Tender, moist, and lemony—Pastry Chef Wilson’s olive oil cake is like a pound cake, but even better. It’s perfect with a cup of tea.
You guys!! I think I have found a solution to my Starbucks lemon loaf obsession. Not really a solution to get me away from eating it, more of a solution to my excessive spending at Starbucks on this particular loaf.
I am going to make it at home. With this Olive Oil Cake recipe that I got from The Wickaninnish Cookbook, aka: my new favourite cookbook for cooking Canadian cuisine.
Did you know that there is such thing as Canadian cuisine?? I can remember last year when I travelled to Japan, they would always ask me what it was that made Canadian cuisine special. What were some signature dishes?
I dreaded these questions, because I honestly didn’t have an answer for them. I think I said poutine and nanaimo bars, but other than that I was drawing a blank. I later looked it up on Wikipedia and reading that I should add Kraft Dinner and butter tarts to that list as well.
Still, no real “cuisine” that I can see someone abroad making a restaurant for it.
But when I got sent this book from Penguin Random House, I though: this is Canadian Cuisine! If anyone ever asks me again, I may just buy them this cookbook. I can finally pinpoint what a Canadian restaurant should look like. All in one book.
This cookbook is inspired by dishes from The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino: one of my favourite places in the world! Actually, anywhere in BC is my favourite because of all the memories I have growing up there. And this book sends memories flooding back, of good food, amazing views and unforgettable moments.
There are so many great savoury Canadian dishes in this book, but I chose the least Canadian of the recipes: this Olive Oil Cake. Something that you can get in Starbucks. But now, you can spend less money on it!
The cookbook doesn’t have many images, but they DID have an image of what this Olive Oil Cake should look like. And mine looked nothing like it. Mainly because I like a really thick icing on my cake, so I didn’t thin it out too much with lemon juice. But feel free to add more lemon juice for a thinner, glossier glaze.
This is definitely happening monthly at my house, so that I can spend less money on Starbucks, but also have the pleasure of making this fantastic Olive Oil Cake recipe from an equally amazing book. Buy the book on Amazon, or enter below for your chance to win one of your own!
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Olive Oil Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 Tbsp invert sugar or light corn syrup
- 4 eggs
- 7/8 cup sugar
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- 7/8 cup olive oil
Lemon Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups lemon juice
Lemon Glaze
- 3 to 4 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two large loaf pans with parchment
- In a food processor, place the invert sugar (or corn syrup) and eggs and blend until the mixture is light and frothy. (Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.) Once the mixture starts to get fluffy, slowly stream in the sugar and continue to blend until almost white.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then sift twice to make sure everything is well combined. Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the food processor, add the lemon zest, and process until everything is combined. Continue to process and slowly add in the olive oil until fully emulsified.
- Scrape the batter into the parchment-lined loaf pans and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, make the lemon syrup: In a small pot, bring the sugar and water just to a boil, stirring often, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Pour into a heatproof bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. Stir in the lemon juice. (The lemon syrup can be made ahead of time and will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.)
- Remove the loaves from the oven and brush with the lemon syrup while still hot. Allow to cool completely.
- Make the lemon glaze: Whisk the lemon juice and icing sugar together until fully blended. The glaze should be thick but still pourable. If necessary, add more sugar or lemon juice until you reach the desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaves and allow to set for about an hour before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Giveaway time!!
One lucky reader will have the opportunity to win The Wickaninnish Cookbook. Enter below, and good luck! Open to residents of North America.
Thank you for the recipe and for the chance to win a cookbook!
Your welcome. Good luck!!
My wife will be entranced by this cake. I make the CI olive oil cake and she says it’s one of her favorites. This… lemon and iced…. thanks, Cathleen. Did you use the simple syrup or the corn syrup? Just curious.
I used the corn syrup, but I am sure the simple syrup would have been amazing!
I would like to win this for my Aunt Sally. She reads cookbooks constantly.
Sounds like she would love this. Good luck!
Omg, that look so yummy! If all the book is like that, i need to win it badly lol
The book is gold!! Good luck Alex!
Would love to win the cookbook. The cake recipe sounds amazing
It’s a good one! Good luck Amy!
