I’ve long wanted to make to make a lemon and almond flour cake like this. When a friend posted a link to a recipe for just such a delight on her Facebook page, I was all over it like white on rice. The recipe is called Nonna’s Limoncello and Ricotta Almond Cake, and is gluten-free. I drew up a shopping list on my To-Do app, and I was off to the races!
My first hurdle was not being able to source a spring-form pan at the Superstore. I was so convinced I’d be able to find one there – I even had it in my mind that I had seen said pan there – yet there were none to be found. So I had to come up with a work-around and decided I would use my recently purchased silicone cake pan, instead. Which worked perfectly well, even though it was a bit of a process getting the cake transferred from the pan to a pretty plate.
I excitedly put the kettle on. I poured myself a delicious cup of English Breakfast, and remembered to take another photo before digging into my Instagram-worthy beauty of a cake.
And then, this happened.
I know exactly what I did wrong (well, I’m pretty sure I know) so that my cake would not hold together. It was thoroughly baked. I even added an extra 10 minutes of baking time (because my oven be that way) and when I took it from the oven it was already starting to pull away from the edges of the pan.
What I did was this: add extra liquid to the batter in the form of lemon juice. The recipe called for limoncello and lemon zest only. But I had read some of the comments – where at least one person remarked that it wasn’t lemony enough – and I was going to make damned sure this cake was lemoned up for the gods! So not only did I zest that lemon…I extracted its juice and threw it in the mixing bowl along with everything else.
Next version of this cake will still have the additional lemon juice added in – you can count on that. But I may omit the limoncello. Or add a bit of gluten-free flour, to balance the additional liquid.
There is definitely going to be another version of this cake. It will probably become a go-to recipe as it ticks all the boxes for a delicious dessert IMHO, and especially because it reminds me of my favourite Dutch almond filling for baked goods.
Thank you for joining me in this month’s Virtual Tea Party – hosted by Del and Su. It turned out to be a most delicious fail, and a fun one at that.
Rock on,
The WB
OMG – that cake looks delicious. The last photo also looks incredibly mouthwatering — the crumbliness simply adds to the appeal. Be forewarned: I am definitely inviting myself over for a taste of this cake the next time that you make it! ๐
Itโs a date, Donna ๐Thanks ๐
OMG, that sounds so good! I love anything with lemons in it. Did you make your own limoncello? I have both a springform pan and lemons growing on our tree so it’s practically made already!
Thanks for sharing the recipe and your experience baking it. I’m with Donna… let me know that next time you make it. No silly border could keep me away.
Alas, I do not have a lemon tree either so I purchased a bottle of limoncello. When you come for cake Janis, please bring a bottle of your homemade stuff so we can do a proper side-by side comparison! ๐ Thanks ๐
Add more lemon zest. It will lemon it up without the extra liquid. I’m going to have to give this one a go.Looks yummy. But I will substitute straight lemon juice for the limoncello ๐ Actually, it will be lime for me ’cause that’s what our tree is. But the fruit is so yummy and juicy.
Thanks for sharing the link to the recipe, Deb. And don’t worry about the crumbly, the taste is all that matters!
Thanks, AJ ๐ I may try that – the extra zest. I think it would be good with orange as well.
It seemed to come pretty good Deb. I bet it was good.
Leslie xoxo
It was so good I had to send most of it away with my daughter, for my own protection! ๐Thanks, Leslie ๐
Yum!
If you lived a little closer, Deb, I would have let you borrow one of my spring-form pans. The cake still looks scrumptious! I am a big fan of lemon and I would have done the same as you. Delicious and fun is a great recipe! ๐
Thank you, Erica ๐ Iโm going to have to find one of my own because this recipe is going on repeat!
As long as it tastes good, that’s the acid test for me. I don’t care if I have to eat it through a straw.
