Toffee almond cake is one of those desserts that always gets people asking for the recipe. There’s something about that sweet, buttery toffee paired with the nutty crunch of almonds that just works perfectly together.
This cake has become my go-to when I need something that looks impressive but doesn’t require any fancy techniques. The toffee bits get all caramelized and gooey while baking, and the almonds add just the right amount of texture.
It’s the kind of cake that disappears fast at family gatherings, and honestly, I don’t blame anyone for going back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Toffee Almond Cake
- Quick preparation – This cake comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for last-minute dessert needs or when you’re craving something sweet without spending all day in the kitchen.
- Rich, nutty flavor – The combination of almond meal and toffee sauce creates a perfectly balanced cake that’s not too sweet, with a wonderful depth of flavor you won’t find in regular vanilla cakes.
- Simple ingredients – Most of these ingredients are basic pantry staples, and the recipe doesn’t require any special equipment or complicated techniques.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can bake this cake in advance and add the warm toffee sauce just before serving, making it perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.
Easy Recipe Substitutions
Let me share some helpful substitutions for this cake recipe, though keep in mind some ingredients are key for the right texture and flavor:
- Golden caster sugar: Regular granulated sugar works perfectly fine here. You can also use light brown sugar, which will add a slight caramel note to the cake.
- Toffee sauce: Store-bought caramel sauce can work in place of toffee sauce. If using caramel, choose a thick one rather than a thin syrup. Just note that the flavor will be slightly different but still tasty!
- Almond meal: This is pretty important for the cake’s texture, but you can make your own by finely grinding blanched almonds in a food processor. Just don’t over-process or you’ll end up with almond butter!
- Sliced almonds: Feel free to use chopped whole almonds instead, or skip them if you need to – though they add a nice crunch to the cake.
- Butter: This is a key ingredient that shouldn’t be substituted as it’s crucial for the cake’s rich texture. Make sure it’s properly softened for the best results.
- All-purpose flour: Cake flour can work too – use 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons to account for the lighter weight. Just don’t use bread flour as it would make the cake tough.
Baking Blunders to Watch For
Using cold eggs or toffee sauce can cause the butter to seize up and create a lumpy batter, so make sure everything is at room temperature before starting.
When adding the almond meal, avoid overmixing the batter once the flour goes in, as this can lead to a dense, tough cake instead of a light, moist one.
For the best results, toast your sliced almonds before adding them to the top of the cake – this brings out their natural oils and creates a deeper, nuttier flavor that complements the toffee perfectly.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This toffee almond cake stays moist and tasty when kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live somewhere warm, you might want to pop it in the fridge instead – it’ll keep for up to 5 days that way. Just remember to wrap it well to prevent it from drying out!
Freeze: Good news – this cake freezes really well! Cut it into portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. It’s super handy when you want just a slice or two for unexpected guests or late-night cravings.
Serve Later: When you’re ready to serve frozen cake, thaw it overnight in the fridge or for about 2-3 hours at room temperature. If you want to warm it up, give it a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave. The toffee sauce can be stored separately in the fridge and warmed up when needed.
Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
Cooking Time | 25-30 minutes |
Total Time | 40-50 minutes |
Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2200-2400
- Protein: 30-35 g
- Fat: 185-195 g
- Carbohydrates: 150-160 g
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter (240g)
- 1/2 cup golden caster sugar (95g)
- 1/2 cup toffee sauce, room temperature (120ml)
- 3 large free-range eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (140g)
- 1 cup almond meal or ground almonds (85g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup warm toffee sauce (120ml)
- Optional: a few pinches of flaky sea salt for garnish
- Extra toffee sauce (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Butter a 9-inch round cake tin and line it with baking paper to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Set the prepared tin aside.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the plain flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and sea salt until well combined.
Set this dry mixture aside for later use.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and golden caster sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
This step is crucial for creating a soft and airy cake texture.
Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients
To the creamed butter and sugar, beat in the toffee sauce until well incorporated.
Then add the eggs one at a time, ensuring to beat well after each addition.
If the mixture shows signs of curdling, add a couple of tablespoons of the flour mixture to help stabilize it.
Step 5: Combine the Mixtures
Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet mixture in thirds, stirring gently yet thoroughly after each addition to ensure everything is well mixed and no lumps remain.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Spread the prepared batter evenly into the lined cake tin.
Sprinkle the flaked almonds over the top of the batter for added texture.
Place the cake tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 7: Add Toffee Sauce
While the cake is baking, gently warm the remaining toffee sauce.
Once the cake is out of the oven, use a toothpick to poke holes all over the top of the hot cake.
Carefully spoon the warm toffee sauce over the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes for extra flavor and moisture.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Let the cake cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy your indulgent cake, rich with toffee flavor and a delightful almond crunch!
THANK YOU for indicating all metric weights in Gramm! 👍
Thank you Lisa 🙂
Do you make your own toffee saus or buy ?
in the preamble it mentions you can use store bought or use carmel sauce