Home » Recipes
ByTaralynn

The Best Lemon Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The BEST Lemon Olive Oil Cake Recipe

If you’ve never had lemon olive oil cake before, you’re in for a treat! This cake is light, moist, and bursting with citrusy flavor, making it perfect for dessert, brunch, or even a sweet snack with tea. Plus, it’s made with simple ingredients and doesn’t require an electric mixer—perfect for easy cleanup! This is one of those recipes you can make last minute. lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

Growing Lemons for this Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Growing lemons was a labor of love for me. My lemon tree was a housewarming gift from my brother and his girlfriend, and it took me two years of care, patience, and hope to finally harvest my own lemons. When they turned yellow this spring, I knew they deserved to shine in a special recipe—like this lemon olive oil cake.

I first fell in love with olive oil cakes years ago when I tried a slice of orange olive oil cake during a summer in East Hampton. Since then, I’ve dreamed of creating my own version with a lemony twist.

This cake embodies sophistication, simplicity, and the flavors of the Mediterranean, making it the perfect recipe to highlight my homegrown lemons.
lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

What Is Olive Oil Cake?

Lemon olive oil cake is a Mediterranean-inspired dessert made with extra virgin olive oil instead of butter. This gives it a rich, moist texture and a slightly fruity flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh lemon juice and zest. It’s not overly sweet, making it perfect for any time of day.

olive oil cake, olive oil, lemon olive oil cake, whipped cream cheese frosting, berries, dessert, 4th of july, memorial day weekend, red white and blue dessert, summer desserts

LEMON RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE:
Low Carb Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins | Gluten-Free | 3g Carbs
Lemon Poppy Linzer Cookies with Raspberry Filling
Lemon Blackberry Protein Muffins – Gluten-Free & Dairy Free
No-Bake Lemon & Chia Protein Energy Balls🍋
Low Carb Lemon Cheesecake Bars

  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert


Cake & Gardens

Here’s something funny I’ll admit: I have a secret obsession with reading blogs written by women in their sixties or seventies who love to garden, bake, and host charming garden parties with their friends. There’s something so peaceful about their stories and photos—it’s everything I dream of for my own life one day. Kyle and I often talk about buying a bed and breakfast in 15 to 20 years, where we can grow beautiful flowers, create cozy guest rooms, and treat visitors to the best coffee and desserts—like this lemon olive oil cake, perhaps made with ingredients straight from our garden.

One of our favorite things to do when we travel is stay at bed and breakfasts, so the idea of owning one feels like a natural fit. Whenever I make recipes like this, I get excited imagining that future. I can picture our guests sitting in the garden, sipping tea, and enjoying homemade treats. Even if it’s just a daydream, it makes me happy. Sometimes, I get lost in baking, and my mind drifts to that vision of the future. It’s part of why baking feels so therapeutic to me.

Lemon Olive Oil Cake at Farmer’s Markets

I’ve also made this lemon olive oil cake with a luscious lemon mascarpone buttercream for markets over the past few years, and let me tell you—it’s always a showstopper! It’s not just delicious but visually stunning, too. I’ll share some photos in this post so you can see just how gorgeous it turned out.

The lemon buttercream is incredibly easy to make! I used my go-to buttercream recipe from THIS blog post and simply added fresh lemon juice and zest for that extra zing (but leave out the almond!.) It’s the perfect complement to the light, citrusy flavors of the cake. If you’re looking for a more indulgent option, this version is a must-try! Go to the bottom of the post to see the gorgeous photos of the cake with buttercream!

  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake
  • lemon olive oil cake with lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream, lemon olive oil cake recipe, citrus olive oil cake

lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessertThis lemon olive oil cake is truly incredible, and it absolutely deserves a spot on your baking list. It’s light, lemony, and irresistibly moist (I know, I said it!). The balance of tart lemon with just the right amount of sweetness makes it the perfect dessert to bring out after dinner with a cup of tea. Or, if you’re planning a charming garden party—maybe like the one I daydream about—this cake is sure to impress your guests. (And if you are hosting, can I get an invite?)

