Slow-Roasted Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Honey Glaze
A moist, tender olive oil cake infused with fresh lemon zest, slow-roasted for enhanced flavor and topped with a shiny honey glaze. This mediterranean-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers (220 g) 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 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 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 2 tbsp (from 2 lemons) lemon zest
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (85 g) honey
- 1 tbsp (for dusting, optional) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until combined.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 3 large eggs with 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes using a hand mixer. Slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup (180 ml) extra virgin olive oil while mixing on low speed.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk, 2 tbsp lemon zest, 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the wet mixture. Mix until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Step 6: While the cake bakes, warm 1/4 cup (85 g) honey in a small saucepan over low heat until runny. When the cake is out of the oven and still warm, poke holes across the top with a skewer and slowly brush the honey glaze all over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Step 7: Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Optionally dust with 1 tbsp powdered sugar before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Slow-Roasted Lemon Olive Oil Cake with 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 Slow-Roasted Lemon Olive Oil Cake with 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 Slow-Roasted Lemon Olive Oil Cake with 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 Slow-Roasted Lemon Olive Oil Cake with 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.
