Light & reminiscent of Spring, these macaroon-like squares are not excessively sweet but melt in your mouth and are gluten-free. I’ve adapted this recipe from the one on the package of Bob’s Red Mill “Finely Ground Almond Meal/Flour” which is made from skinless, blanched almonds. Be sure to look for this product rather than “Finely Ground Natural Almond Meal” which is made from whole almonds and has flecks of skin visible. You’ll have a prettier result!
COCONUT ALMOND MACAROON CAKE
Preheat oven to 350 and line an 8X8 baking pan with foil. Cream the butter & sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating until fluffy. Add almond milk & extracts. Add salt, baking powder, coconut flour & almond flour. Mix until well combined, then add flaked coconut & pineapple and mix briefly. Spread evenly into pan and top with sliced almonds. Bake 30 minutes until slightly browned. Cool and cut into 16 squares.
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup almond milk or coconut cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup organic coconut flour
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh pineapple
- 1/8 cup sliced almonds
If you like to experiment, it might be nice to try this with orange extract, just to vary the flavor a bit. The original recipe called for milk instead of almond milk, no flaked coconut, no pineapple,and no toppings. Also, I have tried cutting the butter down to 4T with success. So – depending on what is on hand in your pantry – go for i!
For something more decadent, add a cream cheese frosting such as this one: 1 stick softened butter, 2 oz cream cheese, 1/2 tsp vanilla & 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar. After icing the cake, top with flaked coconut and sliced almonds.
Serve with a light afternoon tea like jasmine green tea and maybe a bowl of fresh berries or yogurt. My gluten-free guests love it. Bon Appetit!!
A recipe from Donna Alley, Innkeeper Since 1984
Colonial Pines Inn Bed & Breakfast
Highlands, North Carolina (828) 526-2060
Sweets & Treats from Colonial Pines Inn 
That looks so wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I love using almond meal in baked goods and your version looks like a GREAT way to use it! Do you think I can replace the butter with coconut oil? Also, I love your photography and blog name 🙂 Looking forward to more posts like this in the future!