Lemon Olive Oil Cake

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This lemon olive oil cake is a wonderfully moist and flavorful cake that is perfect for any occasion! Made with olive oil and lemon juice, this cake is incredibly easy to make and can be served either plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar. Delicious on its own or paired with fresh fruit, this is sure to please everyone!

round lemon olive oil cake topped with sliced lemons

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Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make a Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Frequently Asked Questions
More Cake Recipes
📖 Recipe

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

If you've never had an olive oil cake, this is the perfect recipe to start. A lemon olive oil cake is a great choice for anyone who loves to bake. Not only is it rich and moist, but it has that bright lemon flavor that makes it even better.

This cake is perfect for any occasion, whether you are looking for a dessert for a special event or just want to enjoy a delicious treat. It’s also a great way to show your friends and family how much you care about them by baking them this amazing cake.

If you like the lemon dessert flavor, you might also love our lemon meringue pie cupcakes or even these glazed lemon butter cookies instead. Both are bright and refreshing with easy-to-follow directions.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups extra virgin olive oil (360ml)
3 large eggs
1 ¼ cups + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (275g)
1 ¼ cups whole milk (300ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10ml)
2 lemons
2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
½ teaspoon baking powder (2.5g)
½ teaspoon baking soda (2.5g)
1 teaspoon salt (6g)

Optional topping: powdered sugar

rosemary sprig on black plate by lemon cake slice

Handy Kitchen Tools

When making a dessert like this, I like to plan ahead and measure out all of my ingredients so it's just a matter of dumping them into the bowl as needed. In this instance, I would also recommend taking time to zest the lemons and squeeze them. While you can use bottled lemon juice, it is best to use fresh so you can also add the pop of flavor from the zest on the lemon.

white cake stand holding lemon cake in front of black background

How to Make a Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Video Recipe

Preheat the oven to 340°F/170°C and line an 11" round pan with parchment paper then set it aside. You can also use a bit of cake release, or grease with butter and a dusting of flour.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, olive oil, and sugar together until they are smooth and the sugar has mostly dissolved.

sugar being whisked into white bowl of cake batter

Then you will add in the remaining liquid ingredients: milk, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk this to combine and set it aside.

lemon juice being added to large white bowl of batter

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Sift for a smoother finish to the cake.

Now, you will begin slowly stirring the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Once all have been included, continue mixing for around 2 minutes or until no more lumps remain.

Now, pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

powdered sugar dusting on top of lemon cake

I also like to top it with a bit of lemon zest or a lemon wedge on the side.

spoon of cake being held above black plate with slice of cake

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Olive Oil Do To A Cake?

Olive oil is a healthy alternative to other oils, such as vegetable oil. It adds a delicious flavor to the cake and helps to keep it moist. The olive oil also gives the cake a lovely texture. It creates a light and fluffy cake that is perfect for any occasion.

What Makes Cake Super Moist?

There are a few things that you can do to make sure that your cake is super moist. The main thing to consider is making sure you have the right balance of fats in the batter. A second consideration is not overbaking the cake.

For this particular cake, one of the most important things is to use fresh lemon juice. This will add a lot of moisture to the cake and keep it from drying out.

Do I Need to Refrigerate Lemon Cake?

The lemon cake does not need to be refrigerated. Make sure to keep it covered well when you store it or else it will get dry and stale before it typically would. I love using a cake cover so that it is covered and stored well. While you do not need to refrigerate the cake, you can freeze it. This will keep the cake fresh for longer. Wrap the cake well in plastic wrap. I love to cut it down to individual servings so I can have a piece of cake whenever I want it, instead of taking the entire cake out.

How Long is Homemade Olive Oil Cake Good For?

The homemade olive oil cake will stay good for up to a week when it is stored at room temperature and covered well. The cake will taste stale sooner when it is stored in the refrigerator.

The cake will last for up to 6 months when it is stored in the freezer. Make sure it is wrapped well or else it will become freezer burned.

whole olive oil lemon cake on cake stand

More Cake Recipes

Looking for more ideas for dessert? Let our cake recipes be the next hit at your dessert table! Below are a few of my personal favorite cakes that are delicious and easy to make. Take a moment to check out these cake ideas and bookmark your favorites. You can also print out the recipe or pin them to Pinterest so they are handy when you are ready to bake!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 10

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Indulge in the bright and zesty flavors of this easy lemon olive oil cake. Moist and rich, it's a simple yet satisfying dessert that's perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

1 ½ cups extra virgin olive oil (360ml)
3 large eggs
1 ¼ cups + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (275g)
1 ¼ cups whole milk (300ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10ml)
2 lemons
2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
½ teaspoon baking powder (2.5g)
½ teaspoon baking soda (2.5g)
1 teaspoon salt (6g)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 340°F/170°C, line an 11" round pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
Now, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, and sugar in a medium bowl until they are smooth and the sugar is mostly dissolved.
Next, add the milk, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Whisk this together until it is combined and a nice light yellow. est, and lemon juice. Whisk this to combine well.
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Then begin slowly stirring it into the liquids. Once all have been included, continue mixing for around 2 minutes or until no more lumps remain.
Now, pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.