Orange Olive Oil Cake

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This Italian Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe is an easy one-bowl recipe. Its soft texture and honey-sweet taste will leave you craving more after your first slice. It is irresistible, with the most tender crumb (made without butter!) and a lovely orange flavor.

Baked olive oil orange cake on a wooden cake plate with powdered sugar on top and fresh orange slices.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This orange-infused olive oil cake is the perfect cake for citrus season. Lovely, soft, and honey-sweet, it is ideal for any occasion!

If you love citrus desserts, try Struffoli (Italian Honey Balls), Orange Poppy Seed Cake, and Cranberry Orange Bread. Enjoy my Chocolate Olive Oil Cake and Lemon Olive Oil Cake next time.

Simple Ingredients

ingredients for orange olive oil cake recipe.
  • All-purpose flour
  • Orange juice (use fresh oranges)
  • Orange zest
  • Eggs
  • Honey
  • Extra virgin olive oil (you can also use a milder olive oil)
  • Whole-fat plain yogurt
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar), to dust the cake (don’t use granulated sugar for this step!)

Recipe Substitutions

  • Use this gluten-free flour and it will turn out delicious!
  • You can swap out the orange in this cake for any citrus you like!
  • You could also make a light glaze to drizzle over the top with powdered sugar and milk.

How To Make Orange Olive Oil Cake

This orange olive oil cake recipe is so easy to make. It is a great recipe anyone can make, regardless of their baking experience. This is an overview of the recipe; the full instrcutions are in the recipe card below.

wet ingredients in the bowl to make the orange olive oil cake.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat the sides and bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan with cooking spray (or parchment paper) and set aside.

Place all the wet ingredients in a bowl.

mixing wet ingredients with a whisk to combine.

In a large bowl (or stand mixer), whisk (or use an electric mixer) to combine the eggs, honey, olive oil, yogurt, orange juice, and zest. Mix until well blended. Sift in flour, salt, and baking powder.

orange olive oil cake batter in prepared baking pan.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are deep golden and a metal skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Baking times may vary depending on elevation!).

one slice of orange olive oil cake lifted up from the cake.

What’s the best olive oil to use in a cake?

I recommend using high-quality ingredients. You will really taste the flavor difference and it is worth it! You can find these olive oil brands at most grocery stores in the United States. Best extra-virgin olive oils to consider DeLalloColavitaBertolli, California Olive Ranch, HemisFares , and Spectrum.

slices taken out of the cake to show the soft inside.

Top Tips

  • Using room temperature ingredients. The cake will bake more evenly this way.
  • Use good quality ingredients! I recommend using good-quality olive oil for a soft and delicious orange olive oil cake. Use real lemon juice and zest instead of lemon extract.
slice of cake on a plate with a fork ready to eat.

Serving Instructions

This cake doesn’t need anything “extra.” It is soft and moist as it is. If you desire more sweetness, dress it up with vanilla ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.

Storage

The orange olive oil cake will be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for one week. The best way to store it is to cover it with plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container.

You will also love these easy and simple cakes Chocolate Torte, Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl)Italian Crumble Cake Pastry Cream Filling. Try this Davis family favorite- Poppy Seed Cake with Orange Almond Vanilla Glaze.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes

💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.

5 from 13 votes

Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Servings: 8 servings (Makes one 9-inch cake)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
slice of cake on a plate with a fork ready to eat.
This is one of my favorite cakes to make as there are just a handful of ingredients and it has a lovely fresh, orange flavor. 

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, 258 grams
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder, 10 grams
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly grated zest of 2 oranges
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ½ cup honey, 160 grams
  • ½ cup good quality olive oil, 125ml / 90 grams
  • Juice of 2 oranges, 100ml, freshly squeezed
  • ½ cup whole fat plain yogurt, 125ml / 120 grams
  • Confectioners’ sugar, to dust the cake

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat the sides and bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan cooking spray (or parchment paper), and set aside.
  • In a large bowl (or stand mixer), whisk (or use an electric mixer) to combine the eggs, honey, olive oil, yogurt, orange juice, and zest. Mix together until well blended.
  • Sift in flour, salt, and baking powder.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are deep golden and a metal skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let it cool completely. Before serving, dust with the Confectioners’ sugar, if desired.

Notes

Storage
  • The cake will keep airtight at room temp for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 8gCalories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 278mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 109IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Tried this recipe?Mention @cucinabyelena or tag #cucinabyelena!

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About Elena

My dream is to share delicious wholesome recipes that you will share around the table with all your loved ones. The memories surrounded by food are the heart and soul of CucinaByElena.

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Recipe Rating





35 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Do you literally sift in the flour, salt and baking powder, and then continue mixing with the hand or stand mixer?
    Thanks!

    1. You can use a sifter, if you have one, or you can just add the dry ingredients in the bowl and continue.

  2. 5 stars
    Made this cake last week for a family dinner and it was a major hit. I am not a baker but the recipe was so easy to follow. This will now be a part of my familyโ€™s tradition moving forward.

    1. This makes me so happy! I am so happy you loved this family recipe and it is now a part of your traditions. Sending love!

  3. 5 stars
    Perfect for spring or Easter! I used gluten free all purpose flour and it turned out great! My fam loved it (and they donโ€™t tend to favor non-chocolate desserts)

    1. Yay! It’s a great one to make gluten-free! If they love chocolate- try my molten chocolate lava cakes next! Yum.

  4. 5 stars
    I loved the recipe! It was super easy to follow and came together quickly! I added sliced almonds on top and canโ€™t wait to add the dusted powered sugar on top! I too missed the baking soda vs baking powder switch. Iโ€™m hoping it comes out and tastes as good as it smells! This recipe is a keeper! Thank you!!