The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (2024)

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The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (1)

Folks, I have for you the best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake recipe on the internet. Not only is it redolent with orange zest and amaretto, it’s topped with sliced pears and almonds. It’s so simple to make and absolutely delicious, and it’s a recipe you will turn to again and again. Best part? It keeps well at room temperature and is best made a day ahead!

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So what is an olive oil cake anyway?

Olive oil cakes are simple cakes that use olive oil instead of butter or other fats. The cake is so tender, and so delicious, that even Ina (two sticks of butter Ina) would approve. What makes it so delicious? Like anything, it’s important to use the best olive oil you can find, and I strongly prefer California grown, extra virgin olive oil. Not only is the certification process strenuous, which I 100% appreciate, I think it just tastes better. The best types of olive oil for an olive oil cake are fruity, with citrus, herbal and pepper notes, and with a touch of bitterness.

The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (2)

The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe

This olive oil cake recipe is adapted from Bon Appetit. I’ve obviously converted it to be gluten free, but I’ve also taken it to the next level by topping it with sliced bosc pairs and almonds. It’s deceptively simple to make, but the flavor is anything but. The cake calls for 1 ¼ cups of EVOO, so be sure to use the best tasting oil you can afford.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar; plus more for the pan
  • 1 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; plus more for pan
  • 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour blend
  • ⅓ cup almond flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons amaretto or Grand Marnier
  • 1 firm bosc pear, cored and cut into thin slices
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Drizzle a little olive oil in a 9″ springform pan and spread it evenly with your fingers. Line the bottom with a layer of parchment and add a little more olive oil to coat it, taking time to smooth any air bubbles. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons sugar into the pan and shake to coat the bottom and sides. Dump out any excess sugar and set the pan aside.
  2. Place the orange zest, orange juice, vanilla and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat the eggs until they become pale and thick. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the sugar and beat until the mixture is pale and glossy and runs off the whisk in thick ribbons.
  3. Add the olive oil, flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the amaretto.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, top decoratively with the pear and almond slices.
  5. Put the pan in the oven and reduce the heat to 350 °F and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and release the sides from the pan and allow it to cool completely.
  6. Store the cake tightly wrapped at room temp. This cake tastes even better the next day so make it ahead if possible! Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (3)
The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (4)

Frequently Asked Questions about Olive Oil Cake

Which olive oil is best for olive oil cake?

The best olive oil to use is one you love, and one that has a ton of flavors like citrus, pepper and herbs. Look for extra virgin olive oil, preferably California grown olive oil.

Is olive oil cake healthier than regular cake?

Olive oil cakes are lower in saturated fat than regular cakes, and since it doesn’t have frosting, it does have less sugar. But I wouldn’t exactly call it a health food. This particular gluten free olive oil cake recipe is also dairy free.

When should you eat olive oil cake?

I mean, you can eat it anytime really, but the flavors really meld after a day at room temperature. I’ve found that this cake keeps extremely well at room temp for a few days if it’s tightly wrapped.

The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (5)

The first time I made this gluten free olive oil cake recipe, I was blown away, and it’s quickly climbed the ranks as pretty much my favorite cake ever. It keeps perfectly at room temperature for a few days, and while we love it for dessert, it makes a mighty fine breakfast and pairs perfectly with a hot mug of your favorite coffee.

Gluten Free Lemon + Olive Oil Cake

This is the best ever Gluten Free Lemon Cake recipe! It’s loaded with lemony goodness, plus it has a nice, delicate crumb. It’s bright, tart, and totally addictive. Spiked with plenty of fresh lemon zest and a touch of rosemary, this makes a light dessert, afternoon snack – or if I’m being really honest, breakfast. Yum!

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The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (7)

The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe

The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (8)Alison Needham

This olive oil cake recipe is adapted from Bon Appetit. I’ve obviously converted it to be gluten free, but I’ve also taken it to the next level by topping it with sliced bosc pairs and almonds. It’s deceptively simple to make, but the flavor is anything but. The cake calls for 1 1/4 cups of EVOO, so be sure to use the best tasting oil you can afford.

5 from 9 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 10 servings

Calories 475 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar; plus more for the pan
  • 1 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; plus more for pan
  • 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour blend
  • cup almond flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons amaretto or Grand Marnier
  • 1 firm bosc pear cored and cut into thin slices
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 °F (205°C). Drizzle a little olive oil in a 9″ springform pan and spread it evenly with your fingers. Line the bottom with a layer of parchment and add a little more olive oil to coat it, taking time to smooth any air bubbles. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons sugar into the pan and shake to coat the bottom and sides. Dump out any excess sugar and set the pan aside.

