This Lemon Olive Oil Cake is packed with fresh lemon flavor and topped with a delicious lemon glaze. Olive oil adds moisture and creates a fantastic light and spongy texture. This is an easy cake recipe that you’ll come back to again and again.
I am not usually a fan of lemon desserts but this recipe quickly became one of my favorite cakes ever. This cakes stays moist for days, the flavor is incredible, and it can be served any time of day.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
Flavor: Bright fresh lemon flavor from lemon zest and lemon juice with subtle hints of vanilla and olive oil.
Texture: Olive oil makes this cake moist and gives it a fantastic light and spongy texture.
Ease: This recipe comes together quickly and easily and no electric mixer is needed.
Moist for days: This cake stays moist and flavorful for days!
Versatile: Prefer a different citrus flavor? Swap the lemon zest and juice for orange or lime.
Recipe overview
*Full recipe below in recipe card*
- Combine lemon zest and sugar.
- Add eggs, oil, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk. Whisking until combined.
- Pour the batter into a 9×2 inch round pan and bake.
Optional toppings
I like to cover this cake in a lemon glaze (a combination of powdered sugar and lemon juice). This adds an extra burst of tart lemon flavor. If you’d prefer to skip the glaze you can dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar.
Recipe tips
You will need 3 large or 4 small-medium lemons for this recipe.
Use a microplane-style grater to remove the yellow skin/zest from the lemons. Do not grate the bitter white pith.
Since this cake batter is assembled with a whisk it does create some air bubbles. Once the batter is in the pan, tap the pan on the countertop several times to remove air bubbles before baking.
Resist the urge to open the oven or move the cake during bake time. If you let it bake undisturbed it will rise beautifully with a flat top.
Serving and storage
Serving: Serve cake at room temperature for the best texture. Serve as-is or top each slice with lightly sweetened whipped cream and/or fresh berries.
Storage: Store refrigerated or at room temperature. Cake stays fresh for several days.
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Recipe
Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- finely grated zest of 3 large lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil, preferably mild flavored
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ⅔ cup all purpose flour, see note
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup whole or 2% milk
Lemon glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the center of the oven. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round pan with parchment paper. Grease the pan and set aside. Note: the cake pan should be at least 2-inches high.
- In a large bowl, whisk lemon zest and sugar until combined. Add eggs, oil, lemon juice, and vanilla whisking until well combined.
- In a separate bowl combine, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add half the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking until just combined. Whisk in the milk followed by the remaining dry ingredients, being careful to to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles. Allow the cake batter to sit for another minute or two and then tap on the counter again to remove air bubbles.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. It is important not to open the oven during bake time or to move the cake around before it is set (this can cause it to sink in the middle). Remove the cake from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
Lemon glaze (recipe can be halved for a thinner layer of icing):
- Whisk ingredients until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more lemon juice to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken.
- Once the cake has cooled remove it from the pan and add the glaze. I pour it over the top and spread it across the top and down the sides. Allow the glaze to firm up a bit before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Nellie Tracy
This is fantastic! Such a great cake recipe
Juliet
Hi there! Could I use buttermilk instead of milk?
Allison
I’ve only made the recipe as written. You’re welcome to try it, hopefully it won’t be too tart/sour.
Erin Burtis
Could I add berries before baking?
Allison
You can try it! I would only use fresh berries, frozen would add too moisture and this is already a moist cake. I have a Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake recipe you can try.
Gina
I’m a big fan of lemon desserts and this was no different! What a great recipe and yummy treat to enjoy!
Debbie
I don’t use olive oil, could I sub avacado or coconut oil in the same amount?
Allison
You’re welcome to try. I’ve only made the recipe as written.
Bridget
Wow!! This lemon cake is perfect. The whole family raved.
Allison
Yay! I’m so glad.
Diane Giardina
I made this lemon olive oil cake last night. It’s very moist and so delicious. Much quicker and simpler to make than my regular lemon olive oil cake recipe. I’ll definitely make it again. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Paula
Delicious!! I’ve made as-written and other times have omitted the glaze and instead did a light sprinkling of cane sugar on top before baking to cut down on sweetness. Both ways are wonderful – it’s a very moist cake that comes together easily. Great way to use the abundance of lemons on our tree!
Allison
Thanks for the kind review, Paula! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Rashmi Ardey Nee Soneja
Came together very easily and was absolutely delicious!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Mallory
I have tried so many online recipes with great photos that don’t turn out well for me, but this cake is not any ordinary recipe; it is THE lemon cake for me now. This cake turned out perfect in every way. It is exquisite; how can something so simple be so delicious? I’m going to make this cake for my daughter’s 1st birthday coming up and as often as I can get away with going forward! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
Allison
Thanks for the kind review, Mallory. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