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Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes

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Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes by Baking The Goods
Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes by Baking The Goods.

Things feel weird and emotions are at an all time extreme. Hello Covid-19, not so nice to meet ya. This pandemic situation seems to multiply all of the feelings by 5. Life feels 5 times harder, 5 times more exhausting, 5 times more emotional. But, could the silver lining in this multiplier be that the goodness is also 5 times sweeter? It's possible that these Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes taste better due to the Corona crisis. However, I have pre-corona memories of making little lemony cakes and being pretty head over heels then too. 

Birthdays in pandemic times are also a complicated mix of emotions. And, as we get older, birthdays feel less celebratory over time. Which it just silliness, to be honest. Surviving another year should always be a celebration. Especially when everything around us seems so fragile.  

Birthdays should include cake and these Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes are a celebration in and of themselves. 

My sweet sister had a birthday this month. Like so many, she didn't get the celebration she deserves. In an attempt to bring a slice of normalcy to these strange times, I baked up these Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes in her honor. Normally, I bake up an olive oil cake in a single 9" cake pan, like my Orange Aperitivo Olive Oil Cake.

Instead, I split the batter between two 6" cake pans, baking up two little olive oil cakes this time. One for the birthday girl and one for me! That way we could both simultaneously celebrate her birthday at a safe distance. While still coming together in the sweet spirit of cake.

Key ingredients and a few tricks make these little lemony cakes extra special.

  • Limoncello, a hefty hit of lemon zest and lemon juice combine to bring 3 layers of bright, citrusy flavor to the cakes.
  • Rich olive oil cuts through the tartness of the lemon, balancing the flavors in delightful unison. The olive oil infuses the crumb of the cakes with an unparalleled level of moistness (sorry for using that word).
  • Granulated sugar is sprinkled over the olive oil cakes just before baking to give the top a slightly crunchy, sweet crust. 
Limoncello Olive Oil Cake ingredients
These cakes are simple to make and only require a handful of ingredients you probably already have lying around. Like all purpose flour, whole milk, eggs, ground ginger, olive oil and lemons. If you don't have limoncello, I highly suggest adding some to your liquor cabinet. If not, no worries, you can just use more lemon juice in its place!
Prepared cake pans
Before you even start mixing up the batter, prep your cake pans by buttering and flouring them, then lining the bottom with parchment paper. This will keep them from sticking to the pan.
sifting dry cake ingredients
Sifting the dry ingredients together helps the ingredients mix tooughroully and gives the cakes a lighter crumb when they bake.
whisking lemon zest into dry cake ingredients
Whisking the lemon zest in with the dry ingredients keeps the zest from clumping up and evenly distributes the zest.

This cake recipe is a piece of cake with a few simple tricks mixed in.

  • Prepare your cake pans by buttering and flouring them, then lining the bottom with parchment paper. This will keep them from sticking to the pan. And it'll save you from frustration.
  • Sift the dry ingredients together. This helps the ingredients mix tooughroully and gives the Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes a lighter crumb when they bake.
  • Whisk the lemon zest in with the dry ingredients to keep the zest from clumping up and evenly distribute the zest throughout the cake batter.

These Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes are rich without being overly-indulgent. They are moist without being heavy and dessert-y without being too sweet.

That spells cake perfection in my book. And these little cakes could not be easier to make, seriously. No mixer is needed for this recipe. Basically, they only take a handful of ingredients. If you don't have limoncello, it's just as good with straight up lemon. Oooh, a splash of gin could be really nice too.

mixing olive oil cake batter
These two cakes come together easily by first mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl, then mixing the wet ingredients in a second bowl.
Limoncello Olive Oil Cake batter
To finish mixing the cake batter, you simple fold the dry ingredients into the wet. So easy.

The Limoncello cakes can be made as a single 9" cake pan as well but there is something extra sweet about the smaller 6" cake pan size. A mini slice feels less formal, so cake and black coffee for breakfast feels completely acceptable.

