The Perfect Olive Oil Cake!

Perfect Italian Olive Oil Cake

Well, autumn is waning here in the Cascades as November approaches.  Temperatures are dropping with lows at night dipping into the 30’s now and then.  Stoke up the fire and invite friends over for a casual dinner fireside!  Serve this amazing Olive Oil Cake with whipped marscapone to complete a perfect late fall evening!  

From blog Food52                                                                                                                   Original recipe from Maialino Restaurant in New York City.   This recipe has a crackling crust and olive oil rich pudding like middle! 

We like to serve it at the lodge with marscapone whipped cream on the side! 

Ingredients:

2    cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4    cups sugar

1 1/2    teaspoons kosher salt

1/2    teaspoon baking soda

1/2    teaspoon baking powder

1 1/3    cups extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/4    cups whole milk(orunsweetened almond milk)

3    large eggs

1 1/2    tablespoons grated orange zest

1/4    cup fresh orange juice

1/4    cup Grand Marnier (or more oj, orange zest and 1 tsp vanilla) 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat the oven to 350° F. Oil, butter, or spray a 9-inch cake pan that is at least 2 inches deep with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. (If your cake pan is less than 2 inches deep, divide between 2 pans and start checking for doneness at 30 minutes.) 

2.  In a bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and powder. In another bowl, whisk the olive oil, milk, eggs, orange zest and juice and Grand Marnier. Add the dry ingredients; whisk until just combined. 

3.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, until the top is golden and a cake tester comes out clean. Transfer the cake to a rack and let cool for 30 minutes. 

4.  Run a knife around the edge of the pan, invert the cake onto the rack and let cool completely, 2 hours.  

Optional:  Decorate with powdered sugar stencil and/or serve with sweetened vanilla whipped cream with added marscapone to make a decadent addition!