Oh, and here’s a little proof of how good it is: I caught my husband sneaking a slice for breakfast this morning. Safe to say, this cake doubles as a delightful morning treat too!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Lemon Olive Oil Cake:

  • All-Purpose Flour: Gluten Free Flour works! 1:1
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Buttermilk
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice & Zest
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Powdered Sugar
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

Step-by-Step Instructions for Lemon Olive Oil Cake:

  1. Preheat and Prep
    Preheat your oven to 325-degrees Grease a 9×3-inch cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, and lightly spray the top with cooking spray.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients
    In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, olive oil, and eggs until smooth. Stir in the buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry
    Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix!
  5. Bake
    Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool and Serve
    Allow the cake to cool completely before removing it from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
I love recipes that can be made without the electric mixer. You only need two bowls, a cake pan, and a few stirring utensils. It makes the cleanup and baking prep so much easier and less time-consuming.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bursting with Fresh Lemon Flavor: Made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest.
  • Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to extra virgin olive oil and buttermilk.
  • Versatile and Elegant: Perfect for garden parties, tea time, or an after-dinner treat.
  • Simple to Make: Just two bowls, one cake pan, and no fancy equipment required.
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

Tips for the Best Lemon Olive Oil Cake

  • Use High-Quality Olive Oil: The flavor of the olive oil shines in this cake, so choose a good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
  • Fresh Lemons Are a Must: Bottled lemon juice won’t give you the same vibrant flavor.
  • Don’t Skip the Zest: The zest is where most of the lemon flavor comes from!
  • Serve It Your Way: Enjoy plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar, or with a drizzle of lemon glaze.

Lemon Olive Oil Cake Video

Can I make substitutions in this recipe?

  • You can swap lemon juice for orange juice to make an orange olive oil cake. Other citrus fruits like grapefruit or lime work well too.

How do I store this cake?

  • Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. It actually tastes better as it sits, as the flavors deepen over time.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

  • Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Taralynn
Lemon Olive Oil Cake is the most delicious and light citrus dessert recipe! This is an easy recipe to make that tastes so good and refreshing.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 12 Slices

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 /2 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 3 Large Eggs
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk
  • 3/4 Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
  • 3 Tbsps Lemon Zest
  • 1 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9×3-inch cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, and lightly spray the top with cooking spray.
  • In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, olive oil, and eggs until smooth. Stir in the buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
  • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix!
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before removing it from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Keyword lemon cake, lemon olive oil cake, refreshing desserts, summer dessert, spring dessert, lemon recipes, lemon olive oil cake, citrus olive oil cake, delicious cake, easy cake recipe, brunch
Tried this recipe?Leave a Rating!
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert
  • lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

How to Serve Lemon Olive Oil Cake:

  • For Dessert: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries.
  • For Breakfast or Brunch: Pair with a cup of coffee or tea.
  • For Special Occasions: Top with a lemon glaze or berry compote.

MORE CAKE RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE:
Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with Mascarpone Buttercream
Pumpkin Spice Olive Oil Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pineberry Peach Almond Cake with Buttercream Frosting
Apple Fritter Cake With a Maple Cinnamon Glaze
Carrot Cake Bars with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
The Best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe | Chewy, Gooey, and Crispy!
The BEST Frosted Banana Bread Bar Recipe!

Chocolate olive oil cake, olive oil chocolate cake, moist chocolate cake recipe, chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream, best chocolate cake recipe, dairy-free chocolate cake, gluten-free chocolate cake, italian cake, italian olive oil cake, easy chocolate cake recipe, homemade chocolate cake, rich and moist chocolate cake, how to make chocolate olive oil cake, the best chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream, easy recipe, why use olive oil in chocolate cake, moist chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, olive oil vs. butter in chocolate cake, pretty desserts, buttermilk chocolate cake, fancy chocolate cake recipe.

Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Vanilla Buttercream

lemon olive oil cake, easy lemon cake, dessert, olive oil cake Italian recipe, one bowl, no electric mixer, growing lemons, homemade lemon cake, homegrown, growing lemons, cake, dessert, easy recipe, extra virgin olive oil, lemon and vanilla, spring, pretty dessert

I keep the cake stored in the refrigerator. I love olive oil cake because it doesn’t dry out. The longer it sits, the better it gets! You could also make a lemon glaze for the top, but I love keeping it on the lighter side with the powdered sugar. The powdered sugar will sink into the cake after a while, so if you’re going to store it in the refrigerator before guests arrive, add the powder sugar dust right before serving!

