Lemon Basil Olive Oil Cake with Poppy Seeds

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A moist, fragrant cake infused with fresh lemon zest and basil, enhanced by nutty poppy seeds and a tender crumb from olive oil. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 8 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch round cake pan, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp poppy seeds until evenly combined.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 3 large eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil while mixing on low speed, then add 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract; mix until just combined.
  5. Step 5: Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet mixture with a spatula until no streaks remain.
  6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Step 7: Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Related recipes