Italian Olive-Oil Apple Cake with Lemon Glaze

In Italian home baking, fruity olive oil often stands in for butter, lending cakes a tender crumb and gentle fruitiness. This version folds in sweet apples and finishes with a bright lemon glaze for a simple, sunlit dessert.

Serves 8 · 20 min prep · 45 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 365 cal
• 5g protein
• 48g carbs
• 18g fat

Every recipe here is free to read.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 medium Gala or Honeycrisp apples
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp whole milk

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release.
2. 2In a large bowl whisk the olive oil and granulated sugar until well blended and slightly thickened. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking fully after each, then stir in the vanilla and lemon zest.
3. 3In another bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until no flour streaks remain; the batter will be smooth and pourable.
4. 4Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Fold half the slices gently into the batter, then pour everything into the prepared pan. Arrange the remaining apple slices in a decorative circle on top.
5. 5Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the cake is deep golden, the edges pull slightly from the pan, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. 6Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack, peel off the parchment, and turn right-side up to finish cooling.
7. 7Whisk the powdered sugar with the lemon juice and milk until a thick but pourable glaze forms. Drizzle it over the cooled cake so it drips down the sides.
8. 8Let the glaze set for 10 minutes, then slice and serve. The olive oil keeps the crumb tender for days, making it ideal for packing in lunchboxes.