I am so excited for you to try this recipe out! We currently have one piece left (Kyle is presently behind me eating some), so it looks like I’ll have to make another this weekend!

  1. Have you ever grown lemons?
  2. Have you ever tried olive oil cake?
  3. What flavor of olive oil cake should I make next?

Ready to Bake?

This lemon olive oil cake is calling your name! It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to share your creations with me—I’d love to hear how you enjoyed it.

926Shares
Posted In: Cake, Dessert, Easter, Faves, Printable Recipes, Recipes, Special Occasions, Summer Recipes

Keep Up with Taralynn

5 from 6 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate This Recipe




14 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Ok, I’ve read your blog for a while (love it!) and I’ve never commented but this is just too funny not to.
    I can’t believe there’s such a thing as olive oil cake!

    When I was 5 years old I decided to bake my first cake: chocolate.
    My mom wasn’t home but I knew the recipe by heart so proceeded mixing the ingredients until I realized we were out of vegetable oil. I thought to myself, well we have olive oil, it looks pretty similar, so went right ahead and poured it in, only to panick when I tasted the batter and it tasted almost savory because of the olive oil. So I decided to pour cans of condensed milk (lol) to mask the taste.
    My mom arrived just as I was trying to fit the metal baking pan into the microwave (because I was afraid of using matches to turn on the oven haha).
    She kept the microwave really high up on top of the fridge so we kids couldn’t reach it, but determined to bake my cake I stacked chairs on top of each other, and as my mom entered the apartment, her first view was her 5 year old on the tip of her toes on top of poorly balanced stacked up chairs trying to shove the baking pan into the microwave. She dropped everything and ran “noooooooooo” like slow mo hahaha.
    Well, that day I was going to a sleepover at my bestie, and my mom said she would bake my cake while I was out.
    When I returned the next day, there was no cake left she said, because my dad ate it all, cause it was so good.
    To this day (I’m 40 now) I don’t know if she threw it out right away, baked it and then threw it out (if it was uneatable), or if my dad really ate it all, which wouldn’t be so out of character for him at that time haha.

    So there’s my olive oil cake story for you. Maybe I was like a pioneer in this lol.

    Reply

    1. Oh, and to answer your 1st question, I used to have a lemon tree, my mom planted it and I think it was mutant because the yield was insane, my guess estimate is around 300+ lemons per year, I never had to buy any (and I use a lot) and we were always giving away baskets to relatives, friends…
      Unfortunately it was attacked by ants and they killed it! It was so fast and a year after my mom passed away too, which was so upsetting…maybe the tree was grieving 🤷🏻‍♀️

      Reply

      1. Maybe your mom needed that tree up in heaven with her 🍋 ♥️

        Reply

    2. This story made me laugh! It’s the mystery of the chocolate olive oil cake! I remember always trying to bake when I was little. I’d throw so many random ingredients into a bowl and they were AWFUL lol but my mom always pretended to enjoy them. She eventually bought me a kids cooking book so I got a little better 😉

      Reply

  2. 5 stars
    Oh my gosh!!! I made this last night and WOW!!!! SO GOOD!! It’s my new favorite… I’m making an orange one this weekend 🤣

    Reply

    1. Hi, Jennifer!

      YAY! I’m so happy you loved it. I have to make it with orange now, too! Another commenter just said they made it with orange and it was good! 😊 We bought some coconut whipped cream to add to the top yesterday and you way want to try that with the orange! Orange cream olive oil cake? yes please!!!

      Reply

  3. 5 stars
    I made this over the weekend with freshly squeezed orange juice instead of lemons and it was fabulous. I live in Florida so it was only fitting.

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Any type of lemon cake or lemon bread has my name on it. This looks delicious.

    I recently placed an order with my grocery store for pickup, and they had everything I ordered EXCEPT the slice of lemon cake I had in my cart.

    Oh the agony.

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    OMG YESSS. This looks amazing! Making a grocery list now to make for my friend’s bday brunch tomorrow. Also, pleaseeee open a bed and breakfast! I’d come for opening weekend lol. Love all your flower and baking pics. So inspiring <3

    Reply
  6. Jeff Laskowski says:

    5 stars
    I am making the cake this morning for dessert on Easter. Very interesting recipe and aromatic (lemons and vanilla)! I’ll let you know how it turns out as it is baking now.

    Reply