Traditional Italian Olive Oil Cake Recipes

ITALIAN APPLE OLIVE OIL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the chopped apples in a bowl and add orange juice; just enough juice to toss and coat apples so as to prevent browning.
• In a large mixing bowl sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside for now
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk, add sugar and extra virgin olive oil. Mix on low for 2 minutes until well-combined
• While mixer is on, add the eggs, one at a time, and continue to mix another 2 minutes until mixture increases in volume (it should be thicker but still runny)
• In the large bowl with the dry ingredients, make a well in the middle of the flour mixture. Add the wet mixture (the sugar and olive oil mixture) into the well. Using a wooden spoon, stir until just blended; it will be a thick batter (do not add anything to loosen it).
• Drain raisins (which have been soaking in water) completely; and rid apples of excess juice. Add both raisins and apples to the batter and mix with spoon until well-combined. Again, batter will be fairly thick.
• Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper. Spoon thick batter into the pan, and level the top with the back of your wooden spoon.
• Bake in 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until an inserted tooth pick or wooden skewer comes out clean.
• Cool completely in pan. When ready, simply lift parchment up to transfer cake into a serving dish. Dust with confectioner's sugar. Alternatively, heat some dark honey to serve on top (those with a sweeter tooth like this option.)

OLIVE OIL CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan using extra-virgin olive oil and line the bottom with parchment paper. Oil the parchment and flour the pan, shaking out any excess flour.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer set on high, beat the sugar, eggs and lemon zest until very thick and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer still running, slowly drizzle in the oil and beat until incorporated, another 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and add milk and lemon juice. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smooth the top using an offset spatula and sprinkle the top with about 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Bake the cake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool for 20 minutes, then run a knife around the edge to release the sides of the cake from the pan. Invert the cake onto a plate and then flip it back over onto the rack to cool completely. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

ITALIAN LEMON OLIVE OIL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ and grease a 9 inch round cake pan with butter and sprinkle flour around the pan to coat it completely.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and eggs. Mix on medium speed with a hand mixer for 1-2 minutes until pale yellow and shiny.
• With the mixer on low, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and the vanilla extract.
• Add the lemon juice and zest and mix on low until just combined.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
• Pour batter in the prepared cake pan and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
• Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes and then top with powdered sugar and berries and serve.

OLIVE OIL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil 2 (10-inch) round cake pans.
• In a nonreactive saucepan, reduce the orange juice over medium heat to 1/4 cup. Add salt, stir, and let cool.
• Lightly beat eggs with paddle attachment in standing mixer on high for 1 minute until frothy. Add milk, sugar, liqueur, olive oil, reduced orange juice, lemon zest, anise and 1 teaspoon rosemary. Mix for 1 minute until well blended. Mix in the flour, baking soda and baking powder until well blended and smooth.
• Pour half of the mixture into each oiled cake pan. Bake for 1 hour. Place on a rack to cool. Run a knife around the edges and place it on a plate. While the cake is still warm, smooth 3 tablespoons of marmalade onto the top of each cake. Sprinkle remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary evenly over both cakes. Garnish center with rosemary sprig. Cut each cake into wedges and serve.