Camilla Jessen
This light, nutty almond cake is just the thing—simple to make, rich in flavor, and perfect for spring days that need a little sunshine.
Others are reading now
When your feet can’t wander far but your heart still longs for the warmth of the Mediterranean, few things do the trick quite like this traditional Spanish almond cake from Freundin.
Known as Tarta de Santiago in its homeland, the recipe is simple, flourless, and bursting with nutty sweetness—ideal for chilly spring afternoons or an indulgent weekend bake.
Made with just a handful of ingredients, it brings joy to your kitchen with minimal effort.
And best of all? It’s naturally gluten-free.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- 250 g ground almonds
- 6 eggs
- 250 g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Step-by-Step to a Spanish Classic
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (top/bottom heat). Prepare a springform pan (about 24 cm) by greasing it or lining it with baking paper.
- Separate the eggs. In a tall bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
- Make the base mixture. In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the icing sugar, vanilla sugar, and cinnamon for 3–4 minutes on high speed until pale and frothy.
- Add almonds and zest. Stir in the ground almonds and lemon zest to the yolk mixture.
- Fold in the egg whites. Gently incorporate the beaten egg whites into the almond mixture using a whisk, taking care not to deflate the batter.
- Bake it. Pour the batter into the pan, smooth the top, and bake in the lower third of the oven for around 45 minutes.
- Cool and serve. Let the cake cool completely before dusting with icing sugar. For a little extra flair, sprinkle with almond flakes or slivers.
Soft on the inside, lightly crisp on top, and rich with almond flavor, it’s an easy way to bring a touch of Spain to your table.
Whether you enjoy it with coffee, as a light dessert, or simply because it’s a Tuesday that needs something special, this cake might just be your new favorite getaway in a bite.