Fig Cake with Almond and Honey

fig cake with almond and honey
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This fig cake with almond and honey combines fresh figs, nutty almond flour, and golden honey in one stunning dessert that tastes like sunshine.

What Makes This Fig Cake Special?

This fig cake with almond and honey brings together tender almond flour, fragrant cinnamon, Greek yogurt tang, and jewel-like fresh figs crowned with crunchy sliced almonds and a honey drizzleโ€”creating a moist, not-too-sweet Mediterranean-style cake with golden edges and a soft, nutty crumb.

I stumbled onto this recipe during fig season when my neighborโ€™s tree was practically begging someone to harvest it. Thereโ€™s something magical about fresh figs baked into cakeโ€”they get jammy and sweet, their skins turn burnished, and the whole kitchen smells like a sun-drenched orchard.

This honey fig almond cake sits somewhere between rustic and elegant. Itโ€™s fancy enough for weekend brunch with friends but simple enough that Iโ€™ve made it on a Tuesday night just because.

Love Mediterranean-inspired cakes? Ourย lemon olive oil and rosemary cakeย combines citrus brightness with fragrant herbs and the same moist, tender crumbโ€”another elegant, simple treat.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Almond Fig Honey Cake Recipe

almond fig honey cake recipe

This fresh fig almond cake is ridiculously easy. You donโ€™t need a mixerโ€”just two bowls, a whisk, and a spatula. The batter comes together in about ten minutes, which means more time for the important stuff (like licking the spatula).

The texture is wonderfully moist without being heavy. Almond flour keeps things tender and adds this lovely nutty backdrop, while Greek yogurt and olive oil create a crumb that stays soft for days. Seriously, this cake tastes even better on day two.

Itโ€™s naturally less sweet than most cakes. I use honey as the only sweetener, which gives you floral sweetness without that sugar crash. You can always add more honey when serving if youโ€™ve got a serious sweet tooth.

Fresh figs are the star here, and they deserve it. When fresh fig almond cake baked, figs transform into these gorgeous jammy pockets of flavor. According to King Arthur Baking, stone fruits and figs caramelize beautifully during baking as their natural sugars concentrate.

It works for so many occasions. Iโ€™ve served this at breakfast with coffee, as an afternoon snack with tea, and as dessert with vanilla ice cream. Itโ€™s that versatile friend who fits in everywhere.

The first time I made this, I worried the olive oil would taste too savory, but it completely disappears into the background, just adding richness. Trust the process!

fig cake with almond and honey

Fig Cake with Almond and Honey

This fig cake with almond and honey brings together tender almond flour, fragrant cinnamon, Greek yogurt tang, and jewel-like fresh figs crowned with crunchy sliced almonds and a honey drizzleโ€”creating a moist, not-too-sweet Mediterranean-style cake with golden edges and a soft, nutty crumb.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 12 servings
Calories 215 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
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For the Cake

  • 1 cup almond flour 100g, finely ground blanched
  • ยฝ cup all-purpose flour 60g, standard or gluten free
  • ยฝ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ยผ teaspoon baking soda
  • ยผ teaspoon kosher salt
  • โ…“ cup Greek yogurt plus more for serving
  • โ…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ยฝ cup honey plus more for serving
  • 2 large eggs

For the Topping

  • 8 whole fresh figs quartered, plus more for serving
  • ยผ cup sliced almonds
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar optional

