Olive oil cake

Moist and flavorful, this olive oil cake recipe can be easily made at home with simple ingredients and minimum equipment. This is a perfect cake to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.

Why you should try a cake with olive oil

• Extremely moist cake. A cake made with olive oil offers an unparalleled level of moistness that's hard to achieve with other fats.
• It’s easy to make. Just like with my Chocolate pound cake, this olive oil cake recipe proves that exceptional desserts don’t have to be complicated. 
• It’s versatile. This cake serves as a fantastic canvas for a variety of flavors. Whether you choose to infuse it with citrus zest or add a touch of warm spices.

Which olive oil to choose

Any type of olive oil will work in this cake recipe. The most important thing is to use olive oil whose taste you really like. Think of it this way: if you wouldn't use this oil as your salad dressing, you might not like it in your cake.

For those who are not sure about the flavor of olive oil, try using mild olive oil or even extra mild. This way, you will get a very moist cake with a neutral flavor.

Ingredients you will need

• Flour – You can use either all-purpose flour or cake flour for a more tender texture.
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Granulated white sugar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Whole milk

Cooking tips

• Bring all ingredients to room temperature. This helps them mix better and creates a smoother cake batter.
• Don’t overmix the cake batter. Same with any cake recipe, you want to mix the cake butter just until all dry ingredients disappear, and the mixture has no flour lumps. Mixing further will affect the cake’s texture, making it dense and rubbery.
• Check for doneness with a toothpick. To ensure your cake is fully baked, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with only a few crumbs, it's cooked just right. This helps you avoid undercooking or overcooking your cake.

How to make the olive oil cake

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Line the bottom and the sides of an 8” (20cm) springform pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, add the egg, vanilla extract, and sugar. Whisk until pale yellow and well combined.
4. Add the olive oil and mix to combine.
5. Add the milk and mix to combine.
6. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until no dry ingredients remain, and the batter has a homogeneous consistency.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.
8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to cool further.

Possible flavor variations

• Lemon olive oil cake – To infuse your olive oil cake with a zesty and refreshing flavor, add freshly grated lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice to the batter. 
• Nuts – Add some chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans into the cake batter before baking.
• Fresh or frozen berries – Gently fold in fresh or frozen berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.

How to serve this cake

• Powdered sugar – A classic and simple way to finish your cake is by dusting it with a generous layer of powdered sugar.
• Sugar glaze – Create a glossy and sweet glaze by combining powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or citrus juice. Drizzle it over the cooled cake for a shiny and slightly tangy enhancement.
• Ganache – Elevate your olive oil cake by covering it with a rich and velvety Chocolate ganache.
• Sauce – For an extra layer of flavor, consider serving your cake with a complementary sauce. Options include Raspberry coulis, Salted caramel, Butterscotch sauce, or Lemon curd. These sauces can be poured over individual slices when serving.

FAQ

More cake recipes you may like

Strawberry pound cake

Chocolate Bundt cake

Lemon curd cake

Recipe card

Olive oil cake

Moist and flavorful, this olive oil cake recipe can be easily made at home with simple ingredients and minimum equipment. This is a perfect cake to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 pieces

Calories: 220kcal

Author: Anna

Equipment

• Digital kitchen scale
• 2 Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• 8" (20cm) springform pan
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

• 250 g all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 130 g granulated white sugar
• 70 ml olive oil
• 240 ml whole milk at room temperature
• Powdered sugar for dusting

MetricUS Customary

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Line the bottom and the sides of an 8” (20cm) springform pan with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In another bowl, add the egg, vanilla extract, and sugar. Whisk until pale yellow and well combined.
• Add the olive oil and mix to combine.
• Add the milk and mix to combine.
• Add the dry ingredients and mix just until no dry ingredients remain, and the batter has a homogeneous consistency.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to cool further.
• Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Video

Notes

Store it in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Freeze the cake for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Olive oil cake

Serving Size

 

1 piece

Amount per Serving

Calories

220

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

8

g

12

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

13

%

Trans Fat

 

0.002

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

5

g

Cholesterol

 

19

mg

6

%

Sodium

 

334

mg

15

%

Potassium

 

71

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

 

33

g

11

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

14

g

16

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

64

IU

1

%

Calcium

 

84

mg

8

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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