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.
Nancy Cooke says
I made this cake as the recipe and was delighted that it turned out well. It was light, fluffy and delicious. I can’t wait to try it again. We really enjoyed it. Now I have it in my in box I can make it again. Thank you.
Vered DeLeeuw says
You're very welcome, Nancy!
Denise Kutney says
almost like an angel food cake in lightness, not too sweet, very easy to make
Vered DeLeeuw says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this cake, Denise! Thanks for the review.
Jay says
Made this today and it's perfection!!! I added some lemon juice to have a little lemon flavor. I cut me a little piece and sprinkled with a powdered sweetener and a dollop of zero sugar cool whip. It's amazing and my new favorite treat Oh and I also used maple syrup instead of honey. It's so good
Vered DeLeeuw says
Yay! Glad you liked it, Jay. Thanks for sharing your delicious tweaks.
Heather Sweet says
Delicious flavor. I did use baking powder instead of baking soda. I also added a tiny splash of almond extract to amplify the almond flavor. Delicious taste, however, the middle of my cake did collapse a bit/not fully baked. I may try 325 degree oven next time for 7-8 additional mins. Excited to try different variations of this cake...next time lemon zest! Yum.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Heather,
I'm glad you enjoyed this cake!
Almond flour baked goods tend to sink slightly in the middle because they don't contain gluten, which gives baked goods structure. However, any sinking should be minimal.
When a gluten-free cake sinks significantly, it's usually due to over-whipping the eggs. This incorporates extra air into the batter, causing the cake to rise too much in the oven and sink as it cools.
Another possibility is that your oven runs a bit too hot, causing the cake to cook more quickly on the outside and leaving the center slightly undercooked, causing it to sink as it cools. The solution would be - as you suggested - to bake the cake at 325°F for around 30 minutes. Check the center of the cake with a toothpick to ensure it's completely dry.
Karen B. says
Hi Vered,
I just made this delicious cake! Thank you for the recipe! I added orange zest, some cinnamon, and a dusting of brown sugar. Yummy! Thanks again 🙂
Vered DeLeeuw says
You're very welcome, Karen! Thank you for sharing your delicious tweaks.
JoAn says
I want to make pink cupcakes for Valentine's day. I have some plant based red food coloring. Do you think this cake will turn pink or is it too yellow colored to work? Also will it work okay as cupcakes? Thank you.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi JoAn,
It should work as cupcakes if you use greased foil or parchment liners (it sticks to standard paper ones). I'm honestly not sure about the food coloring.
Karen says
Hi. Cake looks delicious. Would it be okay to substitute maple syrup for the honey?
Thanks
Karen
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Karen,
Maple syrup should work.
Sharon R. says
I just made this! Easy to put together and delicious!!!! Thank you!
Vered DeLeeuw says
You're very welcome, Sharon! Glad you liked it.
Anne says
I made a cranberry upside down cake using this recipe. It was a big hit at Christmas brunch! I have made a similar almond flour cake, but it involved beating the egg yolks, then beating the egg whites separately and folding them in. It also used sugar instead of honey. I like the simplicity of this recipe and preferred using honey. It is definitely a keeper for me!
I was worried at first because the batter didn't cover all the cranberries; they kept popping up. BUT the contrast of the tangy cranberries at the top and the carmelized cranberries at the bottom was lovely - everyone loved it, and came back for more. I had to bake the cake much longer, of course, because of the cranberry addition. I will make this again, with or without the cranberries.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Sounds lovely, Anne!
Delia says
Does this recipe work for making fairy cakes?
Vered DeLeeuw says
Hi Delia,
I assume you mean cupcakes? Yes. It's best to use well-greased foil or parchment liners to prevent sticking, not standard paper liners. Bake for 15-17 minutes and check with a toothpick.