French Almond Cake (Amandier)
If you’re searching for an easy French dessert that feels elegant but requires no pastry chef skills, the French Almond Cake (Amandier) is a must-bake. This moist almond flour cake is naturally gluten-free, deeply nutty, and delicately flavored with orange zest. It’s a classic French cake recipe to impress guests, or a simple treat to enjoy with coffee or tea on your own. What is an Amandier (French Almond Cake)? The word Amandier means “almond tree” in French, and this classic french cake celebrates the nut in all its glory.…
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 45 min
- Yield
- 8 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3/4 cup (150g) sugar
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups (250g) almond flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 5 1/2 tbsp (80g) butter, unsalted, melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup (60g) crème fraiche (or greek yogurt, skyr or quark)
- 1 tsp (5ml) almond extract
- 1 oz. (30g) sliced almonds
- 1 tbsp icing sugar, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Pre-heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) with a rack in the middle. Line the bottom of an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter.
- 2
In a small bowl, combine the sugar with the orange zest and rub with your fingers so the zest releases moisture and the sugar is moist and lumpy.
- 3
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and orange sugar until foamy. Stir in the almond flour and salt. Finally, stir in the melted butter, crème fraiche and almond extract. Stop mixing when just incorporated.
- 4
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over top.
- 5
Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer onto a cooling rack and let cook at least 15 minutes before unmoulding.
- 6
When the cake is completely cool, dust with icing sugar for serving.