Zesty Lemon Coconut Almond Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Lemon coconut almond cake brings sunshine to any dessert table with its vibrant, tantalizing flavors.

Tropical notes dance alongside zesty citrus in this delightful sweet creation.

Each slice promises a perfect balance between bright and rich taste profiles.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients combine to craft a dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Moist, tender crumb meets nutty undertones and subtle coconut whispers for an unforgettable experience.

Elegant yet approachable, this cake elevates ordinary afternoons into special moments.

Bakers of all skill levels can confidently whip up this crowd-pleasing treat.

What Brings This Almond Cake to Life

• Savor Effortless Baking: This lemon coconut almond cake offers a foolproof recipe that even novice bakers can master with minimal stress and maximum deliciousness.
• Celebrate Vibrant Flavor Fusion: The combination of zesty lemon, nutty almond, and sweet coconut creates a harmonious taste profile that dances across your palate with every bite.
• Enjoy Versatile Dessert Delight: Perfect for casual afternoon tea, family gatherings, or a quick sweet treat, this cake adapts beautifully to different occasions while remaining simple and crowd-pleasing.
• Relish Quick Preparation Magic: With just 10 minutes of prep time and straightforward mixing method, you can whip up this impressive dessert without spending hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking a delectable homemade treat.

What You’ll Need to Bake This Coconut Beauty

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender texture to the cake, choose high-quality butter for best results.
• Eggs: Adds structure and moisture, room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
• Almond Meal: Creates a nutty base and adds moisture, use finely ground almonds for smooth texture.

• Caster Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a light crumb, superfine sugar dissolves easily.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor, pure vanilla provides the best taste.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes, fresh zest offers the most intense flavor.

• Desiccated Coconut: Adds texture and tropical flavor, unsweetened variety works best.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
• Cooking/Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Flaked Almonds: Optional topping for extra crunch and nutty decoration.

Baking This Citrus Cake from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a round 8-inch cake pan and line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Butter Base

Melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Allow to cool slightly.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Whisk together:

Eggs

Vanilla extract

Sugar

Combine thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

Fold into wet mixture:

Almond meal

Salt

Baking powder

Shredded coconut

Fresh lemon zest

Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top for extra crunch.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let cake rest in pan for 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely for one hour before slicing.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Servings: 10-12 slices

Calories: 208 per slice

Sweet Tips for a Perfect Almond Crumb

• Zest with Precision: Use a microplane or fine grater to extract only the bright yellow part of the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Measure Almond Meal Accurately: Sift almond meal before mixing to prevent clumps and ensure a smooth, consistent cake texture.
• Butter Melting Technique: Melt butter in short microwave bursts, stirring between each to prevent overheating and maintain a uniform consistency.
• Almond Topping Trick: Lightly toast almonds before sprinkling on top to enhance their nutty flavor and create a beautiful golden-brown appearance.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow eggs and butter to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing, which helps create a more even, lighter cake crumb.

Keeping the Cake Fresh Without Losing Moisture

• Refrigerate: Store cake covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Slice cake and place individual portions in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 150°C/300°F for 5-7 minutes until slightly warm. Enjoy the cake's soft texture and refreshed flavors.

What Goes Well with Lemon Coconut Cake

• Pair with Citrus-Infused Champagne: Complement the cake's bright lemon notes with a crisp, chilled champagne that echoes the zesty citrus undertones, creating a luxurious and refreshing flavor combination.
• Serve alongside Lavender Earl Grey Tea: The delicate floral and bergamot hints of Earl Grey perfectly balance the cake's nutty almond and sweet coconut flavors, offering a sophisticated afternoon tea experience.
• Drizzle with Honey Mascarpone Cream: Create a decadent accompaniment by whipping mascarpone with a touch of honey, which enhances the cake's richness while adding a silky, elegant texture that elevates the dessert.
• Match with Tropical Fruit Sorbet: A light, tangy passion fruit or mango sorbet provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the cake's dense texture, bringing out the tropical coconut essence and cleansing the palate.

New Twists on This Tropical Cake Combo

• Tropical Sunshine Cake: Swap lemon zest with orange zest and add crushed pineapple to the batter for a vibrant tropical flavor profile.
• Nutty Berry Delight: Replace almonds with chopped pistachios and fold in fresh raspberries or blueberries for a fruity, nutty combination.
• Spiced Coconut Dream: Incorporate ground cinnamon, cardamom, and a pinch of nutmeg to create a warm, aromatic cake with enhanced depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Almond Heaven: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of almond meal for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the cake's rich, moist texture.

Easy Lemon Coconut Almond Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Citrusy Mediterranean sunshine sparkles through this lemon coconut almond cake, blending classic Mediterranean flavors with delightful textures. Sweet almond flour and zesty lemon create a perfect harmony you’ll want to savor slice by slice.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Protein and Fat Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 150 grams (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter

Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups almond meal (ground almond)
• 0.75 cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 0.75 cup desiccated coconut (finely shredded unsweetened coconut)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
• 0.25 cup flaked almonds (optional)

Flavor and Aromatic Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 teaspoons lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the baking vessel by creating a non-stick environment using butter or cooking spray, then line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a spacious microwave-safe mixing bowl, gently liquefy the butter and allow it to cool to room temperature, preventing egg scrambling.
3. Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar into the melted butter, whisking vigorously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, homogeneous liquid.
4. Gradually fold in the almond meal, ensuring even distribution, then introduce salt and baking powder to enhance the cake’s structural integrity.
5. Integrate shredded coconut and freshly grated lemon zest, stirring carefully to distribute aromatic ingredients throughout the batter.
6. Transfer the silky mixture into the prepared pan, creating an even surface with a spatula.
7. Delicately scatter sliced almonds across the top, providing a decorative and crunchy textural element.
8. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake until the cake develops a golden-brown exterior and a wooden skewer emerges clean when inserted.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to rest inside the pan for initial cooling, which helps prevent structural collapse.
10. Carefully transfer the cake to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling before slicing and serving to ensure optimal texture and flavor development.

Notes

• Perfectly moist and light, this dessert transforms simple ingredients into a stunning treat that impresses without complicated techniques.
• Ideal for afternoon tea, picnics, or casual gatherings where you want a dessert that feels both elegant and comfortingly homemade.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 140mg