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Tangerine-Almond Cake with Bay-Infused Syrup
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This syrup-soaked cake had an incredibly moist, pleasantly dense texture, thanks in part to almond meal. Infusing the citrus syrup with bay leaves added an herbal note. We loved the unique flavor of tangerines in this cake, but if you can’t find them, substitute orange zest and juice. A wand-style grater was best for zesting the thin, delicate tangerine skin. If you don’t have an 8-inch-round cake pan, use a 9-inch pan and reduce the baking time to about 45 minutes.
8
Servings
Don’t invert the cake without the buttered parchment. The cake’s exterior is tacky and will easily stick to other surfaces, peeling off the crust and the almonds. Use parchment for the best presentation.
1 hour and 10 minutes
20 minutes active plus cooling
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223
grams (2¼ cups) blanched almond flour
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95
grams (⅔ cup) all-purpose flour
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½
teaspoon baking powder
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211
grams (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon) white sugar
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1½
tablespoons finely grated tangerine zest (4 to 5 tangerines)
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2
teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (1 to 2 lemons)
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¼
teaspoon table salt
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12
tablespoons (1½ sticks) salted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
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4
large eggs, room temperature
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3
tablespoons sliced almonds
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66
grams (⅓ cup) white sugar
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3
tablespoons tangerine juice
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2
tablespoons lemon juice
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3
small bay leaves, broken in half

Milk Street Recipes
Our Rich, Rustic Tangerine-Almond Cake


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01Heat the oven to 325°F with a rack in the middle position. Butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch-round cake pan. Line the bottom with kitchen parchment, then butter the parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, all-purpose flour and baking powder.See Demo
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02In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the sugar, both zests and the salt on low until the sugar appears moistened and clumps, about 1 minute. Add the butter and mix on medium-low until the mixture is cohesive. Increase the mixer to medium-high and beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer to low and add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition.See Demo
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03Add the dry ingredients and mix on low just until combined, 10 to 15 seconds. Use a silicone spatula to fold the batter until no streaks of flour remain. (The batter will be very thick.) Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Spread into an even layer, then sprinkle the almonds on top. Bake until the cake is golden brown and the center feels firm when lightly pressed, about 55 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.See Demo
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04Meanwhile, make the syrup. In a small saucepan over medium, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let the syrup steep until needed. When the cake is done, return the syrup to a simmer over medium heat. Use a toothpick or skewer to poke holes all over the cake's surface. Brush all of the hot syrup evenly onto the hot cake. Cool the cake in the pan until barely warm to the touch, about 30 minutes. Lightly butter a sheet of kitchen parchment, then place it on the cake buttered side down. Invert a large plate on top of the parchment, then invert the plate and cake pan together. Lift off the pan and remove the parchment round. Re-invert the cake onto a serving platter and let cool completely.See Demo
Desserts
I do not have an eight-inch pan. I have lots of other sizes but that. If I make this in a nine-inch pan I know it will be flatter. Do you suggest I increase the ingredients or decrease baking time? I can only assume that it would bake faster in a larger pan if the ingredients are kept the same.
You can’t go wrong when you serve this cake - everyone will love it because it is fantastic!