I look at a lot of cake recipes, and I have to say, this one looks fantastic. Also, your photographs are beautiful! And great job with the cake – the crumb looks amazing.
Aw, thanks Jeff! I am trying to improve my photos with my intro DSLR, but I think I am getting the hang of it!
I love trying new recipes and this looks like a great new cookbook that I could add to my collection!
It’s super long, so you will not run out of things to make either 😉
It’s an interesting recipe book I don’t have anything quite like this. My mom loves to collect recipe books. We can try new things.
My grandmother was also a recipe book collector. Good luck Calvin!
I love cooking & trying new recipes.
Same here! Good luck Marlene!
It would fill a baking gap in our cookbook collection
This isn’t really a baking cookbook, but it does have some great desserts in it!
I need some new ideas
This would be perfect for you. Good luck Heather!
love trying out new things and I love cooking
Same here. This cookbook sounds perfect for you!
I’m always looking for new recipes.
This cookbook has so many!! Good luck!
I would love to win as I enjoy trying out new recipes
Who doesn’t 😉 Good luck Dawn!
You can never have enough cookbooks! I’m sure we’d find room for it.
Haha! Agreed! Even in my tiny apartment, I have room for ALL of my cookbooks 🙂
I would like some new recipes! Going back to work full time in September.
This would be perfect for you! Good luck Marlene
I have to agree – it is so hard to pin down what Canadian recipes are. This sounds like a great way to find our!
I always have trouble! This is why I love this cookbook!
I would love to win because I love baking cakes and I could do with some more inspiration.
This cookbook has so much more than cakes 😉 Good luck Alice!
Looks delicious. Would love to have a go at making this.
Do it!! It’s so easy to make 🙂
I just moved in to my first home, and have started a small cookbook collection that I would love to grow…this looks perfect!
A new place always needs more cookbooks 🙂 Good luck Hannah!
I’ve always wanted to stay at the Wickaninnish. Maybe I can cook from this cookbook instead.
Yes!! Or do both 🙂 Good luck Linda!
I would love to win this because I love rryung out new recipes and that olive oil cake looks amazing! Thanks!
You and me both. Good luck Sarah!
can’t wait to try some of the recipes. thanks
They are all so good!
I love cookbooks. and I love to find new recipes to prepare for my family !
Me too! This cookbook has something for everyone!
I would LOVE to win this for my daughter! She is learning how to cook and she would love this! 🙂
This sounds perfect for her! Good luck Tandi!
Nobody has ever said they don’t want another cookbook :).Thanks!
(The cake looks fantastic!)
Right? Can always use one. Good luck Patsy!
I would like to try some new recipes.
That’s one of the best reasons for a new cookbook. Good luck Jennifer!
I love to cook and bake. This cook book would be a wonderful addition to my collection of favorite recipes.The cake looks dreamy delicious! Thanks for the chance.
You will have endless things to cook and bake from this book! Good luck Wanda!
I would like to win this cookbook because I collect cookbooks that have regular everyday recipes that I don’t make. For inspiration or to add a new food to my rotation. Canada is not far from me, but I know there are foods I have not heard of.
This is such a great reason! Good luck Ellen!
I love cookbooks! They give me inspiration and then I want to make a delicious meal.
Same here!! Good luck Susan!
I love baking and trying new recipes and now I’m dying to try that lemon loaf. YUM!!
You must! It is one of my favourites!
Im terrible in the kitchen and need all the help I can get not to mention Im bored of everything I can cook
Hahha, I feel the same way!! Good luck Angela!
That is the most photogenic lemon pound cake I have ever seen <3 Is this quite tangy as well? I might have to try an veganise this 😀
Ooh, let me know if you do! I would love to see a vegan version!
The frosting is tangy on its own, but when eating with the cake it is SO GOOD, you barely taste the tang 😉
You can never have too many cookbooks!
Agreed! Good luck Pam!
Always love reading new recipes and trying them = the olive oil cake looks delicious
Me too. Thanks Carole, and good luck!
the inn is a well-known place for dining. would love to have the cookbook from there. thx
It’s a great addition to any collection. Good luck!
I’d like to win because I love trying new recipes.
New recipes are the best, aren’t they? Good luck Wanda!!
If there are more recipes which are as delicious as this Lemon cake, then the winner will certainly be in for a treat! It is always enjoyable to experiment with new cake recipes.
