Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Almond and Orange Cake
A moist and fragrant almond cake with bright orange zest and juice, inspired by traditional Portuguese flavors from Braga’s Bom Jesus. This portuguese-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers (250 g) granulated sugar, large eggs, orange zest (from 2 oranges) into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (about 200 g) whole almonds, finely ground
- 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 2 tbsp orange zest (from 2 oranges)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan, tapping out excess flour.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 5 large eggs with 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar using a hand mixer on high speed for 5 minutes until pale and thick.
- Step 3: Gently fold in 2 cups finely ground almonds, 2 tbsp orange zest, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 tsp baking powder until just combined.
- Step 4: Fold in 3 tbsp melted and cooled unsalted butter until batter is smooth.
- Step 5: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Step 6: Cool cake completely in the pan on a wire rack, then invert onto a plate and dust with 2 tbsp powdered sugar before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Almond and Orange Cake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Almond and Orange Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Almond and Orange Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Almond and Orange Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Almond and Orange Cake?
Portuguese desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
