This light and fluffy almond flour cake is sweetened with honey and flavored with vanilla. It's delicious with or without frosting.

This almond flour cake has the best texture! It reminds me of a buttery sponge cake. Despite containing just half a cup of honey, it's perfectly sweet but not overly so. It's made with just seven ingredients that you probably have on hand right now and is easy to mix in a single bowl - the prep time is just 15 minutes! When served without frosting, it's perfect for breakfast or as a snack cake.
Ingredients

See the recipe card for exact measurements. Here are my comments on some of the ingredients.
- Butter: For greasing the pan. It's important to use a nonstick pan and grease it generously.
- Honey: Real honey or a sugar-free substitute. Both work equally well.
- Almond flour: I use superfine almond flour. I don't recommend using a coarse almond meal.
- Baking soda: You can replace it with 2 teaspoons of baking powder (gluten-free if needed).
Variations
- The zest of a lemon or an orange significantly elevates this cake. Add about a tablespoon, and make sure you only grate the outer peel, not the bitter white layer.
- If you like cinnamon, add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
- Sometimes, I use flavor extracts other than vanilla, such as coconut, almond, or orange. If opting for those, use just 1 teaspoon, not a full tablespoon. They are typically more potent than vanilla extract.
Instructions
The detailed instructions and step-by-step photos are included in the recipe card. Here's a quick overview.
Lightly whisk the eggs. Gradually whisk in the honey, vanilla, almond flour, salt, and baking soda. Transfer the batter to a greased 8-inch nonstick cake pan.

Bake the cake in an oven preheated to 350°F until a toothpick inserted in its center comes out clean, 22-25 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a cooling rack and cool it for 20 more minutes.

You can dust the cake with powdered sugar or a powdered sweetener before slicing and serving. Look at the cake's moist, fluffy texture! It's incredible.

Made this today, and it's perfection! I added lemon juice to have a little lemon flavor. I cut myself a little piece and sprinkled it with a powdered sweetener and a dollop of zero-sugar Cool Whip. It's amazing and my new favorite treat. - Jay
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Recipe Tips
- It's important to make sure the pan you use is truly nonstick. I replace my nonstick pans every 1-2 years. They're relatively inexpensive, and regularly replacing them saves me the heartache of dealing with ruined baked goods.
- If you wish to frost the cake, cool it completely before frosting it.
- The cake improves after being stored overnight. Its texture becomes moister.
- The cake's crumb will be noticeably darker if you use real honey as opposed to sugar-free syrup. The photos on this page show a cake I made with a honey substitute. The photo below shows a cake I made in 2017 with real honey. Both versions are delicious, but the real honey produces a darker crumb. This version also sank slightly in the middle, likely because my oven back then ran a bit too hot.