Instructions
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  • Position a rack in the center of your oven and heat it to 350ยฐF. Lightly oil your 9-inch tart pan or cake pan, then line the bottom with a parchment round. This double insurance means your cake will slide right out later.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Use your whisk to really break up any stubborn almond flour clumpsโ€”they happen, no judgment.
  • In your large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, honey, and eggs until everything looks unified and slightly creamy. The yogurt might resist at first, but keep whisking and itโ€™ll come together beautifully.
  • Pour the flour mixture into the yogurt mixture and fold everything together with your spatula. Use a gentle touch hereโ€”mix just until you donโ€™t see any flour streaks. Overmixing develops gluten and creates a tough, dense cake instead of the tender crumb weโ€™re after.
  • Scrape the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with your spatula. Quarter your figs and arrange them cut-side up over the batter, pressing them in slightly so they nestle into the cake. Scatter the sliced almonds over everything and finish with a sprinkle of sugar if youโ€™re using it.
  • Place your tart pan on a baking sheet (catches any drips) and slide it into the oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutesโ€”youโ€™ll know itโ€™s done when a wooden skewer poked into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and the edges will pull away from the pan slightly.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack. Patience here is hard but importantโ€”warm cake can fall apart. Once cool, if you used a removable-bottom tart pan, push up from the bottom and slide the cake onto a plate. For a regular pan, run a butter knife around the edge first, then carefully transfer.
  • Slice your cake and serve it with extra fig quarters, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a generous drizzle of honey. Room temperature is when the flavors really sing.

Notes

Pro Tips: Bring eggs and yogurt to room temperature before mixing for better emulsification. Donโ€™t skip breaking up almond flour clumps. Choose ripe but firm figs that give slightly when pressed. Use a light hand when folding the batterโ€”stop while you still see a few flour streaks. The cake tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Donโ€™t refrigerate unless your kitchen is very warm. Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.
Variations: Make it gluten-free with a 1:1 baking blend. Try plums, apricots, or raspberries when figs arenโ€™t in season. Add citrus zest for brightness. Use coconut yogurt for dairy-free version. Toast the almonds before sprinkling for extra nuttiness.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 5gFat: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 17g
Keyword almond fig honey cake recipe, fig cake with almond and honey, fresh fig almond cake, honey fig almond cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Nutrient Amount
Calories 215
Protein 5g
Carbohydrates 26g
Fat 11g
Fiber 2g
Sugar 17g

Based on 12 servings

What Youโ€™ll Need for This Honey Fig Almond Cake

honey fig almond cake

Getting your ingredients together before you start makes everything smoother. This almond fig honey cake recipe relies on simple, quality ingredients that really shine through.

Amount Ingredient Notes
1 cup (100g) Almond flour Use finely ground blanched almond flour for the best texture
1/2 cup (60g) All-purpose flour Standard or gluten-free works beautifully
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon Fresh spice makes a difference here!
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda This helps the cake rise gently
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt Balances all that honey sweetness
1/3 cup Greek yogurt Full-fat gives the richest result, plus extra for serving
1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil Choose something mild and fruity
1/2 cup Honey I love using local wildflower honey, plus more for drizzling
2 large Eggs Room temperature blends in easier
8 whole Fresh figs Look for figs that give slightly when pressed, plus extras for serving
1/4 cup Sliced almonds These get toasty and crunchy on top
1 tablespoon Granulated sugar Optional, but adds a nice sparkle

Essential Equipment

You probably have everything you need already:

  • 9-inch fluted tart pan or round cake pan โ€“ The fluted edges look gorgeous but a regular pan works perfectly
  • Parchment paper โ€“ Makes removing the cake so much easier
  • Medium and large mixing bowls โ€“ One for dry, one for wet ingredients
  • Whisk and silicone spatula โ€“ All the mixing tools you need
  • Baking sheet โ€“ To catch any drips in the oven
  • Wire cooling rack โ€“ For proper cooling

Nice to have but optional:

  • Tart pan with removable bottom for easy serving
  • Kitchen scale for precise measuring

How to Make This Fig Cake with Almond and Honey

This fig cake with almond and honey comes together quickly with just a few simple steps. The key is gentle folding so you donโ€™t overwork the batter.

1. Get your oven and pan ready. Position a rack in the center of your oven and heat it to 350ยฐF. Lightly oil your 9-inch tart pan or cake pan, then line the bottom with a parchment round. This double insurance means your cake will slide right out later.

