Southeast AsianEasy · Warm
A tender, aromatic cake where the warmth of freshly cracked black pepper meets bright lime zest and juice, all held together by nutty almond flour. The result is a sophisticated dessert with an intriguing sweet-savory balance.
15 min
32 min
47 min
Method
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides with a little butter.
In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, baking powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or whisk, beat eggs, softened butter, white sugar, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly frothy, about 2 minutes.
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix — a few small lumps are fine.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 28-32 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, with a dusting of powdered sugar if you like.
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 10
Calories
480
per serving
Protein
15g
Carbs
27g
Fat
38g
Sat. fat
8g
Fiber
8g
Sugar
15g
Sodium
199mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Moderate impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.2
per serving
Water
0.9m³
Land
17Pt
Runoff
0.04g P
Eggs drives 45% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Safety & Storage
Allergen Warning
This cake contains almond flour (tree nuts), eggs, and butter (milk). Users with tree nut, egg, or dairy allergies should avoid this recipe. Ensure all equipment and surfaces are thoroughly cleaned if preparing for individuals with these allergies.
Cross Contamination
Use separate mixing bowls, utensils, and cutting boards for allergen-free preparations. Avoid using the same spatula for allergen-free items after contact with almond flour, eggs, or butter.
Handling
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw eggs. Do not taste the batter due to the presence of raw eggs, which may contain Salmonella bacteria.
Cooking Temperature
Bake the cake at 175°C (350°F) for 28-32 minutes until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 74°C (165°F) for food safety.
Storage
Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cake contains perishable ingredients (eggs, butter) and should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
High Risk Population
Due to the use of raw eggs and dairy, this cake should be avoided or prepared with pasteurized ingredients for young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons.
Pro Tips
Technique
Always crack your black pepper fresh — the moment you grind those peppercorns, their aromatic oils wake up and become the soul of this cake. A mortar and pestle gives you uneven, beautiful pieces; a pepper mill works too, but resist the pre-ground dust.
Substitution
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Storage
This cake keeps beautifully at room temperature for two days, wrapped gently in parchment. The almond flour keeps it moist, and the flavors actually deepen overnight — if you can resist eating it immediately.
From the chef
Black pepper in a dessert cake sounds like a provocation until you taste how the cracked heat plays against bright lime zest in a tender almond flour crumb. The pepper is not a garnish here — it goes into the batter and asserts itself, warm and floral in a way that makes the citrus sharper and the sweetness more interesting. Almond flour keeps the texture moist and nutty, closer to a torte than a standard cake. The balance of sweet, savory, and acidic in every bite is what makes this worth baking over something more familiar.
Source: generated · June 12, 2026