Ground almonds are a popular ingredient in many cake recipes as they add a nutty flavor and a moist texture to the cake.
But what if you’re out of ground almonds and need a substitute? No worries, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll share with you 7 amazing substitutes for ground almonds in cake that you can try at home.
Why Substitute Ground Almonds in Cake?
Before we dive into the substitutes, let’s first understand why you might need to substitute ground almonds in a cake recipe.
There are a few reasons why you may not have ground almonds on hand or why you may need to avoid them in your baking:
- Allergies: Almonds are a common allergen, so some people may need to avoid them in their baking.
- Cost: Ground almonds can be expensive, and you may be looking for a more affordable alternative.
- Taste preference: Not everyone likes the taste of almonds, so you may be looking for a substitute with a different flavor.
With that in mind, let’s explore some substitutes for ground almonds in cake recipes.
1. Almond Flour
While almond flour is made from ground almonds, it’s not quite the same as using ground almonds in a cake recipe.
Almond flour is typically made from blanched almonds that have had the skin removed, resulting in a finer texture that is closer to wheat flour.
If you’re substituting almond flour for ground almonds in a recipe, use a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that almond flour tends to absorb more liquid than ground almonds, so you may need to adjust the liquid in your recipe accordingly.
2. Hazelnut Flour
Hazelnut flour is another nut-based flour that can be used as a substitute for ground almonds in cake recipes. Like almond flour, hazelnut flour has a finer texture than ground nuts, and it’s also gluten-free.
When using hazelnut flour as a substitute for ground almonds, use a 1:1 ratio. Hazelnut flour has a slightly sweeter and nuttier flavor than almond flour, so it may add a different taste to your cake.
3. Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is a gluten-free flour that is made from dried, ground coconut meat. It’s a great alternative for those with nut allergies or who are looking for a lower-carb option.
When substituting coconut flour for ground almonds in a recipe, use only a quarter to a third of the amount of ground almonds called for in the recipe.
Coconut flour absorbs a lot of liquid, so you’ll need to adjust the amount of liquid and eggs in your recipe accordingly.
4. Oat Flour
Oat flour is made by grinding oats into a fine powder. It’s a great alternative for those who need to avoid gluten, as long as you use certified gluten-free oats.
When using oat flour as a substitute for ground almonds, use a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that oat flour has a slightly sweeter taste than ground almonds, so it may add a different flavor to your cake.
5. Sunflower Seed Flour
Sunflower seed flour is made from ground sunflower seeds and is a great nut-free alternative for those with allergies. It has a slightly nutty flavor that is similar to ground almonds.
When substituting sunflower seed flour for ground almonds in a recipe, use a 1:1 ratio. Sunflower seed flour absorbs less liquid than coconut flour, so you may not need to adjust the amount of liquid in your recipe.
6. Wheat Flour
If you don’t have any nut flours on hand, you can always use wheat flour as a substitute for ground almonds. While wheat flour doesn’t have the same nutty flavor as ground almonds, it will still work in most cake recipes.
7. Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour is a gluten-free flour that is made from ground chickpeas. It has a slightly nutty flavor that can work well in cake recipes.
When using chickpea flour as a substitute for ground almonds, use a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that chickpea flour has a denser texture than ground almonds, so your cake may be a bit heavier.
8. Cashew Flour
Cashew flour is another nut-based flour that can be used as a substitute for ground almonds. It has a similar texture and flavor to almond flour but may be slightly sweeter.
When using cashew flour as a substitute for ground almonds, use a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that cashew flour can be quite expensive, so it may not be the most cost-effective option.
9. Soy Flour
Soy flour is a high-protein, gluten-free flour that is made from ground soybeans. It has a slightly nutty flavor that can work well in cake recipes.
When using soy flour as a substitute for ground almonds, use a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that soy flour can have a strong taste, so it may not be the best option for delicate cake recipes.
10. Pumpkin Seed Flour
Pumpkin seed flour is made from ground pumpkin seeds and has a slightly nutty flavor that can work well in cake recipes.
When using pumpkin seed flour as a substitute for ground almonds, use a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that pumpkin seed flour can be quite dense, so it may result in a heavier cake.
FAQs
Yes, you can use almond meal as a substitute for ground almonds in cake. Just keep in mind that almond meal is coarser than ground almonds, so your cake may have a slightly different texture.
Yes, you can use other nut flours like pecan flour or walnut flour as a substitute for ground almonds in cake. Just keep in mind that they may have a slightly different flavor than almonds.
Yes, you can use soy flour as a substitute for ground almonds in cake. However, keep in mind that soy flour has a stronger flavor than almonds, so use it sparingly.
Conclusion
While ground almonds are a common ingredient in many cake recipes, there are plenty of substitutes that you can use if you don’t have them on hand or need to avoid them for allergy or cost reasons.
Almond flour, hazelnut flour, coconut flour, oat flour, sunflower seed flour, wheat flour, chickpea flour, cashew flour, soy flour, and pumpkin seed flour are all great alternatives to consider.
