Gluten-Free Citrus Olive Oil Cake

Olive oil cake is unlike any other cake I’ve baked. It’s incredibly moist and flavored with orange zest and almond extract. You would never even know it’s gluten-free and dairy-free!

a gluten-free citrus and olive oil cake cut into six slices on a blue background

You may have thought that olive oil was just for savory cooking but as this recipe proves it is far more versatile! Olive oil lends a subtle fruity, lemony flavor to this cake and when whipped together with sugar and eggs, helps create a cake with a plush, light as air texture. Additionally, this delicious gluten-free cake is infused with orange zest and almond extract and coated in a crackly, sugary crust!

This cake can be made ahead of time too! Simply wrap it in plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature, it will stay fresh for up to three days.

Create the perfect summer Italian menu by pairing Citrus and Olive Oil Cake with Steamed Clams, Burrata Salad with Prosciutto and Nectarines, and an Aperol Spritz!

Ingredients you’ll need:

Here’s everything you need to make a gluten-free citrus olive oil cake: oranges, olive oil, eggs, sugar, almond extract, baking soda, baking powder, gluten-free flour, and almond flour.

olive oil cake ingredients individually portioned, two oranges, three eggs, baking soda, baking powder, a white dish of almond flour etc..

Recipe Steps:

1. Whisk dry ingredients together.
2. Beat the eggs, zest, and sugar together on high until light and fluffy.

left: a bowl of dry baking ingredients in a mixing bowl with a whisk. right: a stand mixer bowl with sugar, eggs and citrus zest

3. Slowly pour in the olive oil, followed by the orange juice and almond extract.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the batter.

two stand mixer bowls filled with yellow cake batter

5. Pour the batter into an oiled and sugared 9-inch springform pan and sprinkle with reserved sugar.
6. Bake 50-55 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.

a spring form pan on a brown parchment lined baking tray and a spring form pan filled with olive oil cake batter

7. Poke holes in the cake with a toothpick or cake tester. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Let cool completely then cut into 6 even slices.

left: a whole, baked olive oil cake on a round platter. right: a sliced olive oil cake on a blue background with a white tea towel

FAQs and Expert Tips

What kind of olive oil should I use for olive oil cake?

Use high-quality olive oil. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive but it should taste good! Not only is it baked into the cake, but a little is drizzled on top at the end just after baking. I usually prefer a local California olive oil like California Olive Ranch.

What is the best type of gluten-free flour?

My favorite brands of gluten-free flours are Cup4Cup and King Arthur Flour.

an olive oil cake sliced into six slices on a blue background  with a white bowl of olive oil on the side and a white tea towel

Check out more delicious desserts:

I love to hear from readers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates!

a gluten-free citrus and olive oil cake cut into six slices on a blue background

Gluten-Free Olive Oil Cake

A moist and flavorful olive oil cake flavored with orange zest, and almond extract.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 616kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 c gluten-free flour
  • 3/4 c almond flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 1/4 c sugar divided
  • 1 c olive oil plus 3 tbsp for drizzling over the cake and more for the pan
  • 3 tbsp orange zest about three whole oranges
  • 1/4 c orange juice
  • 1 tbsp almond extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350. Brush a 9inch spring-form pan generously with olive oil. Add 1/4c sugar to the pan, tap it around the pan until there's an even coating of sugar then pour the excess out into a small bowl and reserve for the cake topping.
  • In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the dry ingredients; gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the sugar, zest, and eggs on high with the whisk attachment. Note: you could also use a hand mixer here. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is thick and creamy and falls slowly off the whisk. Next, with the mixer on medium/high speed very slowly stream in 1c of olive oil, followed by the almond extract then orange juice. Turn off the mixer.
  • Switch to a rubber spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the batter by hand. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top of the cake with an even coating of the reserved sugar. Bake for 50-55 minutes until the cake is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool for 20 minutes. Use a thin skewer or cake tester to poke 8-10 holes all over the top of the cake. Pour the reserved 3 tbsp of olive oil over the cake and let it seep into the holes. Let the cake cool completely. Slice into wedges and serve!

Notes

 
Ingredient Notes:
  • Gluten-Free Flour: Cup4Cup and King Arthur Flour are the best gluten-free flour brands. 
  • Orange Zest + Juice: You can substitute lemon zest and juice if you prefer or use a combination of orange and lemon.
 
FAQs:
What type of olive oil is best for olive oil cake?
  • Use high-quality olive oil. Not only is it baked into the cake, but a little is drizzled on at the end just after baking. Make sure it tastes good! I usually prefer a local California olive oil.
 
Storing Leftovers:
  • Wrap any leftover cake in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to three days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 616kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 229mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 126IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag me: @Craving_California and use the hashtag: #CravingCalifornia!

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2 Comments

  1. Hi Leigh!
    Im not concerned with being gluten free. Should i make any change to amount of flour if I’m using regular all purpose flour?