Portuguese Almond Cake

Portuguese Orange Almond Cake

This is a delicious gluten-free recipe for Portuguese orange almond cake that is also known as Toucinho Do Céu in Portuguese. This cake is a traditional and authentic gluten-free dessert from Portugal that is sure to impress everyone. This Portuguese Almond Cake (Toucinho Do Céu) is super easy to make, and quick, made with ground almonds, unsalted butter, egg yolks, whole eggs, almond extract, orange zest, and pork lard, this recipe is packed with rich and delicious flavors.

If you haven’t tried Portuguese almond cake yet then this recipe is a must-try, especially if you love Portuguese cake, almond cake, or orange cake. It’s the perfect dessert for any type of occasion, the holiday gets together, parties, and birthdays, and is sure to become a new favorite for the whole family.

Because this cake is made using quality ingredients, such as almond flour, which makes this recipe a delicious almond dessert. The addition of orange juice and zest gives it a unique twist, making it an irresistible orange dessert. This almond cake recipe is not only delicious but also visually appealing, it’s the perfect Portuguese pastry to serve to guests or bring to a potluck for work or a friend’s house. This recipe is a traditional Portuguese recipe that has been passed down through generations, I use it in my own bakery, it’s truly a great way to experience the authentic taste of Portugal at home.

Here’s Why This Is The Best Portuguese Orange Almond Cake

  • Traditional: It’s an authentic, traditional dessert, this Portuguese almond cake recipe captures the true essence of Portuguese cuisine.
  • Unique Taste: The use of pork lard adds a unique and authentic Portuguese touch that sets this Toucinho Do Céu recipe apart from other almond cake recipes.
  • Gluten Free: This Authentic Portuguese Almond Cake recipe is gluten-free and uses unique ingredients such as ground almonds, unsalted butter, egg yolks, whole eggs, almond extract, orange zest, and pork lard which are packed with rich and delicious flavors.
  • Easy Recipe: The recipe provides metric measurements which makes it easy to follow and perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
  • Moist & Sweet: It’s the perfect Portuguese dessert recipe with ground almonds that makes a deliciously moist and sweet cake that’s perfect for special traditional occasions.

Ingredients and Substitutions For Portuguese Orange Almond Cake

  • Almond Flour: This recipe is made with Almond flour which provides the cake’s base and gives it its unique texture. If you don’t have almond flour you can use ground almonds as a substitute.
  • Unsalted butter: This adds a rich buttery flavor to the cake. If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe.
  • Water & Orange Juice: I used a combination of water and arrange juice for this recipe, If you want a more intense orange flavor, replace the water with the same amount of orange.
  • Egg yolks: The egg yolks play an important role in this orange almond cake, they help to bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cake. If you don’t have egg yolks, you can use 100 grams of whole eggs instead, which is 2 large eggs.
  • Whole eggs: These add moisture and structure to the cake. If you don’t have whole eggs, you can use 80 grams of yolks which is the equivalent of large 4 egg yolks.
  • Almond extract: This aromatic extract adds a strong almond flavor to the cake. If you don’t have almond extract, you can use Amaretto or vanilla extract as a substitute.
  • Orange zest: The orange zest adds a subtle citrus flavor to the cake. If you don’t have orange zest, you can use lemon zest or discard it from the recipe.
  • Pork lard: The magical traditional ingredient for this Portuguese almond cake, it adds a unique and authentic touch to the recipe. If you don’t have pork lard, you can use bacon grease or unsalted butter as a substitute.
  • Almond Slices: I love to decorate this Portuguese orange almond cake with slices of blanched almond, this is totally optional. Another great topping idea is just sprinkling the top of the cake with icing sugar.

Tips and Tricks for Portuguese Orange Almond Cake

  1. Use good quality ingredients: Make sure to use the best quality ground almonds, unsalted butter, eggs, and almond extract. This will ensure that your Portuguese orange almond cake has a rich and delicious flavor.
  2. Grate the orange zest finely: Use a fine grater to grate the orange zest, this will help to distribute the orange flavor evenly throughout the cake.
  3. Follow the recipe closely: This traditional Portuguese almond cake recipe has been tested and perfected by me, so make sure to follow it closely. This will ensure that your almond cake turns out as delicious as possible.
  4. Be precise with the measurement: The recipe calls for a specific weight of ingredients, to ensure the best results for this Portuguese almond cake recipe, use a kitchen scale for measuring ingredients.
  5. Don’t over-bake the cake: It is important to keep an eye on this cake as it bakes as it tends to gain color quickly, remove it from the oven as soon as it is baked. If you over-baked cake the texture of the cake will change resulting in a dry and chewy cake.
  6. Serve at room temperature: For the best eating experience served the cake at room temperature, if you are storing it in the fridge make sure to take it and let it come to room temperature before serving.

