Description
This Portuguese orange olive oil cake is a moist, fragrant dessert made with fresh orange juice, zest, and extra-virgin olive oil. It’s tender, rich, and improves with time, making it a perfect make-ahead treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Nonstick baking spray with flour
- 4 to 5 large navel oranges
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups mild, fruity extra-virgin olive oil
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and position rack in center. Grease a 12-cup Bundt or tube pan with baking spray.
- Zest 3 oranges into a bowl. Add granulated sugar and rub zest into sugar until fragrant.
- Juice 4–5 oranges to yield 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat eggs on medium-high for 1 minute. Slowly add orange-zest sugar and beat for 3 minutes until pale and thick.
- Reduce mixer to low. Add flour mixture and olive oil alternately, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- On lowest speed, drizzle in orange juice and mix until batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a tester comes out with moist crumbs. Cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly.
- Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Let cool completely.
- For best flavor, cover and let rest overnight. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use blood oranges for a deeper flavor and color variation.
- Add 1 tsp orange blossom water for a floral twist.
- Optional: Drizzle with melted chocolate for added richness.
- Store tightly covered at room temp for up to 4 days.
- Freezes well — slice and wrap individually.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