2. Whisk together all the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Use your whisk to really break up any stubborn almond flour clumpsโ€”they happen, no judgment.

3. Blend the wet ingredients until smooth. In your large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, honey, and eggs until everything looks unified and slightly creamy. The yogurt might resist at first, but keep whisking and itโ€™ll come together beautifully.

4. Combine wet and dry gently. Pour the flour mixture into the yogurt mixture and fold everything together with your spatula. Use a gentle touch hereโ€”mix just until you donโ€™t see any flour streaks.

Overmixing develops gluten and creates a tough, dense cake instead of the tender crumb weโ€™re after. According to Serious Eats, proper folding technique preserves the delicate structure created by gentle mixing.

5. Transfer batter and arrange the figs. Scrape the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with your spatula. Quarter your figs and arrange them cut-side up over the batter, pressing them in slightly so they nestle into the cake. Scatter the sliced almonds over everything and finish with a sprinkle of sugar if youโ€™re using it.

6. Bake until golden and set. Place your tart pan on a baking sheet (catches any drips) and slide it into the oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutesโ€”youโ€™ll know itโ€™s done when a wooden skewer poked into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and the edges will pull away from the pan slightly.

7. Cool completely before serving. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack. Patience here is hard but importantโ€”warm cake can fall apart. Once cool, if you used a removable-bottom tart pan, push up from the bottom and slide the cake onto a plate. For a regular pan, run a butter knife around the edge first, then carefully transfer.

8. Serve at room temperature with extras. Slice your cake and serve it with extra fig quarters, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a generous drizzle of honey. Room temperature is when the flavors really sing.

fresh fig almond cake RECIPE

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Bring eggs and yogurt to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients donโ€™t blend as smoothly and can create a less uniform batter. I set mine on the counter for about 30 minutes before I start.

Room-temperature ingredients emulsify better, creating a stable batterโ€”according to Americaโ€™s Test Kitchen, a temperature difference greater than 10ยฐC between fats and liquids can cause batters to break and result in grainy texture.

Donโ€™t skip breaking up the almond flour clumps. Almond flour naturally clumps because of its fat content. Those little lumps wonโ€™t disappear during mixing, so whisk them out at the dry ingredient stage.

Choose ripe but firm figs. Overripe figs turn to mush when baked. You want figs that give slightly when pressed but still hold their shape. Black Mission and Brown Turkey figs both work wonderfully here.

Use a light hand when folding the batter. Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, fold just until combined. You should still see a few small flour streaksโ€”theyโ€™ll disappear during baking. Overmixing activates gluten proteins and creates a tough, chewy texture instead of a tender crumb.

The cake is better the next day. The flavors meld and deepen overnight. Store it covered at room temperature and the texture actually improves as the honey keeps everything moist.

What If Things Go Wrong?

Why is my cake dense and heavy? You probably overmixed the batter once the flour went in. Next time, fold just until you barely see flour streaksโ€”theyโ€™ll bake out. Also make sure your baking soda is fresh (test it by adding a pinch to vinegar; it should fizz immediately).

My figs sank to the bottom. What happened? The batter might have been too thin, or your figs were too heavy with juice. Try patting the fig quarters dry with paper towels before arranging them, and press them just slightly into the batter rather than deeply.

The top is browning too fast but the center isnโ€™t done. Tent a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the top and continue baking. Your oven might run hotโ€”consider getting an oven thermometer to check the actual temperature.

Can I make this if my almond flour is expired? Taste it first. Almond flour contains oils that can go rancid. If it smells or tastes bitter or off, toss it and get fresh. Rancid nuts will ruin your whole cake.

Delicious Variations to Try

Make it gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. Iโ€™ve tested this with Bobโ€™s Red Mill and it works beautifully.

Try different fruits: When figs arenโ€™t in season, quartered plums, halved apricots, or fresh raspberries are gorgeous substitutes. Pears would be lovely too, especially with a pinch of cardamom added to the batter.

