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.
Raven says
Omg! I had to share this with you… I cooked the cake for 2 minutes in my really good waffle maker and it cooked sooooo perfectly! Through and through, it’s amazing. And already perfectly shaped for a waffle cake I will be making for my son’s birthday! Birthdays have always been soo hard in our grain-free house. So thanks for a good recipe, and here is a tip for fast and perfectly cooked cake!!!
Vered DeLeeuw says
Sounds amazing, Raven! Happy birthday to your son. 🙂
Gwens Gram says
I happened to have the almond flour and felt like dessert...
So... JUST made this. OH WOW!! SUCH an incredibly delicious and easy to make cake! Thank you!!
Vered DeLeeuw says
Yay! You're very welcome, Gwens!
christine wellman says
Hi -
Looking for an almond flour cake recipe that I can roll for a buche de noel - any thoughts on whether this recipe would work baked thinly on a sheet pan, or might you have another suggestion?
Thanks,
Christine
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Christine,
I LOVE the idea, but I truly don't know if it would work. You'll have to try and see. I'm so sorry that I can't be more helpful.
Nikki says
The recipes sounds great. Thank you for sharing.
Will the cake be fluffier using baking powder than baking soda? will it change texture?
Is more water needed if using sweetener rather than honey to keep carbs down?
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Nikki
Baking powder or soda work equally well in this recipe - just make sure to use the correct measurement for each.
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 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 1/3 cup and checking the batter. You can watch the video to see what the batter should look like.
Gerry says
Would using parchment paper work if I dont own a non-stick baking pan? Or silicone cupcake milds? If so would Instill grease the parchment paper or silicone molds?
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Gerry,
Both should work, and yes, please grease them.
Shantal says
Can i use monkfruit sweeter?
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Shantal,
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 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 1/3 cup and checking the batter.
Alex Holets says
My wife and I thought this cake was absolutely delicious! I followed the directions completely and also added cinnamon. The only issue was I thought I had buttered the pan enough but my cake stuck to the pan. It was not a big deal after I "dug" a small piece out. Next time I will try parchment paper unless you know that is a bad idea.
Fantastic recipe! Thank you.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Yay! I'm so glad you and your wife liked this cake, Alex.
Yes, you can use a greased parchment circle to line the bottom of the pan.
Tricia says
Absolutely loved this! Unfortunately my honey wasn’t mixed in well enough as it sank to the bottom a bit during baking. It still tasted fabulous and the texture was excellent, but I wonder if maple syrup would be too strong of a flavour to substitute for honey? Or maybe I just need to mix it in more? I will definitely make this again, regardless.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Tricia,
Maple syrup should work! Glad you liked it. 🙂
Rivka Goltz says
Thank you for replying quickly.
I forgot to add that I baked in an 11cm pan, in that case your comment about the temperature still relevant?
It's going to be a perfect cake for Rosh Hashanah
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Rivka,
Yes, I think so.
Melissa says
Could you make this into cupcakes? If so what temperature and duration? Thanks!
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Melissa,
Yes! To prevent sticking, please use greased foil or parchment liners, not standard paper liners. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350°F for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one of them comes out clean.