This recipe for Almondy Cake is a copycat version of the Ikea cake that you can get in their store. It contains layers of almond cake, layered with a rich sweet cream, finished with toasted almond flakes.
My husband came back with a box of Almondy cake from Ikea the other day, and it was my first time trying it.
The almond cake was really tasty, and my boys really liked it so I decided to see if I could replicate it at home.
What is an Almondy Cake?
According to Almondy's website, it's a layered Swedish almond cake with a golden cream, topped with roasted almond flakes.
The almond cake base is similar to a joconde sponge cake, which is most commonly used in Opera cakes.
Ingredients in the cake
There are only a few ingredients for this cake and it comes together quite easily.
For the almond cake:
- egg whites: preferably at room temperature so it can whip up with more volume.
- cream of tartar: or a little lemon juice -- helps stabilize the egg whites
- granulated sugar: stabilizes the meringue mixture and adds some sweetness
- almond flour: which is ground up almond nuts; you can find almond flour in natural and and health food stores, or you can grind your own by blitzing whole almonds in a food processor. (Just be sure not to over process or you'll end up with almond nut butter instead).
The golden cream contains:
- egg yolks: leftover from the egg whites
- granulated sugar: again, to sweeten the mixture
- vanilla extract: adds flavour to the cream; use a good quality extract
- salt: a pinch of sea salt helps to balance the sweetness in the cream
- dry milk powder: adds some flavour to the cream, and helps to thicken it up, optional
- heavy whipping cream: the cream (should be at least 36% MF [milkfat])
- butter: adds a little richness to the cream mixture.
Note: this recipe makes enough for 2 x 2-layer 6" cakes. You can stack the layers if you wish to make a taller 4-layer 6" cake.
Does it contain gluten?
The almond cake is actually gluten-free.
What does it taste like?
It has crunchy almond texture and sweet, slightly chewy texture, similar to a macaron.
How to make the cake
First, make the meringue:
Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. (Transfer the egg yolks to a separate bowl).
Place the egg whites into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment.
Start the mixer and when the egg whites become foamy, add in the cream of tartar.
Gradually add in the sugar and whip until stiff and shiny peaks.
Dump the almond flour into the meringue and fold with a spatula until the almond flour is incorporated.
Divide the mixture evenly into two round 6" pans lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes, until golden in colour.
Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack.
Make the golden cream:
Similar to making a custard, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, salt, milk powder and vanilla extract into a glass bowl.
Warm heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan over medium heat.
While whisking the egg yolk mixture, pour the warm cream into the egg yolks and transfer back into the saucepan.
Continue to whisk over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of butter.
Completely chill the cream mixture in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours.
Pour the chilled cream and whip with a wire whisk (in a stand mixer) until light and airy. (Don't worry if it doesn't completely whip up).
Assemble:
Slice the cake in half using a serrated knife.
Add about ¼ C of cream and spread with an offset spatula.
Layer on another slice of cake.
Repeat with another layer of cream and spread to cover the side edges.
Coat with toasted almond flakes.
Place into the freezer for a few hours before serving.
Can you freeze the almond cake?
Yes, this cake freezes beautifully.
How to store & serve
Store the cake in a container in the freezer.
The best thing about this Swedish almond cake is that you don't need to defrost it before serving.
Pair the almond cake with some coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.
How does it compare to the Ikea version?
We did a blind taste test and couldn't tell the difference between the two cakes.
It was so similar in taste and texture.
My kids really enjoyed it, which was the biggest test for me!
Other recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these other recipes:
Easy Double-Baked Almond Croissants
Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Almondy Cake (Ikea Copycat)
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
For the almond cake:
- 3 egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar or lemon juice
- 150 g almond flour
- 70 g granulated sugar
For the golden cream:
- 3 egg yolks
- 50 g granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 15 g dry milk powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 100 ml heavy whipping cream
- 15 g salted butter
For garnish:
- ¼ - ½ C toasted almond flakes
Instructions
Make the almond cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C.
- Prepare 2 round 6" pans with parchment paper.
- Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. (Transfer the egg yolks to a separate bowl and set aside).
- Place the egg whites into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment.
- Start the mixer and when the egg whites become foamy, add in the cream of tartar.
- Gradually add in the sugar and whip until stiff and shiny peaks.
- Dump the almond flour into the meringue and fold with a spatula until the almond flour is incorporated.
- Divide the mixture evenly into two round 6" pans lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350°F/177°C for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden in colour.
- Remove from the oven and let cakes cool on a rack.
Make the golden cream:
- Similar to making a custard, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, salt, milk powder and vanilla extract into a glass bowl.
- Warm heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- While whisking the egg yolk mixture, pour the warm cream into the egg yolks and transfer back into the saucepan.
