Vegan Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake
This moist Vegan Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake tastes amazing, topped with non-dairy cream cheese frosting with orange and almond flavors.
Nine days ago I made my Blueberry Pineapple Bread and last in February I shared my No-Bake Strawberry Ice Cream Tart.
I really thought that I wouldn’t make any dessert recipes anytime soon but here I am with this moist and delicious flourless orange almond cake.
So today my family and I went for a walk and while putting on my shoes in my garage I saw a basket full of about 2 dozen fresh Florida juicy oranges that my hubby had neatly stocked.
The bright idea came to me to use the oranges before they would spoil and make a healthy orange almond cake. You see last week the weather was in the ’60s during the daytime but today it was in the 80’s so I knew if this kind of weather lasted the oranges will spoil.
Although we have 2 refrigerators they were fully packed so my only choice was to juice them.
I decided to use some of the juice to make this delicious Vegan Flourless Orange Almond Cake, I added almond flour and almond flavoring to the frosting so calling it Almond Orange Cake was very fitting.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE DETAILED RECIPE, BUT I SUGGEST YOU DON’T SKIP READING THE INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE BLURB.
Why You’re Going To Love This Vegan Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake?
If you’re looking for a vegan and gluten-free cake that everyone will like, even if they don’t avoid gluten, try this orange almond cake. I guarantee you’ll start to love it more and more! Because
- This gluten-free vegan orange cake is vegan and gluten-free.
- It is fluffy, moist, flavorful, refreshing, and comforting.
- It is quite light, yet super satisfying.
- This tasty treat is sure to please your palate.
- This delectable dessert-style cake requires only a few simple ingredients.
- A popular item in restaurants and cafés that appears to be highly elaborate but is actually relatively simple to prepare.
- Your whole family will love this, so have the kids pitch in and help you make it!
After a gathering or dinner, this dessert is frequently the first item people ask me about, and it is always a hit.
What You’ll Require To Make Orange Almond Cake?
- Gluten-free flour: I love to use Bob’s Red Mills Almond Flour and this time I used Pillsbury Gluten-Free Flour.
- Almond Flour: This flour is usually used as a binding agent in savory recipes. You can use store-bought or make your own Almond Flour.
- Sugar: Pure organic cane is used in cake batter while organic powder sugar ((I made my own) is used in the frosting. However, any liquid sweetener such as maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or agave syrup can also be used.
- Baking powder: It is a wonderful ingredient that increases puffiness and lightens the texture of baked foods.
- Salt: This cake flavor will be enhanced by adding a small amount of salt to the batter. It won’t make your cake salty, so don’t worry.
- Orange juice: For the greatest orange cake, you must use fresh orange juice. This recipe will require 2 large oranges to get one cup of fresh juice.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil nicely binds all the ingredients. It also adds moisture and a buttery flavor to the cake. This recipe can be made with any type of oil (olive or vegetable) or vegan butter.
- Ground Flax Seeds: Flaxseed act as an egg replacer, helping to keep the cake together.
- Vanilla: Used in both the cake and cream cheese frosting to infuse the flavors with warmth.
- Orange zest: A little fresh-grated orange zest goes a long way in terms of flavor. The same amount of lemon zest can be used instead.
- Vegan cream cheese: It is used for making frosting. You can use any brand such as Daiya/Tofutti/GoVeggie.
- Vegan Butter: I used Earth Balance Buttery Spread. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter can be used alternatively.
- Orange Juice: The frosting is brightened by the addition of orange juice.
- Almond extract: Like vanilla extract, it is most often used in baking, and just a small amount of it goes a long way. Many people who enjoy the pleasantly nutty flavor of almonds dislike the flavor of almond extract.
How To Make Vegan Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake?
As stated above, this Orange Almond Cake (Vegan, Gluten-Free) turned out to be moist and fluffy and it is very easy to prepare. There are a few basic pointers that you should keep in mind while preparing this cake. So follow each step carefully to get the best results.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round springform pan and line the base with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine gluten-free flour, almond flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix orange juice, coconut oil, ground flaxseeds, vanilla, and orange zest.
- Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until fully combined. Spoon mixture into baking pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out smooth.
- Remove the cake from the oven, and allow it to cool completely before spreading the frosting.
- For The Frosting, whip cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add orange juice, vanilla, and almond extract, gradually add sugar, and whip until fully incorporated.
Serving Suggestions
You may reheat this vegan, gluten-free orange almond cake for a delectable dessert or serve it at room temperature.
