Description
Mediterranean-inspired lemon olive oil cake delivers a delightful balance of citrusy brightness and rich, silky texture. Bakers seeking a simple yet elegant dessert will appreciate this light, aromatic treat that showcases classic Italian and Greek culinary influences.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (340 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) lemon juice
- Zest from 3 lemons
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar (for sprinkling the top)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prep Workspace: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9-inch springform pan with foil, creating a protective barrier against potential leaks.
- Pan Preparation: Coat pan interior with parchment paper, ensuring thorough greasing to facilitate seamless cake extraction after baking.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Whip extra virgin olive oil, eggs, and sugar together until achieving a creamy, uniform texture that forms the cake’s foundational moisture and sweetness.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Integrate vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice, gently blending to distribute vibrant citrus and fragrant notes throughout the mixture.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour, creating a lightweight, aerated dry component that will provide structure to the cake.
- Batter Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with milk, using minimal strokes to preserve the cake’s tender consistency and prevent gluten development.
- Baking Stage: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface and sprinkling additional sugar across the top to create a caramelized, golden crust during baking.
- Oven Transformation: Bake for 50-55 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and testing doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center, which should emerge clean.
- Cooling and Finishing: Rest cake in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and complete the presentation by dusting with powdered sugar for an elegant, refined appearance.
Notes
- Prevent Leakage Smartly: Wrap the springform pan’s exterior with foil to block any potential batter seepage during baking.
- Master Mixing Technique: Whisk wet ingredients vigorously until smooth and fully integrated, ensuring a consistent cake texture.
- Check Cake Doneness Precisely: Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the cake’s center; a clean exit means perfect baking.
- Sugar Topping Trick: Sprinkle extra granulated sugar on top before baking to create a delightful caramelized golden crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 46 g
- Sodium: 209 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg