Rosemary Olive Oil Cake

j

by Sil Pancho

}

09.08.2021


This is one of my favorite cakes of the past ten years. It’s a rustic, incredibly moist, golden-crumbed olive oil cake. Flecked with rosemary, and dotted throughout with big and small chocolate chunks you’re looking at a perfect picnic treat. It’s one of those cakes that is both distinctive and memorable in an understated way and a breeze to make. We have Kim Boyce to thank for the recipe, and you might remember it from when I originally posted it here after Kim released Good to the Grain in 2010.
Olive Oil Cake Recipe

What Makes this Olive Oil Cake Special?

The rosemary is the wild card factor here. And it’s so good. It heats up in the oven as the cake is baking and  permeates the cake in a subtle but steady way, not at all overpowering. The other thing I love about this cake is that it is such a breeze to make. You’re looking at ten minutes tops to get it in the oven. This is perfect when you’re trying to pull things together for a road trip, or picnic, or flight.

Why are Olive Oil Cakes so Good?

There are a number of reasons people love cakes made with olive oil in place of butter. You tend to get a nice, even crumb with olive oil cakes. But, in my opinion, you really see the difference a day or two after baking. Olive oil cakes tend to stay beautifully moist. Olive oil is fattier than butter with no water factor. There’s a theory that the percentage of water in butter interacts with the flour in a cake batter to form more gluten strands. This results in a more structured and less tender cake. Olive oil cakes are also great for people who forget to plan ahead. With butter cakes you’re often waiting for the butter to come up to room temperature. Not necessary when you’re baking with olive oil.
Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Tweaks and Variations

I’ve made a few tweaks to Kim’s recipe over the years, and you can see them integrated into the recipe below. Most are stylistic more than anything. I converted the recipe into weights for the scale-based bakers. I also decided I wanted more chocolate visible on top, and a bit of a sugary top crust. What about pan size? I wanted to bake it in a vintage baton cake pan I found in Portland a few years ago (my $1 pan!), and aside from a slightly longer baking time, it was no problem. Feel free to experiment with different pans or muffin tins, but adjust your baking pans accordingly.
Olive Oil Cake Recipe

This  one of those perfect picnic, travel, or lunchbox cakes. I can’t believe it has been over a decade since I originally highlighted it here, but I love that it is still part of my repertoire. Xo Kim & congrats on the much deserved James Beard Award! xx -h

For more cake recipes, be sure to try this flourless chocolate cake, this chocolate pudding, or for a real chocolate jolt, make these chocolate brownies.

MY NEWSLETTER + EBOOK

weeknight express

Sign up for my weekly-ish, ad-free newsletter, with recipes, inspirations, what
I’m reading / watching / shopping.
(You’ll get a link for a free PDF e-book with 10 recipes)

weeknight express



Source link

HalfwayFoods.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on Social Media

Featured Articles

Comments

0 Comments

Related Articles

Popcorn Gift Set with Homemade Popcorn Seasonings

Popcorn Gift Set with Homemade Popcorn Seasonings

Share this post: Share on Facebook Save to Pinterest Email to a Friend We’re big fans of edible gifts here at Wholefully—they are easy and affordable to put together, and everyone appreciates the gift of something tasty! We whipped up this popcorn gift set as a...

Fresh Ginger Date Cookies – Bowl of Delicious

Fresh Ginger Date Cookies – Bowl of Delicious

Published November 29, 2022. Last updated December 4, 2022 By Elizabeth Lindemann &nbsp&nbsp/&nbsp&nbspThis post may contain affiliate links.Jump to Recipe - Print Fresh Ginger Date Cookies are the perfect cookie for Christmastime, or anytime!...

50+ Easy Whole30 Dinner Recipes

50+ Easy Whole30 Dinner Recipes

These easy Whole30 dinner recipes will make your healthy month a breeze and downright delicious! They’ll show you how to cook with wholesome ingredients, hearty proteins, healthy fats, and flavorful herbs and spices. What is Whole30? In case you missed my list...