Since this recipe makes 2 mini cakes, you can bake one for a friend and keep one for yourself!

Baking one for you and one for a friend feels like the neighborly thing to do in this socially distanced time. Otherwise, you can wrap one up tightly and store it in the freezer for later. You'll thank yourself later.

Limoncello Olive Oil Cake batter in pans
Divide the Limoncello Olive Oil cake batter evenly between 2 prepared 6" cake pans or 1 prepared 9" cake pan. Then sprinkle the top with granulated sugar to add add some crusty goodness as it bakes!
Cooled cakes
Once the cakes have cooled down a bit, gently remove them from the pan, peel the parchment paper off the back and set on a cooling rack to finish cooling.

With the bake one for a friend and keep one for yourself policy, you're sure to brighten your bud's day and lift your own spirits. These Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes are the two-fer we all deserve right now. Don't you think? 

Sugaring Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes
Even though the cakes already have a crusty, granulated sugar top, I still like to sprinkle on some powdered sugar for a soft touch of sweetness.
Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes sugar sift
Just adding a little extra magic to these already magical lemony olive oil cakes.
Sugared Lemon Olive Oil Cakes
2 Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes is better than one.
Preparing Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes
I'll go ahead and slice one of these Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes for me and save the other for my sis.
Sliced Limoncello Olive Oil Cake
6 chubby little wedges of lemony olive oil cake are the perfect snacking cake size.
Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes slice
These Sliced Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes have the dreamiest crumb and texture.
Single slice of Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes
You can enjoy a slice of these Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes just plain like this.
Slice of Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes with whipped cream and blueberries
No matter how you slice these, Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes, you're in for a treat.
Slice of Limoncello Olive Oil Cake with blueberries
Who could resist this sweet little slice of Limoncello Olive Oil Cake with blueberries?
Now serving Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes
Or serve these Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes up in style with blueberries, fresh whipped cream and a Gin Fizz Lemonade.
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Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes by Baking The Goods

Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes

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Description

These super moist & undeniably delightful Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes are simple to make but full of sunny, citrusy flavor. The tender crumb is layered with rich olive oil and a zesty burst of lemon and Limoncello.

Ingredients

Units
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - divided
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ⅓ cups extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ¼ cups whole milk (- at room temperature)
  • 3 large eggs (- at room temperature)
  • 2 medium - large lemons (- zested & juiced)
  • ¼ cup limoncello (- or ¼ cup of additional fresh squeezed lemon juice)
  • 1-2 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Warm oven to 350° F. Prep two 6" cake pans or one 9" cake pan or spring form pan, that are at least 2 inches deep (it will spill over if it is smaller) by greasing the bottom and sides with cooking spray or butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper, grease and dust lightly with flour.
  2. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, salt, ginger, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk in lemon zest. Adding the lemon zest to the dry ingredients helps absorb the oils in the lemon and keeps the zest from clumping up.
  3. In another bowl, whisk the olive oil, milk, eggs, lemon juice and Limoncello together.
  4. Stir in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans (or into a single 9" pan that is at least 2" deep). Sprinkle the tops with remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
  6. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. If using a 9" pan, bake for 50 minutes to one hour.
  7. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edge of the pan, then remove from the pan and allow it to continue cooling on the cooling rack.
  8. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with fresh whipped cream and berries or any other fruit you like, if you're into that! Or just eat it plain with black coffee. It's an amazing cake any way you slice it.

Notes

If you do not have Limoncello, simply replace with fresh lemon juice or a blend of fresh lemon juice and gin.

Serve with fresh whipped cream, ice cream and berries or any other fruit you like. Make it what you love!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: cake

Keywords: Cake, cakes, Easy Cake, lemon cake, Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes, Olive Oil Cake, olive oile cakes, Simple Cakes

Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes by Baking The Goods
Limoncello Olive Oil Cakes by Baking The Goods

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