Tarta de Santiago, a Spanish almond cake, is among the hottest desserts in Spain. This conventional tarta de Santiago recipe combines floor almonds, sugar, and eggs for a fast, moist, and gluten free cake that is simple to make at dwelling in lower than one hour!
If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra scrumptious cake recipes, make sure to strive my recipes for lemon olive oil cake and Spanish magdalenas.

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Introduction
One of many first Spanish desserts I fell head over heels for was the tarta de Santiago, a easy almond cake that hails from Galicia, however is discovered on almost any dessert menu in Spain.
After I first tried this dessert, I used to be stunned that this humble cake tasted like a handful of almonds—and I used to be delighted! The almond muffins I grew up consuming have been flavored with almond extract, which is kind of totally different from the almond sweets right here in Spain, the place the star of the present is at all times the uncooked almond.

After I determined to make tarta de Santiago at dwelling, I hoped to get that good almond style and dense, but someway mild, texture. I attempted 4 totally different recipes, together with one from nuns, however it wasn’t till a got here throughout an outdated, scribbled recipe in my one in all my mother-in-law’s outdated cookbooks that I discovered a winner.
I’m excited to share this good Spanish almond cake recipe with you!
Elements

There are solely seven easy components on this tarta de Santiago so you may simply make this Spanish cake everytime you’re craving it. Let’s discuss an important components!
- Almonds: I really like utilizing Spanish Marcona almonds, however any will do. The standard Tarta de Santiago recipe makes use of uncooked blanched almonds, because the skins can add bitterness. You may optionally toast your almonds for a deeper taste.
- Lemon Zest: I take advantage of the zest from half a lemon for the right lemon taste. Be happy so as to add extra, or omit it solely.
- Cinnamon: I really like the addition of cinnamon to this cake, although many individuals omit.
- Liquor: The liquor provides moisture and a little bit of taste if you happen to’re utilizing a flavored liquor.
- Powdered Sugar: A should for the ornament of the cake! If you happen to can, obtain a stencil of the Saint James Cross to brighten your Spanish almond cake the standard manner.
See recipe card for full data on components and portions.
Substitutions
- Almonds: And if you happen to should substitute one other nut, hazelnuts work superbly.
- Lemon Zest: You may substitute orange zest.
- Liquor: Substitute vanilla, lemon, or almond extract.
Easy methods to Make
If you happen to’d prefer to see the complete components and directions, scroll to the underside of the submit for the printable recipe card.

- Crack the eggs into a big bowl.
- Add the sugar.

- Beat till the combination lightens in coloration.
- Add the lemon zest.

- Add the liquor.
- Add the cinnamon and blend till effectively mixed.

- Fold within the floor almonds.
- Make certain there’s no pockets of unincorporated almonds.

- Grease a mould.
- Add the batter, then bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes (till mild brown and a toothpick comes out clear).

- When the cake is completed, enable it to chill. Minimize out a Saint James cross to make a stencil.
- Cowl the cake with the cutout and mud with powdered sugar.

- When the cake is completely coated with powdered sugar, rigorously take away the stencil. Voila! A gorgeous tarta de Santiago!
- Get pleasure from this tarta de Santiago.
Recipe FAQs
Probably the most fundamental components are floor almonds, sugar, eggs, and it is flavored with lemon zest and liquor. I like so as to add just a little little bit of cinnamon for further taste, too!
The primary point out of this Spanish almond cake dates again to 1577. It was identified for being a mixture of equal components almonds, eggs, and sugar.
It’s! A conventional tarta de Santiago recipe doesn’t embody any wheat flour (solely floor almonds). This makes the Spanish almond cake recipe naturally gluten free.
It’s named after Santiago de Compostela and Saint James (Santiago), the patron saint of Galicia. That is why it is adorned with the Saint James cross.
Serve
If you happen to’re on the lookout for another Spanish desserts, you will need to strive these recipes for chocolate olive oil cake, Spanish flan, torijas, and tortas de la abuela.

Retailer
Leftovers: Retailer the cake at room temperature wrapped in plastic wrap or an hermetic container. It could possibly preserve exterior of the fridge for as much as three days.
Freezing: Freeze slices of the cake for as much as three months.
Professional Suggestions
- Weigh the almonds and sugar for correct measurements.
- Make certain the eggs are at room temperature so that they incorporate extra easily.
- Watch out to not overbake the cake!
- If you happen to’re utilizing a smaller pan, make sure to enhance the baking time just a little and test with a toothpick for doneness.
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Spanish Almond Cake (Tarta de Santiago Recipe)
That is my favourite tarta de Santiago recipe, a preferred Spanish almond cake that’s usually made in Galicia.
Print (photographs non-obligatory) Pin FeeServings: 8 slices
Energy: 323.41kcal
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-inch (25 cm) springform pan with butter.
Pulse the almonds in a meals processor till finely floor, nevertheless watch out to not flip the combination to almond butter by over processing.
Beat the egg and sugar till the combination is pale and creamy, then add the lemon zest, liquor, and cinnamon.
Fold within the floor almonds utilizing a rubber spatula and pour within the almond cake batter.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, till the cake is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clear. If it isn’t baked at half-hour, cowl the cake with aluminum foil and bake for five extra minutes, then check once more.
Permit the cake to chill within the pan, after which switch to a serving dish.
- Print out a cross of Saint James, lower it out, and place on the cake. Enhance with powdered sugar, then take away the cross stencil.
Serve the cake in slices with the recent fruit if desired.
Notes
- Weigh the almonds and sugar for correct measurements.
- Make certain the eggs are at room temperature so that they incorporate extra easily.
- Watch out to not overbake the cake!
- If you happen to’re utilizing a smaller pan, make sure to enhance the baking time just a little and test with a toothpick for doneness.
Diet
Serving: 1slice | Energy: 323.41kcal | Carbohydrates: 37.95g | Protein: 9.4g | Fats: 16.48g | Saturated Fats: 1.84g | Trans Fats: 0.01g | Ldl cholesterol: 102.3mg | Sodium: 39.41mg | Potassium: 39.69mg | Fiber: 3.1g | Sugar: 32.27g | Vitamin A: 149.24IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 77.02mg | Iron: 1.58mg
Images by Giulia Verdinelli