Hey there, baking friends! Welcome back to my cozy little corner of the internet, where we whip up all things delicious and delightful. Today, I want to share a truly special recipe that captures the essence of simple pleasures and vibrant flavors, a Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake. If you’re looking for a treat that feels fresh, light, and just a bit fancy, you’re in for a treat! This cake boasts the bright notes of orange and the nutty crunch of pistachios, all without any flour. It’s gluten-free and oh-so-moist, promising to tantalize your tastebuds and warm your heart.
Why Make This Recipe
Now, you might be wondering why you should make this cake. First and foremost, it’s beautifully unique! Many cakes are made with a standard flour base, but this one takes a delightful twist with almond flour and whole, blended oranges. It creates a texture you won’t find in just any cake. Plus, this recipe is perfect for those who are gluten-free or are just looking to reduce their gluten intake. It’s a cake that says, “I care about good ingredients and tasty treats!”
Another reason? It’s incredibly simple. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll feel like a pro baker in no time. And did I mention the incredible aroma wafting through your kitchen as this beauty bakes? The scent of oranges mingling with honey is enough to make anyone feel right at home. Plus, it’s the kind of cake you can serve for any occasion, be it a cozy dinner with friends, a birthday celebration, or just because you deserve a little sweet indulgence today.
How to Make Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake
Let’s dive right into how we can create this stunning cake that’s sure to impress everyone around you.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 whole oranges
- ⅔ cup honey
- 3 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup ground pistachios
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey (for the glaze)
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
Directions:
Okay, here comes the fun part! Let’s break down the steps:
Prepare the Oranges: Start by giving those oranges a good rinse under running water. Once clean, toss them in a pot and add just enough water to cover them. Let them gently simmer for a full hour. This step might seem unusual, but it softens the oranges, making them easier to blend and extracting that lovely citrus flavor.
Blend the Oranges: After the hour is up, drain the water and pop those simmered oranges into your blender. Blend them until the texture is luxuriously smooth and velvety.
Preheat the Oven: While you’re blending, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Also, lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan, this is crucial so that our cake doesn’t stick!
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blended oranges, honey, eggs, almond flour, ground pistachios, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Mix everything until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.
Bake the Cake: Pour the cake mixture into your greased pan and pop it into the oven for approximately one hour. Keep an eye on it; you want the top to brown beautifully without burning. If you notice it browning too fast, loosely cover it with foil. It’s done when a toothpick comes out clean!
Make the Glaze: While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze. In a small pot, combine honey and fresh orange juice. Heat it up until it boils and then lower the heat to simmer until the mixture reduces to half its original amount, let it cool afterward.
Finish the Cake: Once the cake is out of the oven and has cooled slightly, it’s time to glaze! Use a brush to apply the lovely honey-orange glaze over the top. Let it cool completely before removing it from the pan, and voilà! You have a stunning Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake ready for serving.
How to Serve Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake
This cake stands beautifully on its own, but if you want to turn up the charm, you could serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Fresh fruit or a sprinkle of extra ground pistachios can also add a lovely finishing touch. Presentation matters, so feel free to garnish with some fresh orange slices or a dusting of powdered sugar for that extra flair!
How to Store Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake
Storing this cake is easy-peasy! Once cooled completely, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store it in the refrigerator. It should keep well for about 3 to 5 days, though it might not last that long, it’s just too good not to eat! You can also freeze the cake if you want to keep it longer. Just slice it up first, wrap the individual pieces tightly, and pop them into the freezer. When you crave a treat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Tips to Make Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake
- Choose Fresh Oranges: The quality of your oranges will really shine through, so opt for fresh, juicy ones for the best flavor. Organic oranges are even better since you’ll be using the whole fruit!
- Mix Well: Make sure to mix the ingredients well to prevent clumping, especially with the almond flour and baking soda.
- Check for Doneness: Ovens can vary, so start checking your cake for doneness a bit earlier.
Variation
If you want to add a little twist to your cake, consider substituting half of the almond flour with another nut flour, such as hazelnut or cashew flour. Feel free to use different nuts for the glaze, too, walnuts or almonds might lend a new flavor profile while still complementing the orange beautifully.
FAQs
1. Can I use regular flour instead of almond flour?
While using regular flour would change the nature of the cake and make it no longer gluten-free, if you don’t mind the gluten, you can experiment with regular all-purpose flour. But I truly recommend sticking to almond flour for the best texture!
2. Is this cake suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake is vegetarian-friendly since it contains no meat or fish, perfect for your veggie-loving friends!
3. Can I make it vegan?
To tweak this recipe for a vegan diet, try replacing the eggs with a flaxseed meal substitute (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water equals one egg). You may also need to find a vegan honey substitute.
So there you have it! A delightful recipe that is bound to make you feel like a baking champ. Get those oranges simmering, and let’s make something wonderful together. Enjoy every slice!
Print
Flourless Orange Pistachio Cake
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A gluten-free cake with bright orange flavors and the nutty crunch of pistachios, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 whole oranges
- ⅔ cup honey
- 3 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup ground pistachios
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey (for the glaze)
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Oranges: Rinse oranges and simmer them in water for one hour.
- Blend the Oranges: Drain and blend the simmered oranges until smooth.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine blended oranges, honey, eggs, almond flour, ground pistachios, baking soda, and vanilla extract in a bowl and mix until smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for about one hour until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make the Glaze: Combine honey and fresh orange juice in a pot, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer until halved, then cool.
- Finish the Cake: Glaze the cooled cake with the honey-orange mixture before serving.
Notes
Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or garnish with fresh orange slices or powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg