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
Scale
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