Serve alongside:
- A serving of ice cream
- A cream dollop;
- A custard drizzle;
- Or for added luxury, a sprinkle of berry coulis!
How To Store Vegan Orange Cake?
Store-covered cake with frosting for a couple of days at room temperature. If you are not adding the frosting then you want to store it in a container with a tight-fitting lid or wrap it securely in cling film to prevent it from drying out.
Personally, I don’t like my cake in the refrigerator, I find it dries out so if your cake lasts more than 2 days and you have to refrigerate, remove the cake and let it sit for at least 2 hours to get to room temperature.
You can also store it in a jumbo ziplock bag.
Substitutions You Can Make
- Any kind of oil can be used, including vegetable, avocado, and olive oils.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice or canned orange juice are both acceptable.
- Orange extract can be used in place of the orange zest.
- If you use milk, any plant-based milk is acceptable, including almond, rice, soy, cashew, oat, and many more.
- You can use any kind of liquid sweetener, including brown rice syrup, agave syrup, and maple syrup.
- Walnut meal can be used in place of ground almond flour.
- If you prefer a version without nuts, you can either use 30g (¼ cup) coconut flour in place of the 150g (1 1/4 cups) powdered almonds or use ground sunflower seeds.
- In place of gluten-free flour, you use plain flour, spelt flour, or oat flour if you are not gluten-free.
Expert Tips
- A great time-saving tip is to make the orange juice ahead of time and store it in the freezer or refrigerator until needed.
- Instead of using milk, I used orange juice and orange zest in my standard sponge cake recipe. This intensifies the orange scent while also bringing out the natural sweetness and tart nectar-like flavor of the fruit.
- Use orange juice straight from the carton or juice that has just been freshly squeezed.
- More orange zest can be added to the cake batter if you desire a stronger orange flavor in the sponge.
- Use a springform pan; for this recipe, I suggest using one that has been lined and greased. This makes it simple to remove the dense cake from the oven after baking and preserve the top. However, if you do not have a springform pan, you can use a cake pan that has been thoroughly greased and lined (with baking paper lining the base and sides) and remove the cake carefully once it has cooled.
- This orange almond cake could be stored for up to 4 days at room temperature in an airtight container. Do not store the cake in the refrigerator, as it will get dry.
- Freezing – may be frozen for up to two months. Before eating, let defrost at room temperature.
Other Amazing Vegan Desserts To Try
- Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake
- Jamaican Fruit Cake
- Vegan Pound Cake
- Apple Pie Crumb Topping
- Vegan Tiramisu
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orange Juice Healthy?
It is! A cup of 100% orange juice is a great source of immune-boosting vitamin C.
It’s a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and hesperidin, a flavonoid that may improve brain function by lowering inflammation and keeping blood pumping to the brain’s inner parts.
Is Gluten-Free Cakes Moist?
Yes, a lot of almond flour is used in gluten-free cakes like this one, which keeps it incredibly moist and soft.
Is Gluten-Free Cakes Healthy?
Numerous health problems are presumably brought on by gluten. So cutting back on gluten is definitely a good idea.
Do Gluten-Free Cakes Taste Different?
If done right, no, and I’m not just stating that! A gluten-free cake can be as soft, flavorful, moist, and delectable as a traditional cake. Because of the care taken in selecting each component, the recipe must be followed exactly as specified.
How Healthy Is Almond Flour?
Almond flour is low in carbs yet high in fiber and healthy fats. Almond flour contains beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Almond flour contains monounsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels. Reducing cholesterol substantially reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Almond flour, which is essentially powdered almonds strong in magnesium, can help lower blood pressure and regulate blood sugar. These qualities have a low GI, which indicates that they slowly release sugar into your blood to produce energy.
Prebiotic dietary fiber is abundant in almond flour. These fibers are digested by bacteria in the small intestine. Prebiotic dietary fiber provides a healthier and more efficient digestive tract.
Almond flour is high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that has been demonstrated to benefit the brain. Getting sufficient vitamin E lowers your chances of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive diseases. It also aids in the prevention of serious illnesses like cancer, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.
It is ideal for those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Also, almond flour is a good choice for people who like to stay fit and satisfied on the keto diet by getting the everyday flour substitute because it only has 3 g of net carbohydrates.
What Are The Best Types Of Oranges To Use In A Vegan Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake?
If at all possible, choose fresh, juicy, and vibrantly colored navel oranges.
Can I Frost This Cake With A Different Frosting?
Utterly! Try my Vegan Buttercream Frosting or Coconut Frosting if you desire a frosting that is richer and more hearty.
