Make Ahead
Maialino's Olive Oil Cake
Popular on Food52
623 Reviews
lilvalval
May 20, 2024
BEST RECIPE, STOP LOOKING AT OTHERS! lol! This is THE olive oil cake. I have tried multiple popular one, multiple times, including the Cooks Illustrated Test Kitchen one. IF you want very fluffy traditional cake like cake consistency, then this recipe is not for you (go with Cooks Illustrated). I wanted something more dense & oily (in a good way) and that is what this recipe produces...and why some people hate it. I modified nothing and every single person I have served it to (over 20) have all loved it & asked for the recipe (or leftovers to take home with them).
Marques
May 20, 2024
Totally agree — have made this about 10x. Never a fail, but always love for it and many requests for the recipe.
A lighter feeling version is possible: I separated the eggs and whipped whites first, then proceeded as normal. Final texture was not as dense, but still very moist and lovely. It disappeared at dessert, so not sure what it was like the next day!
A lighter feeling version is possible: I separated the eggs and whipped whites first, then proceeded as normal. Final texture was not as dense, but still very moist and lovely. It disappeared at dessert, so not sure what it was like the next day!
Twila K.
March 29, 2024
This is the best olive oil cake I've had!!
Nice texture and very moist without being heavy and dense.
I sometine finely grind polenta and add it in rather than almond flour- nut allergies in the family. It gives it an added, really a nice texture and yummy as well!
Nice texture and very moist without being heavy and dense.
I sometine finely grind polenta and add it in rather than almond flour- nut allergies in the family. It gives it an added, really a nice texture and yummy as well!
nancy
March 25, 2024
Please stop sending me the reviews! This is going on now for over a year and i would like to opt out but I don't see an option for that anywhere. thanks N.
swry
March 25, 2024
Nancy - looks like you can update your notification preferences by clicking the little person icon in the upper right hand corner, selecting Email + Newsletter Preferences towards the bottom of the window, and unchecking "About comments on recipes or articles I've commented on".
swry
March 25, 2024
I made this for the second time last night, holy moly! I only use about 200g of olive oil. This time I divided amongst two 8" rounds and baked for 35 minutes. Once completely cooled, I layered with a mascarpone whipped cream. Delightful! Oh, I added a splash of vanilla extract too.
Mary A.
February 27, 2024
This cake is delicious, if you can wait a day or so before eating it! Maybe it's because I'm in Florida and it's very humid here, but I ended up having to bake it for almost 30 mins more than the recipe called for. I was initially disappointed with it because while it was being baked, and even after it was done and I took it out of the oven to cool, there was almost no aroma. I cut into it as soon as the cool down was completed, and there was barely any noticeable taste.. mostly olive oil and faint orange, not very appealing in my opinion. I read all the comments though, and tried another slice the next day... MUCH better, much more flavor! And again, I tried an additional slice on day 3, and wow, even better, & there it was, both the wonderful aroma and taste of orange - perfection. What an interesting cake! It took 3 days to really develop the flavor!
Mary A.
February 27, 2024
I can't figure out how to add more to my comment above, but wanted to mention that when you pour the batter into your pan, you are LITERALLY pouring it, haha! It was completely liquid, but this is how it's supposed to be! I got scared at first and thought maybe I'd used too much olive oil, until I read a super helpful comment from someone else who said to not be scared, and that the batter is supposed to be extremely liquidy.
Rebecca H.
February 26, 2024
Made this over the weekend. Came out delicious! For those who did not like it, when I tried it a few hours after making it, both my husband and I weren't wowed by it. But when trying it a day later, the flavors had set and it was moist and delicious. I imagine the olive oil used makes a huge difference.
Twila K.
February 24, 2024
This is one of the best olive oil cakes!!!!
I added ground cornmeal (+ finer grind) cornmeal as my daughter has allergies to nuts. It was amazing!
Will try the other additives they suggested.
My go-to olive oil cake!!
I added ground cornmeal (+ finer grind) cornmeal as my daughter has allergies to nuts. It was amazing!
Will try the other additives they suggested.
My go-to olive oil cake!!
Jo
February 23, 2024
This cake was truly awful. All I could taste was the oil and some salt, even with the inclusion of orange zest, juice and Grand Mariner
sheila
February 23, 2024
I don't know what went wrong for you but having made this cake in muffin/cupcake form, multiple times, I can say it is one of the most elegant and delicious desserts ever. Make sure to use the best quality olive oil with a neutral taste.
JAG
February 23, 2024
I followed the recipe exactly. This is the first cake I’ve thrown away. I found it to be heavy, oily and salty. Yuk!
deborah L.
February 22, 2024
This was AMAZING. Made per the recipe, using in-season satsuma oranges. Baked in a loaf pan, which took significantly longer. Froze well, and I defrosted/toasted individual pieces for months.
Alexa
January 28, 2024
I didn't have Grand Marnier, so I substituted with a splash of Chambord and 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract, which I think got the job done. Yielded 2 X 9 inch diameter 1 inch depth cakes. 1 hour may have a bit too long, will try 50 minutes next time. Yummy!!