  • Place the orange zest, orange juice, vanilla and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat the eggs until they become pale and thick. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the sugar and beat until the mixture is pale and glossy and runs off the whisk in thick ribbons.

  • Add the olive oil, flour blend, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the amaretto.

  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan, top decoratively with the pear and almond slices.

  • Put the pan in the oven and reduce the heat to 350 °F and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and release the sides from the pan and allow it to cool completely.

  • Store the cake tightly wrapped at room temp. This cake tastes even better the next day so make it ahead if possible! Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 475kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 6gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 275mgPotassium: 72mgFiber: 4gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 82IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe

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The Best Gluten Free Olive Oil Cake Recipe on the Internet - A Girl Defloured (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep gluten-free cake moist? ›

Add extra liquid: Gluten-free flours tend to absorb more liquid than regular flour, so you may need to add more liquid to your recipes to compensate. This can help to keep your baked goods moist and prevent them from becoming dry and crumbly.

What kind of olive oil do you use for olive oil cake? ›

If you want the benefits of an olive oil cake but don't want any noticeable flavor added from the olive oil, use olive oils that have a mild intensity like a Spanish Arbequina or Greek Koroneiki.

Why is my olive oil cake so dense? ›

Olive oil tends to make the cake a bit more dense, so adding whipped egg whites will lighten things up to create a beautiful texture. The resulting cake is still dense (not as dense as a pound cake), but it melts in your mouth.

What makes a cake more moist oil or butter? ›

Why does oil give cake superior texture? Butter is 18% water, so when the batter is baked, some of its liquid evaporates. Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness.

What oil does Kylie use? ›

"Almond oil or olive oil or jojoba oil," she tells Kardashian of her preferred oils, admitting that, like so many of us, she used to mispronounce jojoba.

What gluten-free flour is best for cakes? ›

What's the best gluten-free flour for baking? Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking mix is my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for baking. It has a mild texture and plenty of "stick" thanks to a blend of sweet rice flour, brown rice flour, and sorghum flour, plus some starches and xanthan gum.

Why are my gluten-free cakes so dry? ›

Moisture – for some reason gluten-free cakes tend to get a little dry. Any gluten-free cake will dry out super-fast and get hard on the outside if it's not properly refrigerated and covered. I swear by always using buttermilk and adding a little more fat into the batter to compensate for the dryness.

What is the trick to gluten free baking? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

Why not use extra virgin olive oil for baking? ›

All cooking oils have what is called a "smoke point," the temperature at which the oil starts to break down and smoke. And where there's smoke, there will soon be fire. This is why extra virgin olive oil, which has a low smoke point of 350°F to 410°F, shouldn't be used for high heat cooking, especially frying.

Which type of olive oil is best for baking? ›

Late Season: Buttery and mild, late season olive oil lends itself well to general baking and won't over power other flavors.

Which oil is best for cakes? ›

Whenever possible, use canola oil for baking.

Its neutral taste will not give your cake any undesirable flavor, and you can keep the focus on the flavors in your cake, especially if you are using premium ingredients in your cake such as vanilla beans and high quality chocolate.

Why does my olive oil cake sink in the middle? ›

If you have too much liquid or too much fat in your cake batter, this can result in a cake with a weak structure which can cause it to sink in the middle.

Is it better to bake with butter or vegetable oil? ›

The spongy texture and moist flavor that oil creates can be a boon to certain recipes. Not to mention oil is cheaper and easier to work with. Butter will always provide superior flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture. In many recipes, combining the two gives the best of both worlds.

Why did my olive oil cake collapse? ›

If you do not do it slowly enough, your batter will not combine properly and the cake will sink in the middle during the bake. 3. Don't forget to drop the temperature (as stated in the recipe) from 400 F to 350 F as soon as you put the cake in.

What makes an olive oil cake different? ›

Why It Works. High-quality olive oil ensures a cake that is rich, flavorful, and moist. The thick texture of buttermilk provides structure to the batter for a cake that's tangy and light. The subtle aroma of lemon zest and orange flower water adds dimension to the cake and elevates the character of the olive oil.

Is it OK to bake a cake with olive oil? ›

Yes, it's true! Extra virgin olive oil is a great substitute for butter or other fats when baking cakes. It gives cakes a wonderfully moist texture and a light, subtle flavor that pairs perfectly with other ingredients like fresh fruit and nuts. Plus, it's healthy and packed with antioxidants and healthy fats.

How long does olive oil cake last? ›

I also love that the use of olive oil also keeps this cake moister for a longer time, than if it was made with butter. You can easily keep it for up to 6-7 days (well wrapped) and it won't be dry.

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