A bright, tender loaf infused with extra virgin olive oil and Greek yogurt- this Lemon Olive Oil Loaf Cake is full of citrus flavor, deeply nostalgic, and inspired by a life transformed in Greece.
A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
Lemon was where it all began.
Ten years ago, I published the very first recipe on this blog- a lemon poppyseed muffin. That post marked the beginning of ful-filled, born from a simple but passionate search for the perfect lemon poppyseed muffin recipe. What followed was the creation of a virtual space to share the recipes and stories that inspired me most.
Back then, I didn’t know just how much would change. I couldn’t have imagined where this path would lead- or how deeply my creative work would come to mirror my inner life.
Today, I’m sharing another lemon recipe. But this time, it comes from a different place- both literally and spiritually.
INSPIRED BY LIFE IN GREECE
This Lemon Olive Oil Loaf Cake is infused with mild, buttery Greek olive oil and creamy Greek yogurt. It’s bright, tender, and subtly complex. But more than that, it’s a symbol of the woman I’ve become- of the evolution that has taken shape over the last three years since I made Greece my home.
Greece is where I came to start again.
To heal. To rest. To listen more deeply.
To discover myself- beyond the expectations, the old stories, the striving.
In this sun-drenched land of history and myth, I’ve been softened and shaped. And it’s from this place of becoming that I now create. My reasons for sharing recipes have shifted, too. They are no longer driven by perfection or performance. Instead, they are offerings- born of experience, place, and transformation.
And so, sharing this lemon olive oil loaf cake is a kind of full-circle moment.
A return, yes- but also a renewal.
A reflection of what remains, and of what has changed.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS OLIVE OIL LEMON LOAF CAKE
- Bright lemon flavor from both zest and lemon oil (or extract)
- Moist, tender texture thanks to extra virgin olive oil and Greek yogurt
- Simple and elegant– perfect for any season
- One-bowl recipe with minimal cleanup
- Naturally dairy-free adaptable– simply substitute a high-fat dairy-free yogurt in place of the Greek yogurt
BAKING WITH OLIVE OIL
Using olive oil in baking not only enhances moisture but adds a subtle richness and depth of flavor that butter simply can’t. That said, choosing the right extra virgin olive oil matters.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN OLIVE OIL FOR BAKING:
- Mild & buttery flavor: Avoid intensely peppery or grassy oils.
- Golden in color: Indicates a softer flavor profile, perfect for sweets.
- Late harvest oils: These tend to be more mellow than early-harvest, which are often bitter or pungent.
- High-quality extra virgin: Look for cold-pressed oils with a smooth finish. Greek olive oils are often ideal.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This loaf is more than a dessert- it’s a piece of my journey.
It holds within it the flavors of the place I now call home and the essence of the woman I’ve become.
As I continue to share recipes, stories, & experiences, they will be shaped by the places that have marked me- starting here, with lemons and olive oil and the quiet magic of Greece.
May this cake brighten your table as it has brightened mine.
LEMON OLIVE OIL LOAF CAKE
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8x4″ loaf 1x
Description
A bright, tender loaf infused with extra virgin olive oil and Greek yogurt- this Lemon Olive Oil Loaf Cake is full of citrus flavor, deeply nostalgic, and inspired by a life transformed in Greece.
Ingredients
FOR THE LOAF CAKE:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (zest of 2 lemons)
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113g) olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract (1/4 tsp lemon oil)
- 3/4 cup (200g) full-fat Greek yogurt (a thick, high-fat dairy-free yogurt can be substituted)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric, (to give loaf extra color)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- (240g) 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
FOR THE ICING:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
FOR THE LEMON LOAF:
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Prepare a 1 pound loaf pan (8×4-inch) with baking spray and a piece of parchment. Make sure the parchment comes up the sides of the pan- this makes for easy lifting of the loaf when it is done baking.
- In a mixing bowl, add the sugar and lemon zest. Using your fingers, rub the sugar and lemon zest together. This will help release all of the flavorful oil from the zest. Next add in the eggs. Whisk the eggs with the sugar until pale in color, about 1 minute.
- Next, add in the olive oil, vanilla extract, lemon extract (or oil), Greek yogurt, turmeric, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk until smooth.
- Lastly, add in the flour and fold with a large spatula until completely combined. Use the spatula to scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure there are not any bits of flour remaining.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Transfer to the oven to bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a crumb or two.
- Use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan and allow it to cool on a rack. The cake will take about one hour to cool to room temperature.
FOR THE GLAZE:
- While the cake is cooling, make the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream and lemon juice. The texture should be thick, but still flows off of a spoon with relative ease.
- When the loaf has cooled, pour the glaze evenly over the top. Spread the glaze to the edges with the back of a spoon, gently guiding the glaze so it drips over the edges here and there. Let the glaze set until firm, this should take about 1 hour.
To serve: slice into 1/2″ slices & enjoy :)
Notes
I highly recommend using a pullman loaf pan for the best aesthetic. But a standard 8×4″ loaf pan will work as well.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Absolutely beautiful. I’m inspired to get baking! First, order a Pullman loaf pan :) Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful post, I wish you well as you continue to navigate 💛
Awww, thank you Dale. That means the world.