Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Orange Cake

I absolutely love making this delicious extra virgin olive oil and orange cake with olive oil harvested from our family's own grove. It's a very simple yet tasty treat that all my friends and family enjoy.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 cup (240 ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs

• Zest of 2 large oranges

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups (250 g) plain flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Glaze (optional):

• 1 cup (125 g) caster sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

• Orange zest for garnish

Method

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan:

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

• Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan with olive oil and dust with flour. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Ingredients:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, sugar, and eggs until smooth and well combined.

• Add the orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4. Combine Mixtures:

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.

5. Bake:

• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

• Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Prepare the Glaze (Optional):

• In a small pan, mix the caster sugar with orange juice and heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mix becomes smooth and slightly runny.

• Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and sprinkle with a little extra orange zest.

7. Serve:

• Slice and serve at room temperature, with a dusting of powdered sugar if desired.

This cake is a true taste of tradition, blending the rustic flavours of extra virgin olive oil and citrus into a moist, fragrant treat. Try it, and you’ll see why it’s been a favourite for generation.