Olive Oil Cake Recipe
Vermouth citrus rosemary glaze
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Cake
Vermouth Citrus Rosemary Glaze
Finish (optional)
Method
Cake
Prepare oven and pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan (or a 9x5-inch loaf pan) and dust lightly with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, tapping out the excess.
Dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt until evenly combined.
Wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk 1 cup granulated sugar with the 3 large eggs until slightly thickened and pale (about 1–2 minutes). Add 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons whole milk, 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons lemon zest, 1 tablespoon orange zest, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Whisk until smooth and homogenous.
Combine batter
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. The batter should be thick but pourable—if it seems very stiff, add 1 tablespoon milk. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Cool briefly
Remove cake from oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes. Meanwhile prepare the glaze. After 10–15 minutes, invert the cake onto the rack (if using a springform or round pan) or leave in loaf pan if preferred and poke the warm cake all over with a skewer or fork to allow glaze absorption.
Vermouth Citrus Rosemary Glaze
Infuse vermouth
In a small saucepan combine 1 cup dry vermouth and the 2 rosemary sprigs (lightly bruised with the back of a knife to release oils). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and simmer for 4–5 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes off the heat to intensify rosemary flavor.
Make syrup
Strain the vermouth to remove rosemary sprigs and return the liquid to the saucepan. Add 1 cup granulated sugar and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the syrup thickens slightly, about 6–8 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons orange juice. If using, whisk in 1 tablespoon unsalted butter off the heat for a glossy sheen. Allow the glaze to cool slightly (warm, not hot).
Glaze cake
Place the warm cake (still in pan or on rack over a tray) and spoon or brush the warm vermouth glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to soak into the cake. Use all or most of the glaze—reserve 2–3 tablespoons for serving if desired. If the cake cooled too much and glaze thickened, warm the glaze slightly to pourable consistency.
Finish
Set and serve
Let the glazed cake sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to allow the syrup to absorb. If desired, dust with 2 teaspoons powdered sugar and garnish with an extra rosemary sprig before slicing. Serve at room temperature. Leftover cake keeps covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; bring to room temperature before serving.