What Causes A Cake To Be Too Moist?
A cake that has too much liquid in it might become too moist. For the right amount of moisture, make sure to add the right amount of orange juice and oil as directed in this recipe.
Unfortunately, My Cake Did Not Rise At All. What Might Be The Reason?
There are several possible reasons why your cake did not rise. Possibly the batter was combined excessively or inadequately. Additionally, the cake won’t rise if you use expired baking soda or powder.
That’s all for today!
Take some time to sit, dine, and enjoy life with one another. Make this vegan gluten-free orange almond cake, and let me know about your experience by leaving a comment on this post! … Have Fun Baking!
If you enjoyed this post about Vegan Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!
Get discounted copies of my cookbook here.
Fortunately, because of the ads on our website, readers and subscribers of Healthier Steps are sponsoring many underprivileged families.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Healthier Steps.
Vegan Gluten-Free Orange Almond Cake
Ingredients
For The Cake
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour
- 1 1/4 cups almond flour
- 3/4 cup pure cane sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds (golden)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 medium orange zest
For The Frosting
- 8 ounces vegan cream cheese (Daiya/Tofutti/GoVeggie)
- 1/4 cup Vegan Butter (Earth Balance non-dairy spread)
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar (I made my own)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
For The Cake
- Preheat oven 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round springform pan and line the base with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine gluten-free flour, almond flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix orange juice, coconut oil, ground flaxseeds, vanilla, and orange zest.
- Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until fully combined. Spoon mixture into baking pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out smooth.
- Remove cake from the oven, allow to cool completely before spreading the frosting.
For The Frosting
- Whip cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add orange juice, vanilla, and almond extract, gradually add sugar and whip until fully incorporated
Great receipes
Thank you Priya.
I don’t have almond flour or almonds. I’m going to try with all gluten free flour, wish me luck! I’ve been craving orange cake! :)
Have you done this recipe without the almond flour?
Yogi, I haven’t tried it without almond flour, I hope it works for you without the almond flour.
I made this last night. WOW! delicious. Loved it. I substituted almond extract for vanilla. Olive oil for coconut oil. I didn’t have orange juice but I had enough oranges to produce a cup of juice and I used the orange zest.
I didn’t have cream cheese so I made a simple vegan icing. I also used swerve instead of sugar. It is sooooo rich. Thank you!
Stephanie, I’m so happy it turned out great even with your substitutes. Thank you so much for your feedback.
Hi, we made this as a top tier of a wedding cake for a bride who is not vegan but cannot eat gluten or dairy. My partner was a bit meh but he is disinclined toward anything slightly unconventional. I loved it and will make it again. I used a purchased vegan buttercream to which I added lemon zest and I added a lemon sugar syrup to the cake before filling and icing. It was baked in two 5 inch tins. I should add that my partner tasted the cake straight from the tin.
Wow that’s great to know Susan, I love how you adjusted it and made it your own. Yes! I would have added the lemon sugar syrup to my cakes, make them super moist and flavorful. I would have loved to see the final cake. Thank you for your feedback Susan, I appreciate it!
thanks for share dear Michelle
my friend yeyu made this cake for our Chinese New Year dinner we loves it
Carole, Happy New Year! I’m so happy you loved it. Thank you for your feedback.
My husband can’t have coconut in any form. What could I substitute for the coconut oil?
Debi, you can substitute with grapeseed oil
could I use stevia or like instead of sugar?
Libby sounds like a great idea, I haven’t tried it though, let me know if it works for you.
Has anyone tried making this cake using all almond flour? If so, how did it turn out? I am unable to use regular flours or gluten free flour blends due to allergies. Thanks for any feedback.
If you are using all almond flour, I would suggest adding potato starch and or arrowroot starch. I haven’t tested it as yet but I just catered for an event and where there were attendees with multiple allergies so I will be sharing recipes in the near future.
How much cornstarch or arrowroot (is it the same for either one) PER cup of almond meal flour? Thanks.
Carola, I can’t see where I used cornstarch or arrowroot in this recipe. If they aren’t in the ingredient list then they aren’t needed. Just follow the recipe as written and it will turn out perfect. I will have to read the entire post as soon as I have a chance to.
Thanks for sharing! My best friend aunt is vegan and we always make cake and forgot to accommodate for her. This was absolutely amazing and she loved it, plus I snuck a bite and it was actually delicious for being vegan !!
What a wonderful cake! It looks amazing, and I love the orange & almond combo! Very nice for a special occasion (or the weekend)!