Chocolate Orange Cake (Almond Flour)

A rich chocolaty cake made with almond flour, lots of chocolate and oranges. Pair it up with some vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. This gluten free cake is perfect for birthdays, Passover, Valentine’s Day or any celebration.

6½ oz almond flour
1 cup sugar, divided
6 oz bittersweet chocolate
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
2 tsp. orange zest, freshly grated
6 large eggs, separated
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise or 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp. sea salt

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). Prepare a 9” springform pan by generously coating the bottom and sides with butter.

In a large bowl, mix ¼ cup sugar into the almond flour. Coarsely chop your chocolate and then run it through a blender or food processor until finely ground. Thoroughly mix this into the almond flour. Break up any clumps.

Next, whisk together the cocoa, orange juice and zest. The mixture will get very thick.

In an electric mixing bowl, scrape the seeds of your vanilla bean (use the back of a paring knife) and combine it with the egg yolks and ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. of sugar. Beat this mixture with a whisk attachment until it is very thick. The colour should change from the yolk colour to a very pale white.

Beat the cocoa mixture into the egg yolk mixture until just combined and then gently fold it into the dry almond mixture. Set it aside.

Using a clean bowl and whisk attachment of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and salt on medium speed. Once it becomes a little foamy, gradually add the remaining 2 Tbsp. of sugar and beat until you have stiff peaks.

Fold the egg whites into the chocolate batter in three additions. Be sure to that it is completely incorporated but do not overmix. Transfer the batter to your pan and bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when tested in the center. It is normal for a flourless cake to fall a little when taken out of the oven. Let it cool completely in the pan before removing it.

Decorate with powdered sugar and oranges if desired.

Makes 12 slices.