So true! There are so many great recipes in the book. Good luck Natasha!!
I love trying new recipes and readingnew cookbooks! This one looks great!
That is one of my favourite things to do 😉 Good luck Maegan!
Would love to win this cookbook for my collection, my daughter has recently become interested in baking and would be a great inspiration for her also!
I am sure it would be great inspiration! It is always good to get more books in your collection. Good luck!
have been wanting to visit the Wickaninnish Inn for a long time. having the cookbook would be a close second. thx
You can at least experience the food from home 😉 Good luck!
I’m just “Mad” about Great new Dishes to try
Haha, me too 😉 Good luck Marsha!
I would love to win this cookbook because I love trying new recipes.
Same here 🙂 Good luck Cindy!
Having grown up on the west coast I would love a chance to recreate those tastes!
Yes! That’s a great reason! Good luck Sarah!
I love baking and this book looks really delicious
It’s a good one! Good luck Sheri!
I like the Olive Oil Cake recipe you shared which makes me want to see the rest of the recipes in this cookbook!
The other recipes won’t disappoint! Good luck Hesper!
looks a good cookbook
It’s a great one! Good luck Carol!
I taught myself to cook with cookbooks so I love trying out new recipes and books.
Same here! That is a good reason as any. Good luck Michelle!
I would like to win this cookbook as I love to cook but have to admit that I am not very innovative and I know my family is bored with the same old things over and over again.
Haha, same here. Good luck Laurie!
I love trying new recipes!
This cookbook would be perfect for you! Good luck!
I would love to win this so I can try all of the delicious recipes it appears to have!
There are a lot of great ones! Good luck Kayla!
wow
I will take that as a positive wow. Good luck Rosemary!
I would love to add some New recipes my to my repertoire, thanks!
That’s always a good reason. Good luck Cyndi!
The recipe you featured looks amazing!
It’s a good one. One among many. Good luck Rebecca!
I love trying new things and new recipes, so this book sounds like a lot of delicious fun!! Thanks for running this competition.
Good luck Adrian!
What a stunning cake. My dad grew up in Canada and enjoys a lot of the cuisine. I always think of it as fresh seafood inspired dishes and lots of sweet treats. Which when I have visited Canada it pretty much was just that. Amazing cakes and pastries 😀
Haha, that is true! Mostly around the edges though. Here in Toronto, the seafood is kinda trash :p
Sounds great. Never had olive oil cake before. I have heard of it though.. Heavenly stuff.
This is the first time I made it too! You must try it sometime!
I’ve never used olive oil in my baking, this sounds very interesting and a lemony cake is something I love.
Yes, you should definitely try olive oil in your baking!
What a simple and delicious cake! It tastes moist and has a hint of lemon. It is a perfect snack for my afternoon coffee. 🙂
So glad you liked it 🙂
I am making more and more loaf cakes because it’s just the two of us now. Olive oil makes such a light and tender crumb and this cake never dries out! The recipe is definitely a keeper!
Yay! I am so glad you liked it!
I love baking with olive oil and I’ve made this cake many times! It’s so moist, fluffy, and perfectly lemony.
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear 🙂
SO many people have never tried an olive oil cake and I wish they would this one is as good as an Olive Oil Rosemary cake that I bake quite often.
Okay I am going to have to try that combo next time!
This olive oil cake is made to impress! Love the lemon flavors and that icing is perfection!
So glad you like it 🙂
I loved how moist this cake was – and delicious, of course! Mine even looks as pretty as the pictures! Saving to make again soon!
Love when it both looks pretty AND is easy to make 😉
I remember the first time I made an olive oil cake and oh my goodness what a delicious and moist cake it was! This looks wonderful with the icing…definitely a dessert to make again!
It’s one of my favorites 🙂
wow this olive oil cake melts in your mouth. It is so moist and the lemon glaze is the perfect touch. I baked a second loaf because one was not enough.
One is never enough 😉
Wow – this olive oil cake is so tasty and moist! I doubled the lemon zest for that extra flavor and it was so good!
Can’t have too much lemon zest!!
Amazing cake with simple ingredients. And lemon desserts are always a favorite of mine!
Me too! So glad you liked it 🙂