Olive Oil & Citrus Cake

Sizzling garlic & basil are wafting from the kitchen. It smells delicious & warm. Heck, my mouth is watering! No, I'm not a complete narcissist, Ray is making me dinner! Knowing I was in for a treat I decided my hubby needed one too. With no planning, market running, or other miscellaneous dinner prep to do, I an entire afternoon free to plot dessert. 

I whipped up a modest olive oil & citrus cake & before my house was full of mouth-watering dinner smells & it was full of warm, spicy notes from this simple little cake. Fruity green olive oil, sharp citrus, & a hint of cinnamon team up with great results & it's a wonderfully flexible alternative to a classic pound cake. Luckily, it pairs well with lots of stuff, because I'm not allowed to peak in the kitchen! 

Olive Oil & Citrus Cake

adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts

5 large eggs

1/3 c. olive oil

1 1/2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. pure vanilla, orange, or lemon extract (or any combination of the three)

1 orange, zested & juiced

1 lemon or lime, zested & juiced

2 c. unbleached white pastry or all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. confectioners sugar for dusting (optional)

Pre-heat the oven to 325F. Oil a spring form or bunt pan & dust with flour. Meanwhile, separate the eggs. Set the yolks aside & whip the whites until stiff with an electric mixer. Set them aside.

Using an electric mixer, cream together the olive oil & sugar. Beat in the yolks one at a time. Add the cinnamon, salt, extract, zest, & juices & beat until smooth. Add the flour & baking powder & mix until combined. With a spatula, carefully fold in the egg whites.

Pour the batter into a prepped pan & bake for 45 minutes, until the cake is golden & firm in the center. It should pull away from the pan easily at this point. Remove from the oven & cool for 15 minutes.

Run a knife along the edge of the cake & remove the cake from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. This cake is also excellent served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, fresh whipped cream, or a drizzle of honey.