Citrus Drizzle Cake (Grain-Free, Nut-Free)

This amazing summer cake is bursting with citrus flavours and a hint of honey. Made with coconut flour and cassava flour, this cake is tree nut-free, grain-free, and naturally gluten-free. Seriously, one of the best cakes I’ve made. Ever!

Citrus Summer Cake (Paleo, Gluten-free, Nut-Free, Grain-free)

Okay, guys, I may be bragging but this citrus summer cake is one of the best I’ve ever had. I knew I wanted to create a healthier, nut-free take on a lemon drizzle cake (many recipes use almond meal) and I wasn’t sure if the texture would work as well with coconut flour and cassava flour instead. The final result surprised even me! It was fluffy and moist, just like I wanted it to be.

The sponge is really easy to make and the secret to making it so light and angelic is the whipped egg whites that are added to the cake batter. As I was using fairly absorbent coconut flour in the cake, it was important to add enough fat to avoid dryness. I used softened butter but coconut oil or light olive oil will work just as well for a paleo, dairy-free version. 

 
Citrus Summer Cake (Paleo, Gluten-free, Nut-Free, Grain-free)

The cake will keep for close to a week, especially if you keep the leftovers in the fridge. It can be frozen too, although I wonder if it’s better to freeze the cooked sponge without the drizzle over it. Let me know if you try freezing it like ours didn’t last that long. 

Serve it slightly warm or cold, up to you. I like it with a side of coconut or Greek yoghurt on the side and lots of berries. You can also decorate it with coconut cream frosting for an even more impressive look. 

I hope you make it because it was spectacular and got all thumbs up as I served it to friends. Let me know in the comments.

Healthy Orange & Lemon Cake (Nut-Free, Grain-free, Paleo)
 

More Healthy Cakes & Desserts

Try my raspberry and peach clafoutis (great for breakfast!)

Delicious paleo apple cake

20 Fabulous Paleo Cheesecake Recipes 

5-Ingredient Low-Carb Chocolate Cake (Paleo, Nut-Free)

Healthy Self-Saucing Chocolate Pudding (Paleo, GF)

Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Caramel Tart

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Citrus summer cake (paleo, nut-free)

Citrus Drizzle Cake (Grain-Free, Nut-Free)

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Author: Irena Macri
Servings: 10
Course: Cake
Cuisine: Healthy
Print Pin Save
5 from 14 votes
Calories: 253kcal
Bring a little of summer into your kitchen with this incredibly moist and fluffy citrus drizzle cake. Serve with whipped coconut cream or yoghurt and seasonal berries

Ingredients 

  • 170 g butter 6 oz. softened or 1/3 cup coconut oil for dairy-free
  • 2 eggs whites only
  • 3 whole eggs + 1 extra yolk from the above egg
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • Zest of 1/2 orange
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 1/2 lime
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/3 cup cassava flour
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

For the citrus drizzle

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons honey

Garnish

  • ½ cup raspberries
  • ½ cup blackberries
  • 5 strawberries halved
  • A few slices of lime/orange/lemon for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180 C / 355 F. Line a springform cake tin with parchment/baking paper and grease it lightly with butter or coconut oil.
  • Soften the butter in a microwave or in the oven, it should be the consistency of thick cream. Set aside.
  • Separate the egg whites from the yolk and add to a clean, deep bowl with a tiny pinch of salt. Add one of the leftover yolks to another mixing bowl and reserve the second for breakfast.
  • Whisk the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form and set aside.
  • In another bowl, add three whole eggs, softened butter (or coconut oil for a dairy-free version), and the rest of the cake ingredients. Whisk together until well combined and fluffy.
  • In batches, fold the whipped egg whites into the cake mixture and stir gently to combine.
  • Transfer the mixture to the cake tin and cut off excess parchment paper if needed. Flatten the top and pop in the oven, middle shelf for 40 minutes at 180 C / 355 F.
  • Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Remove and transfer to a platter and cool for another 5-10 minutes.
  • Combine and whisk together the citrus drizzle ingredients. Use a pointy knife to poke a few small holes in the cake. Drizzle the citrus honey mixture all over the cake. Garnish with fruit and berries and serve with whipped coconut or regular cream or with unsweetened yoghurt of choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 534IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords: Gluten-Free, desserts, Cake, paleo cake, Grain-Free, Citrus Recipes, Lemon cake, Citrus cake, Summer Cake
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedandloved or tag #cookedandloved
 
Irena Macri
By Irena Macri

About the author: Hi, I’m Irena Macri. I share delicious recipes that I have cooked and loved. I am a published cookbook author, have been food blogging for over 10 years and have a Diploma in Nutrition. You will find many healthy recipes as well as my favourite comfort food. More about me here | Subscribe to my newsletter and freebies

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Comments

29 Comments
  1. Hi Irena,
    I am going to try the recipe for Citrus Drizzle cake but I don’t see the size of the pan to use. Thanks for the info. Lynn

  2. 5 stars
    This is the most gorgeous cake ever! I love citrus desserts so this is so perfect for summer get-togethers.

  3. 5 stars
    Love the citrus — Cannot wait to make this cake!
    Citrus Drizzle cake on the menu!

  4. 5 stars
    This came out perfectly for me, I loved the texture! My best friends son has a nut allergy so excited to make this for them this weekend when they come to stay!

  5. 5 stars
    Such beautiful photos! And I don’t know how you figured out the right egg ratio for this recipe, lol, but it looks perfect! Nice to have nut-free options in the Paleo dessert world!

  6. 5 stars
    I love how simple to make this is & how you can taste all 3 of the citrus fruits in the cake. Gorgeous!

  7. 5 stars
    Thank you for the dairy-free option!! I have all of these ingredients, so I’m going to try out this recipe ASAP.

  8. Thanks Irena for another incredible recipe.
    is there a substitute for cassava flour please?
    Thank you
    Julie

    1. Hey Julie, you could use tapioca/arrowroot or any other gluten-free flour like rice or quinoa flour.

  9. Hi Irena, just a question about the Cassava Flour, in this recipe can you use tapioca flour or does it need to be cassava flour? Thanks

  10. Hi, 170g butter is not the same as half a stick of butter, considering 1 whole stick is 113g. Can you please clarify exactly how much butter this recipe requires?
    Thanks

    1. A stick of butter is most likely different in the US to say UK or Australia, that’s why I included the weight in grams and ounces, so please use those measurements 170 g or 6 oz. Hope that helps, Irena

  11. Can you use almond flour instead of cassava? Just checking as it’s all I’ve got in the pantry!

  12. Hi, I can’t seem to find Cassava flour anywhere in Sydney Australia. Is there a substitute I can use? Thanks Angela

    1. Tapioca flour or starch can be used instead. You can also use some gluten-free flour or quinoa flour if those are tolerated.

  13. This looks really yummy! Could I substitute almond meal flour for the other two flours? I don’t want to buy any more flours if i’m not likely to use them again.

  14. 5 stars
    Hi Irena,
    I made this cake 🍰 last Christmas and it was an absolute success! Plea eating equally the eyes and taste buds, adults and children alike.

    I am a big fan of yours, and honestly the only person I follow, food and over wise. I bought your book “Eat, drink, paleo” way back then and still use it a lot on top of your website.

    Your sponge cake lamingtons recipe inspired me and I use it as a gluten free base for tiramisu… it’s brilliant.

    Thank you for your creative work, best wishes to you and your young family.

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