Lemon Olive Oil Olive Oil Cake with Thyme Honey Glaze
A moist, tender olive oil cake brightened with fresh lemon zest and finished with a fragrant thyme-infused honey glaze. This mediterranean-inspired desserts (mediterranean) ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher 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 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp (from 2 lemons) lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt until combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 3 large eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thick, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Slowly stream in 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil while mixing on low speed, then add 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 tbsp lemon zest, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
- Step 5: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients with a spatula until just combined and no flour pockets remain.
- Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: While cake bakes, warm 1/3 cup honey with 2 fresh thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove thyme sprigs.
- Step 8: When cake is out of oven, poke holes with a skewer and brush warm thyme honey glaze evenly over the top. Let cool completely before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon Olive Oil Olive Oil Cake with Thyme Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Lemon Olive Oil Olive Oil Cake with Thyme Honey Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon Olive Oil Olive Oil Cake with Thyme Honey Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lemon Olive Oil Olive Oil Cake with Thyme Honey Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Lemon Olive Oil Olive Oil Cake with Thyme Honey Glaze?
Mediterranean desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
