This Meyer lemon olive oil cake is fragrant, delicious, and bright yellow like the Greek sun. With lemon juice and zest, delicate extra virgin olive oil, and a hint of vanilla, served with whipped cream and berries it is an easy to make, yet beautiful and sophisticated dessert.
Looking for more dessert ideas? Don’t miss this easy apple pie with puff pastry. And this beautiful strawberry tart with mascarpone cream has a buttery shortbread crust.
Why this recipe sings
This is the best lemon olive oil cake recipe I’ve ever made. It never disappoints. The amount of lemon is just right and it’s moist and light.
It is a golden sunny yellow inside with a crusty top and smells heavenly!
It's lemony, bright, and fragrant. It is not chiffon or an airy type of cake. It is dense, very moist, and will remind you more of a cheesecake.
Here is what you need
- Extra virgin olive oil. Choose a good quality olive oil. My general rule is to always pick extra virgin olive oil, never a blend no matter how tempting the price might be. Additionally for this recipe I go for a premium olive oil best enjoyed raw over vegetables, fish, etc. like this Greek PJ KABOS. I usually drizzle a delicate olive oil like this over leafy fruity salads.
- Eggs. The eggs should be at room temperature. They will emulsify with the olive oil very nicely when whisked together.
- Meyer lemons. These lemons are a touch sweeter than regular lemons and have plebty of juice and zest. You can also use regular lemons.
- Vanilla bean pod. You can also use vanilla extract.
- Granulated sugar.
- All-purpose flour. I always get unbleached and organic all purpose flour.
- Whole milk. You can substitute with cashew or almond milk.
- Sea salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- Powdered sugar. To sprinkle all over after baking.
For serving you need:
Whipped cream and berries like strawberries and blueberries. You can substitute the whipped cream with whipped mascarpone cheese. (Check recipe card notes for details).
Step by step
Preheat oven to 350°.
Zest and juice four medium lemons.
Make a well in the center of the flour.
Wait for cake to cool completely before unmolding. Sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar. Slice and serve with whipped cream, fresh berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, and halved (or quartered, if large) strawberries.
Sunny Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake
This Meyer lemon olive oil cake is fragrant, delicious, and bright yellow like the Greek sun. With Meyer lemon juice and zest, delicate extra virgin olive oil, and a hint of vanilla, it is dense, very moist, and will remind you of a cheesecake.
Equipment
- 11" diameter springform pan
- Citrus Juicer
- Microplane Grater
- Parchment paper
- Rimmed baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil look for premium extra virgin olive oil, best used raw for salads etc
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1¼ cups whole milk
- 4 Meyer lemons medium size
- 1 vanilla bean pod
- 1¼ cups + 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 250 gr + 2 teaspoons
- 2 cups organic all-purpose flour 250 gr
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar to sprinkle after baking
For serving
- whipped cream
- fresh strawberries
- fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Zest and juice four medium lemons. Brush a little olive oil all over the pan. Next, line the bottom with a round parchment paper and brush the parchment with oil.
- Whisk eggs, 1 cup of oil, and 1¼ cups sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla bean pod seeds, and the zest and juice of the lemons. Whisk to combine.
- Whisk the flour, sea salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and gradually pour the egg mixture into it. Slowly whisk with circular motions to incorporate egg mixture and flour until it is is mostly smooth (it is ok to have some lumps). Pour the cake mixture into the pan. Smooth the surface and sprinkle the remaining two teaspoons of sugar on top.
- Bake cake until top is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes. Every oven is different so check often and bake a little longer if needed. Cover top with aluminum foil if it is browning too soon.Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool before unmolding.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar.Slice and serve with whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries.
Notes
Pay attention to the egg temperature. Let the eggs reach room temperature. They will emulsify with the olive oil very nicely when whisked together.
Choose a good quality olive oil. When shopping, always pick extra virgin. For this recipe, go for a premium mild-tasting extra virgin olive oil best enjoyed raw over vegetables, fish, etc.
If you are using an everyday cooking extra virgin olive oil, reduce the amount to ½ of a cup plus ½ cup vegetable oil.
Make ahead: Cake can be baked three days ahead and stored tightly wrapped at room temperature.
SUBSTITUTIONS
You can substitute the whipped cream with whipped mascarpone cheese. Whisk 2 cups heavy cream until thick and silky. Add 8 ounces of mascarpone cheese (at room temperature) and two tablespoons of granulated sugar. Whisk just until the mixture is in soft peaks form.
You can use any citrus fruit you like, regular lemons, oranges, limes, etc.
Substitute plant-based milk for whole milk. You can substitute any milk alternative for milk in a 1:1 ratio. Almond and cashew milk are the best. But some options, like hemp milk or coconut milk, are not great because they will dominate the flavor of he cake.
Nutritional Info – Please remember that the nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.
Nutrition
Calories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 285mgPotassium: 72mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 101IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
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