That reminds me, TG, of a few years ago when I tried a custom milk shake that had a cupcake blended into it. It was delicious (through a straw) even though it probably took 6 months off my life ๐คฃ. Thank you ๐
Your cake looks really yummy! And your work-around was genius. Can’t wait to see if you can improve on the texture aspect next time around. You are living my dream now because one of the things I’m looking forward to doing after I move is baking with a new oven.
It always takes a while to figure out how a new oven is going to bake – mine is a little on the cooler side hence adding a few extra minutes over what the recipe calls for. Thanks, Jean ๐
Well, at least you know why and can correct it next time.
I hope thatโs the reason. At least, I will have fun making another one (and eating it!). Thanks, Sheree ๐
Let is know how you get on
Will do!
That looks gorgeous ๐ I have no problem with it being crumbly as I’m an expert in the art of spilling my food everywhere already!
Then this is the cake for you! At least, the way I made it. ๐คฃ Thanks, Deb ๐
Up to now, I have resisted using wheat flour alternatives – this recipe just might draw me into the almond flour department. But yeah, it has to be lemony!
Almond flour is not my favourite wheat alternative but it does add delicious flavour. If youโre an almond lover (and I am). I donโt think I am allergic to gluten per se, but there is something about wheat (North American, in particular) that gives me heartburn so itโs best for me to avoid it. Thanks, Maggie ๐
The texture looks similar to a bread pudding and while it doesn’t look like the cake in the recipe photo, it isn’t unappealing. The only thing that matters is that you like it. Maybe a little lemon extract next time??
Lemon extract! I never thought of that. Great suggestion, Suzanne. Thanks ๐
Cake! Pudding! Who cares! Closing my eyes and imagining how good it would smell and taste. Cheers Deb!
Your imaginings are all true, Ted! If you and Brenda ever land on the Island, Iโll make one for you. Thanks ๐
I don’t own a springform pan either. It’s one of those things that I always feel like I will never use enough! With me being a minimalist, I feel on the fence owning one. Although that cake does look yummy, even without the springform pan. ๐
Iโve owned them in the past. (Note the plural: them!) Itโs an item I buy then seldom use, then give away or donate when packing for a move. Then I come across a recipe I want to try and buy one again. And the cycle continues ๐คฃ. I should probably think this one through as the silicone pan did a good job. Thanks, Kari ๐
Me too! I find a cool cheesecake recipe and think, I wish I owned one! Makes me think we would be good neighbors. ๐
Yes! One of us could buy the pan and weโd be done with it! (By โitโ I meant the dilemma of own or not to own. We could share it!) ๐
I’m for anything lemon as well. Trisha Yearwood’s Glazed Limoncello Cookies and Chef Ricardo’s Lemon Poppyseed Loaf are in steady rotation around here.
Mmmmmm….heading straight to the Interwebs to try and source the recipes you mentioned! Thank you ! ๐
You had me at lemon but I moved away at gluten free. My experiences there have not been good either taste or texture. Hopefully they come a long way since my last try. I make some great lemon cookies. In addition to lemon zest they call for lemon extract which pumps that flavor up! Don’t know why it’s crumbly but that wouldn’t turn me off. You can use a spoon and get all the goodness.
I donโt see why this cake couldnโt be made with wheat flour. Youโd have to add almond extract though, to get that delicious almond-y flavour. Youโre the second person to mention lemon extract. Iโll have to give that a try. Thanks, Kate ๐
I worked well for my cookies and doesn’t taste artificial.
I don’t own a springforrm pan, so now that I downsized I am generally going with the wilton six inch round pan (the equivalent of half a cake mix). I just put parchment in the bottom and it works. I would add more zest, even if you need to use the jarred kind.
I put parchment in the bottom too, Barb. It helped to get the cake out later. I had to flip it onto a plate (now upside down) and then immediately flip it onto the desired plate (now right side up again). I did not know jarred zest was a thing you could buy. Thanks! ๐
It looks yummy! At least you know what happened and can fix it next time round.
