for an impressive presentation that everyone will love! And don’t forget about the perfect pairing options; from coffee and tea to ice cream and fresh fruit.
So what are you waiting for? Give this Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake recipe a try today and enjoy the best of both worlds: a delicious dessert that’s also gluten-free!
Amazing Orange Almond Pound Cake (Gluten-Free) Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1/3-1/2 cup grated orange zest (depending on how you like your orange flavor)
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
- 2 teaspoons brown rice flour
- 3 1/2 tablespoons potato starch
- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
- 2 teaspoons tapioca starch
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (slightly less than)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup orange juice (start with less)
Syrup
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 -2 tablespoon orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a loaf pan.
- Combine buttermilk, orange juice and vanilla in a small bowl and set aside.
- Sift together flours, almond meal, xanthum gum, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set the dry ingredient mixture aside.
- In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter (beat with electric mixer about 3 minutes, until fluffy).
- Beat in eggs - one at a time - and chase it with the orange zest. Alternate adding the wet and dry ingredient mixtures to the batter, starting and ending with the flour.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let stand for at least five minutes.
- Turn the pan over on a plate or rack. While the cake cools an additional five minutes, make the orange vanilla syrup.
- In a small pot, combine sugar, orange juice, and vanilla. Heat on medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes a little thick (about three minutes). Spoon some or all of the mixture on top of the cake.
- When you're ready to serve: in a small bowl, mix 1 - 2 Tablespoons of orange juice with the powdered sugar to form a thick orange glaze. Drizzle some or all on top of the cake.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.