- Continue to whisk over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Completely chill the cream mixture in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours.
- Pour the chilled cream and whip with a wire whisk (in a stand mixer) until lightens up a little. (Don't worry if the mixture doesn't completely whip up, we're just looking for it to be a little lighter).
Assemble:
- Slice the almond cake in half.
- Spread about ¼ C of whipped golden cream over the cake with an offset spatula.
- Place another layer of cake on top of the cream.
- Spread another layer of golden cream and cover the edges of the cake with the cream.
- Coat the top and sides of the cake with toasted almond flakes.
- Repeat with the second cake, unless making 1 x 4-layered 6" cake.
- Chill the cake in the freezer for at least 6-8 hours before serving.
- Serve from frozen.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Shinta Simon
I've tried this at Ikea and we love it so much! Thank you for this detailed recipe. Definitely making it at home. It looks and sounds incredibly tempting
Michelle
Thanks Shinta! I hope you enjoy!!
Charla
Simply awesome! Who needs Ikea when you can make it at home right?
Alei
This came out pretty good. I was looking for a dessert I can throw in the freezer in case we have surprise guests and I also had a lot of almonds that I made the flour with. I don't have an IKEA cake in front of me to compare the taste, but from memory this is a great copy cat. Well done on the recipe! I enjoyed it, thank you!
Michelle
Hi Alei, thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback. Happy to hear that it turned out well for you! 🙂
David @ Spiced
What a fun cake! First off, thanks for the reminder that we don't have an Ikea anywhere near us. Haha! I do love recreating recipes that we found out and about, and I bet you had a lot of fun making this one. It looks fantastic, and I might have to give this one a go...especially since the closest Ikea is about 3 hours away. 🙂
Michelle
Wow 3 hours away?! I'm now realizing that I am so privileged to live in a city with 2 IKEA locations close by within 25 mins driving time... 😛 Well then, you'll definitely have to give the recipe a try, David! 🙂
Josiah - DIY Thrill
This almond cake looks moist and so yummy!
Raymund
Now I miss visiting Ikea, we dont have it here in NZ so when I visit my mom in Switzerland once in a while Ikea is always on the itinerary because of the meatballs, I haven't seen this before so next time I am there I will hunt for it
Michelle
Oh wow, your mom lives in Switzerland? So far away! I wonder if they carry the same type of things at their IKEA!
Holly
This is one of the cakes that I buy when I go to IKEA. Too bad that I don't get to go there often because it is over an hour away. Glad that you covered this recipe. I should try this one out. Looks so tasty!
Michelle
Thanks Holly! I only tried it since my hubby brought it home -- wish I had known about it sooner! 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I've never noticed this cake at Ikea but now I don't need to - yours looks so good!!! Delicious!!
Michelle
Thanks Katherine! Haha yes, I never knew about this cake until my hubby brought it home! 😀
Allyssa
Super easy to make and it taste amazing too! Thanks a bunch for sharing this cake recipe!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Ooo I love IKEA Almond cake - it has a simple yet clean and delightful taste and texture. Good job on recreating it! But I probably love their second type, with chocolate and crunchy caramel, even more. So I hope you sample and try recreating that one as well! 🙂
Michelle
Thanks Ben -- OK that sounds so good, I will have to check out the chocolate version! 😀
Adrianne
Talk about soft, and delicious, yum!! I am all about this cake. Can't wait to make it again, so good!
Biana
Yum! I like almonds, and this cake looks perfect! What a great summer dessert.
Linsey
This cake looks so beautiful and delicious! Will try it soon!
Julia
Wow! This was a total hit in our house this week, love almond flour and how easy was this recipe to make. Thanks for sharing !
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
We don't have an Ikea and I don't think I've ever been to one (though, of course, have heard of it!). This cake looks like a must try! Just what my cuppa coffee needs right about now!
Michelle
Thank you Dawn! The cake definitely goes well with coffee 🙂
2pots2cook
Wow ! Love almondy cake ! Thank you for the recipe !!!!!!!
Michelle
Glad you love Almondy cake, Davorka! I can't believe I only knew about it so recently!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
I adore almond cake and this looks like such a great one! I've never had this cake at Ikea, but I know a homemade version has to be even better. Looks perfect for a Sunday dinner dessert.
cheima
Hello ! I want to try the recipe but I want to know If it is possible to just put the cake in the fridge instead of freezer. I don't want a frozen cake (like ice cream) but something moist and creamy as a "breakfast cake " or "tea time cake".
Thanks for your attention. 🙂
Michelle
Hi there, from my experience, placing the cake in the freezer didn't "freeze" the cake -- it's just to set the cream so it's not too runny. Hope that helps.