Orange Olive Oil Cake

Name: Orange Olive Oil Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ¾ teaspoon sea salt; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup orange juice; ½ cup olive oil; 2 teaspoons vanilla; zest of two oranges

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Every slice of this bright citrusy-sweet cake made with olive oil and orange extracts will have your taste buds captivated. This Orange Olive Oil Cake is like a dash of sunshine that will brighten even the coldest of winter days! The best part- it will stay super moist for days!

completed slice of Orange Olive Oil Cake against a white background

Oranges are available year-round, but they are best harvested during their peak months – the wintertime! This is when they are their sweetest and juiciest! And since we love ourselves some homemade, Spanish-inspired olive oil cake, we deemed them to be a match made in heaven! The perfect winter-through-spring treat that tastes like warm sunshine!

If you are a staunch butter-in-my-batter type of baker, I encourage you to try this recipe out. We are kicking dairy butter to the curb and swapping it with olive oil! And the result is a cake loaded with moist, delicate crumbs brimming with orange flavor in every bite! This Orange Olive Oil Cake is a perfectly textured, richly flavored treat that you can enjoy with your afternoon tea or coffee or as a light and sweet ending to your evening meal.

Reasons to Love Orange Olive Oil Cake
Ingredients Needed
How to Make Orange Olive Oil Cake
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Tips:
Storing Leftover Orange Olive Oil Cake
Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Reasons to Love Orange Olive Oil Cake

This cake will be as moist on day 5 as it was on the day you made it! Since oil is made of 100% fats, it remains liquid at room temperature, resulting in a moister cake with lofty and tender crumbs.
Olive oil is a nutritious oil made of healthful fats filled with antioxidants. Certainly a lot healthier than dairy butter can ever be. The antioxidants and vitamins from the oranges used in this recipe magnify its health benefits even more!
Simple. This recipe is simple in every way. Ingredients are mostly pantry basics, and the steps are easy to follow. All of the ingredients are simply combined in a bowl and baked.
You can keep it as it is to enjoy as an everyday snack or dessert, or you can add some embellishments to make it into an elegant, celebration-worthy homemade cake.

Ingredients Needed

ingredients for Orange Olive Oil Cake measured out on a white surface

How to Make Orange Olive Oil Cake

ingredients for Orange Olive Oil Cake against a white background

process of Orange Olive Oil Cake wet ingredients being mixed in stainless steel bowl

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare your 9-inch round cake pan by lightly greasing it with oil. Combine sifted flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt then set aside.

Step 2: Wet ingredients. Mix the sugar, orange juice, olive oil, vanilla, and orange zest in a bowl until well combined.

process of Orange Olive Oil Cake wet and dry ingredients being mixed in stainless steel bowl

process showing Orange Olive Oil Cake batter placed in cake pan

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients using a spatula. Mix everything well.

Step 4: Pour the Orange Olive Oil batter into the cake pan and bake for 35 minutes. Allow cooling on a rack before unmolding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Olive Oil Cake?

Some say this is the dairy-free version of a classic pound cake because it removes dairy butter from the equation. Though most recipes still use egg, this vegan version does not require one. Here’s a great guide on some vegan egg replacers for baking!

What to do if I don’t have a zester?

No zester or grater, no problem! Just use a regular vegetable peeler or take a small sharp knife. Working from top to bottom, peel off a strip of orange skin. We simply want orange skin with no white at the bottom. If this happens, you may have peeled it too deeply.

I know Olive Oil has a stronger taste than other oils; will this affect the taste of the cake?

Not at all. Olive oil does not give an overpowering taste, but instead, it adds another depth of flavor to the cake.

Is it healthier than other cakes?

It is as healthy as any cake recipe can be. Olive oil is the healthiest oil in the world, after all!

What is the best orange to use for this recipe?

While you can use any oranges for this recipe, Navel and Valencia are great options because of their juiciness and sweetness.

Top Tips:

Use a variety of citrus fruits. This recipe can also be made using other citruses like lemon, mandarin, citron, tangerine, limes, and grapefruits.
Add some chopped nuts or seeds to give your cake some crunch.
If you want a more elaborate presentation, you can make this on a Bundt cake instead. Those nooks and dips will certainly add more visual appeal.
You can add some fresh orange flesh on top and sprinkle powdered sugar before serving.
Serve with vegan banana ice cream, vegan yogurt, or vegan whipped cream on top!

Storing Leftover Orange Olive Oil Cake

At room temperature – Place any leftovers in a sealed cake box or cake tin and store it in a cool, dry area for 2 to 3 days.
In the fridge – If you want to keep it longer, you can place the cake in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
In the freezer – If you wish to freeze it, wrap the cake with a layer of plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. Place it on a wire rack to thaw for 3-4 hours before enjoying.