I can’t tell you how many of my freshly baked loaves of bread looked awful but tasted delicious. ๐
And thatโs what really matters, isnโt it? Thanks, Deborah ๐
๐
Ah what a great concept – a virtual tea party. Your cake looks delicious. You said it was crumbly but if it wasn’t dry that’s ok. Lemon anything is awesome! Enjoy the second attempt.
Thank you, Bernie ๐
Wow, looks great and I would’ve eaten at least two slices of it anyway! Italians make some delish cakes and yes, I agree with that Dutch almond filling in pastries… so good! What’s the next one gonna be?
The Virtual Tea Party is held every month, mid-month. Thanks, CG๐
I LOVE a great lemon cake, Deb – HUGE THANK YOU’s for bringing this along to our tea!!! It might not look like your variation was a good ‘um, but we all sure gobbled it up as a taste champion! ๐ You’ve contributed the best recipes! Will give this one a go myself. Without a spring-form or silicon pan it’s gonna be interesting to see how it turns out. I think I’ll try an old trick — after cake is cooled, will take a toothpick and make tiny holes around the top, then drizzle extra lemon juice and let it be absorbed that way. D’you think that would work?
Again, delighted to have you and LOVED your cake!
OMG, that is genius! Thanks, Del ๐
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This looks delicious Deb; and ticks all the boxes for me. I’d probably have done the same with the lemon juice (I just did in fact with some shortbread). A couple of extra spoons of flour will probably fix the problem next time. And it sounds like there will definitely be a next time ๐
Definitely a next time…and definitely will try to fix the issue with a few spoons of gluten-free flour blend! Thanks, Su ๐
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Yum. You are a woman after my own heart: a “lemoned up” cake is a great one. I’ve never used a silicone pan, so most interested in that part of your baking.
Thank you, Ally ๐ I love my silicone bakeware. I have loaf pans and muffin pans in silicone as well.
It still looks delicious…lie a nice lemony bread pudding. Yum!
Thank you, Tracey ๐ It was!
Well at least it does LOOK good. It looks delicious!! And I’m betting that even though it crumbled, it still tasted great and did NOT go to waste! Ha ha.
But seriously, that is one of the reasons I gave up on baking. If one gets the measurements slightly off or omit something or add something, then who knows. Not like cooking where it is easier to be creative.
Ben was surprisingly hooked on the British Baking show. Have you seen that? If not, it really is a treat to watch.
Peta
No, it did not go to waste…instead it went to waist!๐คฃ I have seen snippets of those baking shows and they are intriguing. Thanks, Peta ๐
You had me at cake. Yes, please ๐
I should have the recipe perfected by the time we meet again! ๐ Thanks, Joanne ๐
Haha, I love that even the fail part is instagram worthy.
๐คฃ Yep. Instagram LIES. Lies, I tell ya! ๐ Thanks, Akilah ๐
Deb, I think I will try making this cake. I love everything with almonds, almond flour, and almond paste. I also followed your link to how to make almond paste. Something else to try!
Jude
The homemade stuff is so good! Especially at the centre of some puff pastry ๐. Thanks, Jude ๐
Hi Deb – I know I’m very late to the party … but by now – there must be another cake ready to be eaten!!? Lemon cakes are just the best … and the crumbleness of it – oh no worries there – probably all the better for it … and perhaps you could have added a thick rich lemon yoghurt dessert topping … it’s time for tea here … but no cake to go with it – poor me … !! Well done … baking days are here again – have a good run up to the Christmas time … take care and enjoy life … Hilary
Excellent suggestion, Hilary! Yes, there have been more baking attempts since. Hope to have another virtual tea party post later this week. Thanks ๐
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The fact that youโre going to leave out the lemon liqueur disturbs me, unless you pour me a glass…. then all is forgiven.
Well, that might have been an error in judgement on my part. ๐ Usually my go-to is add more booze, not leave it out. Iโm not sure the limoncello adds to the lemon-ness of this recipe as much as it should. Could be better utilized โon the sideโ, to wash down the cake, instead. Thanks, Rivergirl ๐