Olive Oil Cake Recipe

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By Mari Levine

A dessert that feeds a crowd—what dish better fits both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving? If you’ve never had olive oil cake, don’t expect to bite into an oil slick. Olive oil keeps this cake moist, while also lending it a peppery—but not too oily—flavor.

Olive Oil Cake with Lemon-Thyme Glaze

Serves 8

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornmeal
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup whole milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon fresh rosemary
½ teaspoon lemon zest

Glaze

½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest, minced
½ teaspoon fresh thyme
½ teaspoon olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan and set aside.

2. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3. In large mixing bowl, whisk eggs lightly to break up yolks. Add sugar and whisk thoroughly. Add olive oil and whisk until mixture has thickened slightly, about 45-60 seconds. Whisk in milk, then vanilla, rosemary and zest.

4. Add dry ingredients to mixing bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined; continue whisking until you have a smooth, emulsified batter, about 30 more seconds.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake cake for 30 to 45 minutes, rotating cake pan halfway through cooking time. Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then gently remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a rack.

6. Meanwhile, in small bowl, whisk glaze ingredients until thoroughly combined. Pour over cooling cake, using back of spoon to spread. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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