Discover the delicate elegance of *Torta de Cielo*, an irresistible almond sponge cake that lives up to its name—“cake from heaven.” This traditional Mexican dessert features the nutty richness of finely ground blanched almonds paired with a whisper of zesty lemon and pure vanilla, all folded into a cloud-like batter for a light, airy texture. Perfect for special occasions or as an indulgent treat, this cake is beautifully finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a simple yet sophisticated presentation. With just 20 minutes of prep and a short bake time, this heavenly almond creation is the epitome of rustic charm and refined flavor. Try serving it with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for a dessert that’s truly divine. Keywords: almond sponge cake, torta de cielo recipe, Mexican almond cake, light and airy cake, traditional Mexican dessert.
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a food processor, grind the blanched almonds into a fine almond meal. Be careful not to over-process, as it may turn into almond butter.
In a small bowl, mix the almond meal and all-purpose flour together until combined. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Separate the eggs into yolks and whites. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest for added flavor.
Using clean beaters, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter, alternating with the almond-flour mixture in three additions. Use a spatula to fold gently, maintaining as much air as possible.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cool, dust the top with powdered sugar before serving.
Calories |
3014 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 218.9 g | 281% | |
| Saturated Fat | 70.7 g | 354% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 999 mg | 333% | |
| Sodium | 438 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 235.9 g | 86% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.6 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 171.9 g | ||
| Protein | 70.8 g | 142% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.0 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 682 mg | 52% | |
| Iron | 13.3 mg | 74% | |
| Potassium | 1770 mg | 38% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.