Lemon Almond Cake

A square slice of Lemon Almond Cake with white icing and sliced almonds on top, served on a white plate with a fork. Lemons are blurred in the background.

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5 from 1 vote

This lemon almond cake is a homemade cake made with almond paste and extract and lemon juice and zest.

Prep Time25

Cook Time50

Total Time1 15

Servings: slices

Author: Miranda Couse

Ingredients

Cake

1 cup butter room temperature
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
16 ounces almond paste broken into small pieces
2 tablespoons lemon zest 2 lemons
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon paste optional
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Glaze

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds toasted

Instructions

Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, add the 1 cup butter, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 16 ounces almond paste, and 2 tablespoons lemon zest. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat until creamed and the almond paste is well blended. This could take 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon almond extract, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon paste. Beat until the eggs are worked into the batter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
In a liquid measuring cup, add the 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 3/4 cup buttermilk.
In a medium bowl, add the 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk until combined.
Start alternating adding the the dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture starting and finishing with the dry ingredients. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
Scoop the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread out evenly to the sides of the pan.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean or with moist crumbs. If testing by gently pushing on the top of the cake, it won’t bounce back right away when it’s done.
Remove from the oven and whip up the glaze to pour on it while the cake is still warm.
Add the sliced almonds on a rimmed baking pan and spread out into one even layer.
Place in the 350 degree F oven for 5 minutes until slightly golden and fragrant.

Glaze

In a small bowl, add the 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 2 cups powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth.
Pour almost all of the glaze on the hot cake and spread out using an angled spatula to coat the entire cake.
Sprinkle the toasted 1/4 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds on top of the glaze.
Drizzle the remaining glaze on top of the sliced almonds.
Let cool completely before serving.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

Storage: You can store your cake in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days. Now, you can extend the shelf like to 4-5 days if you store the cake in the fridge.

Freezing: You can also freeze slices of the cake, or the whole cake in a freezer-friendly container or bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. Then thaw on the counter or in the fridge overnight.

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