A gluten-free, light and airy lemon cake make with almond flour, eggs, and sugar, this classic cake is from southern Spain.
The original recipe is from Elsie Bauer on the Simply Recipes site.
4 eggs (large), separated into 4 egg yolks and 4 egg whites, room temperature
2 Tbsp lemon zest, packed
1/2 cup (100 g) white sugar, divided 1/4 cup (50 g) and 1/4 cup (50 g)
1 1/2 cup lightly scooped (144 g) finely ground blanched almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon white or cider vinegar
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar for sprinkling
8-9 inch springform pan
2 x large mixing bowls
Electric mixer with large bowl
Preheat the oven to 175 °C.
Place a round of parchment paper on the bottom of the springform pan, and grease it and the sides of the pan with butter or cooking spray.
n a large bowl, beat together with a wooden spoon the egg yolks, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, ground cardamom, and baking powder.
Add the flour mixture to the egg yolk mixture and beat until well combined. The mixture should resemble a thick paste.
With an electric mixer with a very clean bowl and clean whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, starting on low speed and gradually increasing the speed. When bubbles start to form, add a pinch of salt and the teaspoon of vinegar. As the egg whites begin to increase in volume, sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, a little at a time, as you continue to beat the egg whites. Beat until soft peaks form.
Stir a third to a half of the beaten egg whites into the almond mixture to loosen it and make it lighter. Then gently fold the remaining whipped egg whites into the batter, a large scoopful at a time.
Gently scoop the batter into the prepared springform pan and place in the oven. Bake at 175 °C for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool.
Run a sharp knife around the edge of the cake helping it to separate from the side of the pan. Release the springform pan sides, and gently move the cake (on parchment) to a cake serving plate.
Sprinkle with a little powdered sugar before serving.
Baking, gluten free, almond
Elise advises that this "cake behaves a bit like a soufflé in that it gets most of its rise from the eggs in the batter, and then gently falls as it settles. I've included a bit of baking powder to help the cake maintain a bit more structure as it cools."