Add citrus brightness: Fold in a tablespoon of lemon or orange zest with the dry ingredients. The citrus lifts all the other flavors and adds another layer of complexity.

Make it dairy-free: Use coconut yogurt instead of Greek yogurt. The texture stays beautifully moist and you get a subtle tropical note.

Boost the nuttiness: Toast the sliced almonds before sprinkling them on top, or add chopped pistachios for a stunning green contrast against the purple figs.

For another stunning olive oil cake with fruit, try ourย blood orange and olive oil cakeโ€”bright citrus flavor with jewel-toned beauty and the same tender, moist texture.

How to Serve, Store, and Reheat

fresh fig almond cake

Serving this fresh fig almond cake: This cake shines at room temperature when the flavors are most pronounced. I love serving it for brunch with strong coffee, or as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or mascarpone. The yogurt and honey drizzle arenโ€™t optional in my bookโ€”they complete the experience.

Storage tips: Cover the cake with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The honey acts as a natural preservative, keeping everything moist. Donโ€™t refrigerate unless your kitchen is very warmโ€”cold temperatures make the texture grainy.

Freezing and reheating: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or for an hour at room temperature. You can warm slices gently in a 300ยฐF oven for 5 minutes if you prefer it slightly warm.

Zero-Waste Kitchen Ideas

Save those fig stems and trimmings. Simmer them in water with a cinnamon stick and honey to make a lovely fig-infused syrup for cocktails or drizzling over ice cream.

Leftover almond flour? Store it in an airtight container in the freezer where itโ€™ll keep fresh for months. The oils in almond flour go rancid at room temperature, so freezing protects your investment.

Turn stale cake into something new. Cube any leftover cake and toast the pieces in butter for a spectacular ice cream topping, or blend them into crumbs for a dessert base.

Extra figs? Roast them with honey and balsamic vinegar for a savory-sweet topping for goat cheese crostini, or simmer them into a quick jam.

Your Questions About Fig Cake with Almond and Honey

Can I make this fig cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake actually tastes better the day after baking as the flavors develop. Make it up to 2 days ahead, store covered at room temperature, and add the fresh yogurt and honey drizzle just before serving.

Whatโ€™s the best substitute for almond flour in this recipe?

You can use hazelnut flour for a different but equally delicious nutty flavor. All-purpose flour works too, though youโ€™ll lose some of the moisture and richness that almond flour provides. Use 3/4 cup all-purpose flour total if skipping the almond flour entirely.

Can I freeze this honey fig almond cake?

Yes! Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator still wrapped, then bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Can I use dried figs instead of fresh figs?

Fresh figs are really what makes this cake special, but in a pinch, you can soak dried figs in warm water for 20 minutes, drain and pat dry, then use them. The texture wonโ€™t be quite as jammy and youโ€™ll miss that gorgeous fresh fig color.

What can I use instead of Greek yogurt?

Sour cream works beautifully and adds a similar tang. Plain whole-milk yogurt is fine too, though itโ€™s thinner so drain off any excess liquid first. For dairy-free, coconut yogurt is your best option.

How do I know when figs are ripe enough for baking?

Ripe figs should give slightly when gently pressed and feel heavy for their size. The skin might have small cracks and they should smell sweet and fragrant. Avoid rock-hard figs or ones that are mushy and leaking juice.

Celebrate This Beautiful Cake

Thereโ€™s something so satisfying about pulling a golden, fig-studded cake from the oven and knowing you created something this beautiful with your own hands.

This fig cake with almond and honey is the kind of recipe that becomes a favoriteโ€”the one you make when figs are in season, when you want to impress without stressing, or when you just need something sweet and wholesome in your life.

Iโ€™d love to hear how your cake turns out! Drop a comment below with your favorite way to serve it, and tag your photos so I can see your gorgeous creations.

Baked with love by Rebeccah Ellene

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