Orange Cake with Olive Oil (Food Processor Recipe)

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This is one of the oldest recipe and my go-to cake when I am out of butter or do not want to use it. It is a flavorful orange cake that uses olive oil and yogurt for that extra moistness. The syrup and glaze adds an extra level of moisture and sweetness and is optional. Moreover this can be made in a food processor and is an amazing one bowl type of recipe.

moist orange olive oil cake slice with fork diged in

Why you should make this recipe?

When someone is coming on a short notice for a tea, this is the cake I usually go for.

I usually do not have anything readymade to serve with coffee or tea so this is usually baking when the door bell rings and is ready by the time of serving – a little warm, which is amazing. Plus the home smells great. Carrot cake is another favorite one bowl recipe of mine that also uses oil. You can find the recipe here.

And if you love baking with citrus fruits, this Lemon one bowl cake you could try next.

“My friends loved the cake and more than half is gone, it felt so moist, so light, perfect texture, my niece tried orange cake today and they absolutely loved it”
Sania Imam

Recipe at a glance

For the Cake

Eggs – room temperature

Sour Cream/Yogurt – full fat, room temperature

Olive Oil – better the quality, greater the taste payoff

Dry Ingredients – Flour, salt, baking powder

Sugar – granulated

Flavorings – Vanilla, zest of oranges

For Syrup

Freshly squeezed orange juice

Sugar – granulated

For Glaze

Freshly squeezed orange juice

Icing/Confectioner’s/Powdered Sugar

Step by step process

FAQs

Does adding more oil makes the cake moist?

Oil is all fat while butter is usually fat with some water percentage. That is why cakes with oil recipes tend to be moist than cakes with only butter. However, oil does not add a lot of flavor to the cakes hence a combination of butter and oil is preferred. But in case of olive oil and coconut oil, they do add a lot of complimentary flavor and moisture to the cakes.

What ingredient makes cake moist

Cake is like a balanced equation hence baking is more of a science. The ratios and measurements is important and the right balance of ingredients make any cake moist. That being said, yogurt, oil and sugar are usually the ingredients that play an important part in moist cakes.

What is the trick to a moist cake?

It is not one trick. Choosing room temperature ingredients, measuring accurately, mixing method and baking all contributes towards a moist and tender cake.

Substitutions and Variations

You can skip the glaze and syrup or choose one.

You can use other vegetable oil in place of olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

This cake can be served at room temperature or slightly warm.

Storage and Make ahead

This individual slices can be wrapped and stored in freezer for lunch box treat.

The cake can be kept at room temperature covered for up to 3 days.

Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Yield: 1 loaf cake

Orange Glaze Cake

A moist citrus loaf cake - perfect with a cup of evening tea

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients

3 Eggs
1 cup Sour Cream or Yogurt*
1/2 cup Olive Oil**
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
zest of 2 oranges
1 1/2 cup Flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Soaking Syrup

1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon sugar

For the Orange Glaze

1 cup Icing Sugar
2 tablespoon Orange Juice

Instructions

For the Cake

1. Prepare a loaf pan, 8x3 inches is recommended size. Grease well with butter and lightly dust with flour.

Do this properly since the cake has no butter and it might get stick.
Place a parchment or baking paper at the bottom to be sure that it doesn't stick.
Add all ingredients in a food processor except flour and process until mixed well.
Add in flour and pulse gently until just mixed.
Alternately, you can repeat the above process with a hand-beater.
Pour the batter in prepared pan and level it.
Bake for about at 325 F for approximately 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Wait for 10 minutes before turning it out on the plate.

For the Syrup
Heat both together until sugar is dissolved for about 5 minutes and the syrup is clear.
Cool it and pour over warm cake to soak.

For the Orange Glaze
Mix together powdered sugar and juice until uniform glaze is obtained. Don't thin it out, just warm it slightly if its too thick.

Syrup and Glaze are optional, use glaze if you have to choose one.

Notes

* you can use normal full fat yogurt or even greek yogurt.
** You can use combination of extra virgin olive oil and any other mild tasting vegetable oil