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Photo of lemon olive oil cake with lemon drizzle iwth a piece out of it and lavendar garnish

It’s like a taste of bottled up sunshine in this Lemon Olive Oil Cake recipe. This Mediterranean-style dessert combines the bright and zesty flavors of lemon with the rich and fruity notes of olive oil, making it a moist and tender cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a simple yet elegant dessert to enjoy with afternoon tea or a yummy treat to impress your guests, this Lemon Olive Oil Cake is sure to become a new favorite in your baking back pocket.

Photo of lemon olive oil cake in the springform pan

Tips for making this cake:

  • Use good olive oil if you can. This isn’t the time for bargain basement oil. And yes, Costco olive oil is great for this!
  • Most of the flavor in the lemon is in the zest, so be sure to use it often in other recipes too
  • Be sure to scrub your lemons well, especially if they aren’t organic. I like to soak in some vinegar and baking soda to get any coating off
  • You can easily make this cake with oranges or limes (yum!) instead of lemon
  • Lemon extract adds extra zing, or try limoncello, if you have it!
  • The almond flour and the olive oil are what keep this super moist (ew, bad word, but it’s what fits here🙂
Photo of piece of lemon olive oil cake with lemon drizzle and fork with napkin

To garnish, you could sprinkle on some lavender buds*, or any edible flower to make it extra fancy. But I think the lemons look just pretty on their own, don’t you?

*Be sure any garnish is edible or culinary grade. 

Print
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Photo of lemon olive oil cake with lemon drizzle

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

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  • Author: Shelagh
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10-12
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Description

There’s no need to top this cake with anything—no ice cream, no whipped cream. It’s pretty near perfect all by itself. But a sprinkling of culinary lavender buds* wouldn’t hurt if you have it.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups (230g) almond flour
  • 1/3 cup (50g) all-purpose flour
  • Zest of two lemons
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (affiliate link)
  • 200g olive oil
  • 2 cups (scant) (225g) sugar
  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons lemon extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Thinly sliced lemons for top

Drizzle

  • Zest and juice of one lemon
  • 1 cup (130g) confectioners sugar, aka powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9” springform pan with parchment and spray well with cooking spray. I love this oil sprayer (affiliate link).
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, almond flour zest, baking powder, salt. Set aside.
  3. In a mixer on medium speed, cream the oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and lemon extract, then the eggs, one at a time, mixing a full 30 seconds between each addition. Turn the mixer to low and add the dry ingredients; don’t overmix.
  4. TIP: You can do this by hand; just be sure you mix very well (get a workout in while you’re at it!).
  5. Pour into the prepared pan and top with slices of lemon.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges turn golden and the internal temperature reaches 195-200°.
  7. Let the cake cook completely before removing it from the pan and adding the drizzle.

For the drizzle:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the zest, juice and powdered sugar. Drizzle the drizz over the cake.
  2. Serve and enjoy, yum!


Notes

*be sure any garnish is edible!

April 14 -23, 2026

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