Description
Tarta de Santiago is a traditional Spanish almond cake from Galicia, known for its rich, moist texture and subtle flavors of citrus and cinnamon. Naturally gluten-free, it’s topped with powdered sugar in the shape of the Cross of Saint James for an iconic finish.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups (250g) finely ground almonds (almond flour)
5 large eggs
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 orange (optional)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Butter, for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan with butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until light and slightly frothy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon zest, orange zest (if using), and cinnamon until well combined.
- Gently fold in the ground almonds, mixing just until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
- Remove the cake and place it on a serving plate.
- Lay a stencil of the Cross of Saint James on top and dust generously with powdered sugar. Lift the stencil to reveal the design.
- Serve at room temperature, optionally with coffee or dessert wine.
Notes
Can be made a day in advance — flavors deepen overnight.
Use only lemon zest for a more traditional flavor.
Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Freezes well — wrap individual slices and thaw before serving.
Almond meal can be used, but will result in a coarser texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