Recipe FAQs
I tested this recipe with real honey and sugar-free honey. I did not test it with a granulated sweetener. If you'd like to use a granulated sweetener, you'll need to add liquid to the cake (such as whole milk, heavy cream, or canned coconut milk). I suggest starting with ⅓ cup and checking the batter.
Yes. Theoretically, you would need to increase the ingredients by about a third. However, one of my readers made this cake in a 9-inch pan and reported back, saying, "I made it in a 9-inch pan instead of an 8-inch, and it was still perfect. Just take it out after 19 minutes."
A round 8-inch pan holds 6 cups of batter, while a standard 9 × 5-inch loaf pan holds 8 cups, so you would need to increase the measurements by about a third. The baking time will be longer, since a loaf pan is deeper. I would reduce the heat to 325°F and add 10 minutes. However, start checking with a toothpick after 25 minutes.
Yes. I keep unfrosted leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to five days. I briefly warm them in the microwave (10 seconds per slice) before enjoying them. You can also freeze slices of this cake for up to three months.
Serving Suggestions
I don't usually frost this cake. I like simple, unfrosted cakes that can be served as breakfast or snack cakes. But if you'd like to top it, here are a few ideas for you:
- Cream cheese frosting.
- Chocolate whipped cream.
- Dust it with a powdered sweetener.
- Whipped cream and berries - add those right before serving the cake.
- Blueberry compote or strawberry compote - add right before serving to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
- The chocolate frosting I use in this chocolate cake is excellent.
Recipe Card
Fluffy Almond Flour Cake
Video
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon butter - for pan
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup honey - real or sugar-free, or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups superfine almond flour - 6 ounces
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda - or 2 teaspoons of baking powder, gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously grease an 8-inch nonstick cake pan with soft butter.
- In a large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Gradually whisk in the honey, vanilla, almond flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Don't over-mix the batter. An overworked batter can cause the middle of the cake to collapse as it cools.
- Use a spatula to transfer the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake until fragrant and set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22-25 minutes.
- Cool the cake in the pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto the cooling rack and cool for 20 more minutes.
- If you wish, dust the cake with a powdered sweetener, then slice and serve.
Notes
- This sugar-free honey worked well when I tried it. If using it, a slice has about 199 calories, 6 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fiber.
- I use Bob's Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour. One cup of this flour weighs 4 oz, so 1.5 cups weigh 6 ounces. It's best to measure almond flour by weight rather than by volume.
- Occasionally, baking soda can cause a reaction in baked goods that results in an ammonia smell. If you're concerned about it happening, use 2 teaspoons of baking powder (gluten-free if needed) instead of baking soda.
- If you'd like to frost the cake, cool it completely before frosting.
- The cake's texture improves after being stored overnight.
- Keep unfrosted leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Briefly warm them in the microwave (10 seconds per slice) before enjoying them. You can also freeze slices of this cake for up to three months.
Nutrition per Serving
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Disclaimers
Most recipes are low-carb and gluten-free, but some are not. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Please read these Terms of Use before using any of my recipes.
Rivka says
The cake looks beautiful and tasty.
It came out of the oven a bit burnt on top and soft and inedible in the centre. But we ate the sides with pleasure :).
What did I do wrong?
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Rivka,
It sounds like your oven runs hot. Next time, try an oven temperature of 325°F and bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in its center comes out dry, likely 30 minutes, but you'll need to check with a toothpick.
Check the cake after the first 20 minutes, and if it's darkening too much on top, loosely cover it with foil and keep baking until the center is fully baked.
I hope this helps!
Kaye Rowe says
Love it! It's great when recipes work out and so far yours are working for me. This was a lovely moist and fluffy cake. Thank You
Vered DeLeeuw says
You're very welcome, Kaye! I'm so glad you find my recipes useful.
Nadia says
Very very very easy to make! One bowl type of recipe. And extremely delicious!!! I did substitute maple syrup for the honey - personal preference only. This is my new go-to favorite almond flour cake recipe. I foresee myself making this for a long time to come!!! ♥️
Vered DeLeeuw says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this cake, Nadia!
Isabella says
This is soooo good considering it's an almond flour cake!
Vered DeLeeuw says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this cake, Isabella!
priya says
I made this recepi with tricle instead honey. It was really delicious and really soft and moist . Love it.
Vered DeLeeuw says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this cake, priya!
Ronnie says
Thank you! I love this recipe and it’s not only low carb, but delicious, as well! I often add berries, or apples to it, and every time it turns out perfectly!
Vered DeLeeuw says
I'm so glad you like this cake, Ronnie! Thank you for taking the time to review it.
B says
Could I use coconut sugar instead of honey? and if so, how much of it should I add?
Vered DeLeeuw says
I tested this recipe with real honey and with sugar-free honey. I did not test it with a granulated sweetener. If you'd like to experiment with coconut sugar, I suggest using 3/4 cup and running it through the food processor to achieve a finer texture.
You'll need to add liquid to the batter (such as whole milk, heavy cream, or canned coconut milk). I suggest starting with 1/3 cup and checking the batter. Keep in mind that coconut sugar can have a drying effect on baked goods.
Kathy says
could this recipe be made with some kind of egg substitute?
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Kathy,
I only tested this recipe with eggs.
Marcie Medof says
Thank you for the recipe. 2 Questions:
1). My cake pans are great and I don’t have room for more. Is there any way to adapt this recipe for regular, rather than non-stick? I would usually grease the pan & bottom, then use a parchment circle on the base & grease it. Suggestions?
2). Can the cake be baked ahead, wrapped in plastic wrap, foil and frozen?
Anxiously awaiting your reply! Thanks, in advance!!!
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Marcie,
1. I only tested this recipe in a nonstick pan. Almond flour baked goods are notorious for sticking to pans. However, your plan may be worth a try. It's best to grease the pan with a generous amount of soft butter.
2. Yes, absolutely. This cake freezes well.
Roses66 says
Marcie Medof, When I use regular pans I cut a round, square, or rectangle of parchment paper and place it inside the pan on the bottom. The sides you can just run a knife around after the cake cools.
Winnie Hernandez says
This is a great recipe. the cake is not too sweet, it's light but sturdy. I bake it in a loaf pan and add pecans and cranberries on top before baking. I eat it for breakfast.
Vered DeLeeuw says
I'm so glad you like this cake, Winnie! Thank you for the detailed review. I love the idea of adding pecans and cranberries!
Barb G. says
Wonderful cake! I used both orange and lemon zest in the cake and made a low sugar cream cheese icing with zest and vanilla flavoring and the cake was so yummy! Thanks for the recipe
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Barb,
I'm so glad you enjoyed this cake! Your icing sounds amazing.