Top 10 flourless baking recipes
Running low on flour? You can still bake beautiful cakes, biscuits and brownies using simple substitutes such as polenta and ground almonds.
A lack of flour doesn't have to mean a baking dry spell. With a dose of creativity and a few ingredient swaps, you can recreate your favourite bakes without a problem. Our ten flourless recipes include gluten-free sponges, tempting tortes, biscuits and brownies – you may even discover some surprising new baking ingredients!
See our flourless cake and gluten-free baking recipe collections for more inspiration. We've also got plenty of information on the best flour substitutions.
1. Gluten-free lemon drizzle cake
What could be better than a slice of gluten-free lemon drizzle cake? This zingy bake makes use of an unusual ingredient – mashed potatoes! They add a lovely texture and moistness to the sponge, and give you a great excuse to bake every time you have leftover mash.
2. Flourless chocolate & pear cake
Bake our flourless chocolate & pear cake for an Easter treat. Swap flour for toasted ground hazelnuts, which have a deep, nutty flavour. Whipped egg whites make this chocolate dessert as light as air.
3. Peanut butter cookies
It only takes three ingredients to whip up these super simple peanut butter cookies – peanut butter, sugar and egg! A gluten-free storecupboard saviour the whole family will love.Check out more kids' baking recipes without flour.
4. Cherry blossom cake
This light and fruity cherry blossom sponge uses polenta and ground almonds in place of flour. Orange blossom drizzle and cherries in the sponge and icing transports you to summer with every bite.
5. Vegan millionaire's bars
Dreaming of a bake that's moreishly squidgy yet doesn't include dairy or flour? These gluten-free, vegan millionaire's bars are made with medjool dates, almond milk, cashews and maple syrup. They're irresistably rich and sticky.
6. Date, banana & rum loaf
Transport yourself to the tropics with our banana, date & rum loaf, packed full of juicy fruit and spices. We've substitued flour for fine polenta and added pecans for a beautiful crunchy texture – you'll be counting down the minutes to afternoon tea.
7. Chocolate, cardamom & hazelnut torte
Looking for something really indulgent? Our decadent chocolate, cardamom & hazelnut torte will deliver. Serve it with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream to round off a special dinner.
8. Amaretti muffins
Fancy a light bite? These gluten-free amaretti muffins use rice flour and ground almonds instead of plain flour. Italian flavours of espresso and amaretti biscuits make these a very special sweet treat.
9. Orange olive oil cake
Use a whole orange to make a deliciously moist citrus sponge. Look out for navel oranges, they’re naturally seedless and have a delicately balanced flavour. The cake is made with ground almonds and rich olive oil, then drizzled with a rosemary-laced syrup.
10. Chilli chocolate & black bean brownies
Beans may seem like an unusual swap for flour, but they work wonders in these chilli chocolate brownies. These fudgy squares are intensely chocolatey and have a subtle hint of chilli. Gluten-free, packed with protein, and perfect served warm as a dessert.
Discover more free-from baking ideas...
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The best flour substitutions
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Dairy-free cake recipes
Egg-free cake recipes
Our best vegan biscuits
Flourless cake recipes
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