By following my tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create a delicious and authentic Portuguese almond cake that will not disappoint you or your family. Remember to also have fun in the kitchen and bake happy!

Traditional Portuguese Orange Almond Cake

Ingredients For Portuguese Orange Almond Cake

  • 250 grams almonds flour
  • 1 gram salt
  • 120 grams unsalted butter, softened
  • 30 grams pork lard, room temperature
  • 60 grams water
  • 60 grams orange juice
  • 200 grams sugar
  • 100 grams (5 egg yolks)
  • 100 grams (2 whole eggs)
  • 5 grams almond extract
  • 5 grams orange zest
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds, for topping

How To Make Portuguese Orange Almond Cake?

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C), and line the bottom of an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper, then brush the bottom and side with butter.
  2. In a large saucepan, add the water, orange juice, sugar, salt, and pork lard, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
  3. Once the mixture begins to boil, add the ground almonds and stir constantly, reduce to medium-low heat, and continue to cook until the almond mixture starts to thicken, the mixture should pull away from the bottom of the saucepan, cook for additional 3-4 minutes then remove from the heat, then add the butter and mix into the batter until well combined.
  4. In a medium-sized bowl, lightly whisk the yolks and eggs together, then pour it into the almond mixture and mix with a spatula.
  5. Add the almond extract and orange zest and stir to combine.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Tap the mold gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  7. Place the cake into the oven and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until lightly golden brown in color.
  8. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the cake pan for about 30 minutes, then turn it over onto a serving plate and add some sliced almonds to decorate.
  9. Remove the bottom parchment and slice the cake into 8 portions.
  10. Serve and Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground almonds instead almond flour?

If you don’t have almond flour on hand you can use instead ground almonds also known as almond meal. The texture of the cake may be slightly different since the ground almonds are made by grinding the whole almond including the skin. Almond flour is made by grinding blanched almonds where the skin has been removed.

Is it possible to use orange extract instead of orange zest for this Portuguese almond cake?

Absolutely Yes, you can swap the orange zest with 5 grams (1 teaspoon) of orange extract as a substitute for orange zest. However, keep in mind, using fresh orange zest will give a stronger and more authentic orange flavor to the Portuguese almond cake.

How long will this Portuguese almond cake keep fresh?

The Portuguese almond cake keeps fresh for up to 7 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze this Portuguese orange almond cake?

This recipe is freezer friendly which will allow you to freeze the Portuguese almond cake for up to 3 months. Make sure to wrap it well with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing.

Are there any alternatives to pork lard?

If you don’t have pork lard, you can use alternatives such as bacon grease or unsalted butter as a substitute. This will still add a rich and savory flavor to the cake, but will not be as authentic as using pork lard.

Check out some of my other Portuguese recipes

Portuguese Almond Cake

Portuguese Almond Cake Recipe

You will experience a true taste of Portugal with our traditional Portuguese Orange Almond Cake (Toucinho Do Céu). This gluten free recipe is a perfect blend of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean and make you feel like you’re dining in a traditional Portuguese Bakery.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert, Gluten Free
Cuisine Portuguese
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams almonds flour
  • 1 gram salt
  • 120 grams unsalted butter softened
  • 30 grams pork lard room temperature
  • 60 grams water
  • 60 grams orange juice
  • 200 grams sugar
  • 100 grams 5 egg yolks
  • 100 grams 2 whole eggs
  • 5 grams almond extract
  • 5 grams orange zest
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C), and line the bottom of an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper, then brush the bottom and side with butter.
  • In a large saucepan, add the water, orange juice, sugar, salt, and pork lard, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Once the mixture begins to boil, add the ground almonds and stir constantly, reduce to medium-low heat, and continue to cook until the almond mixture starts to thicken, the mixture should pull away from the bottom of the saucepan, cook for additional 3-4 minutes then remove from the heat, then add the butter and mix into the batter until well combined.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, lightly whisk the yolks and eggs together, then pour it into the almond mixture and mix with a spatula.
  • Add the almond extract and orange zest and stir to combine.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Tap the mold gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  • Place the cake into the oven and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until lightly golden brown in color.
  • Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the cake pan for about 30 minutes, then turn it over onto a serving plate and add some sliced almonds to decorate.
  • Remove the bottom parchment and slice the cake into 8 portions.
  • Serve and Enjoy!
Keyword Gluten Free Almond Cake Recipe, Orange Almond Cake, Portuguese Almond Cake, Portuguese Orange Almond Cake, Toucinho Do Céu, Traditional Portuguese Recipe

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