Kay
January 27, 2024
Modifications: only 1 cup olive oil, 1 cup whole milk yogurt instead of milk, reduce sugar by half a cup, no liquor but zest of lemon and a dash of lemon extract instead (in addition to orange zest and juice). Incredibly tender and perfectly sweet!
jasbneal
January 6, 2024
I've always been a bit intimidated by cakes but I thought I'd try this one considering how simple it is. I loved it! The olive oil keeps the cake moist for a long time. (It took us two weeks to finish it but it tasted just as good as when it came out of the oven!) I used a 9x2 inch pan and keeping it in the oven for an hour was a bit too long, as it was slightly browned on the edges. I probably should've started checking at the the 40 min mark. Can't wait to substitute a Japanese whiskey for the Grand Marnier and to make a layer cake version of this with coffee buttercream! :)
Jessiev13
January 1, 2024
I bought a nice Portuguese olive oil (Herdade Do Esporao) to make this cake, it is delicious! I substituted the following out of necessity: King Arthur’s gluten free measure for measure flour, 1/2 cream 1/2 milk (bc I ran out of milk:), and 1/2 tsp of orange extract instead of the grand marnier. Also reduced the sugar to 1 1/2 cups, it was enough for me! Fantastic! I’ll make this again and again! Excited to try it with the Grand Marnier next time!
Andrea
July 20, 2023
As a non baker this is a simple, not overly sweet recipe that I often make for guests and holidays. Leftovers make a great breakfast treat!
Redonna
July 19, 2023
I made this cake for my daughter's birthday. She loved it. My next door neighbor is still raving about it being the best cake he ever had. Easy to make and soon moist.
ALLISON
July 12, 2023
I love this cake! We even had Olive Oil cake at our wedding from how much we love this one. I like to play with the recipe as it is very forgiving and still delicious every time. A little extra Grand Marnier sometimes, yogurt instead of whole milk, some cardamom, orange and lemon zest (wild, I know), half almond flour.. etc. This recipe is easy and fun, making a perfect birthday cake or snack with tea.
Tiffany B.
May 29, 2023
I made this cake today and, from what I tasted of the crumbs left when I released it from the springform pan, it's delicious and surprisingly not too sweet. I will say that you should unlatch the springform earlier than the half-hour resting time because mine became glued shut due to the sugar. The cake cracked because I used too much force getting it released during the remainder of the cooling period. It's okay, though, as powdered sugar will cover it.
Other notes: Measure using a food scale (grams) because the weight varied significantly from when I just used measuring cups (yes, I always spoon the flour in properly after fluffing it up). If you are not using Diamond Kosher, measure your kosher salt by grams too. It's 5 grams for the amount stated in the recipe.
Lastly, I took the advice given and emulsified the oil with the yolks. I whipped the whites and folded them into the batter after the dry ingredients were added.
Do not fear; this looks like soup when you put it into your pan. After I cooked it for the full hour, it was perfect!
Other notes: Measure using a food scale (grams) because the weight varied significantly from when I just used measuring cups (yes, I always spoon the flour in properly after fluffing it up). If you are not using Diamond Kosher, measure your kosher salt by grams too. It's 5 grams for the amount stated in the recipe.
Lastly, I took the advice given and emulsified the oil with the yolks. I whipped the whites and folded them into the batter after the dry ingredients were added.
Do not fear; this looks like soup when you put it into your pan. After I cooked it for the full hour, it was perfect!
Diji
May 1, 2023
As stated repeatedly, this could not be simpler or quicker, and it is possibly the best cake we have ever had!
The rest of my family must all eat gluten-free, and my daughter dairy-free as well. ;-(
So, I subbed Namaste brand Organic GF Flour mix for the flour, and oat milk for the milk. Instead of Grand Marnier I used all citrus juice: combination of orange, lemon and lime, as well as the same combo of zest (probably more zest than the original recipe calls for. I did decrease the oil and sugar slightly (and could probably reduce both further) so....I guess I didn't make this recipe EXACTLY....
In any case, absolutely superb and divine!
Next time, I am going to try it in a sheet pan instead of a cake pan. The absolute best part of the cake is the chewy, caramelizy [sic] crust, so if I can maximize that - and get 4 CORNER pieces to boot - what in the world could possibly be better?! (Anybody else tried this already?)
The rest of my family must all eat gluten-free, and my daughter dairy-free as well. ;-(
So, I subbed Namaste brand Organic GF Flour mix for the flour, and oat milk for the milk. Instead of Grand Marnier I used all citrus juice: combination of orange, lemon and lime, as well as the same combo of zest (probably more zest than the original recipe calls for. I did decrease the oil and sugar slightly (and could probably reduce both further) so....I guess I didn't make this recipe EXACTLY....
In any case, absolutely superb and divine!
Next time, I am going to try it in a sheet pan instead of a cake pan. The absolute best part of the cake is the chewy, caramelizy [sic] crust, so if I can maximize that - and get 4 CORNER pieces to boot - what in the world could possibly be better?! (Anybody else tried this already?)
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