by Traci · Post Updated: Nov 19, 2025

Easy Orange Olive Oil Cake

Name: Easy Orange Olive Oil Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 cups All Purpose Flour; 1 cup Sugar; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1 teaspoon Sea Salt; 3 Eggs; 1/2 cup Orange Juice; 1 Navel Orange (zested, halved, and sliced thin); 2 tablespoons Orange Liqueur (optional); 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 3 tablespoons Milk (or heavy cream); 1/2 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips

5 from 15 votes

Total 1 5

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Orange olive oil cake is a ridiculously tender cake with velvety chocolate topping. Enjoy the quick prep, citrusy flavor, and simple elegance.

Orange olive oil cake on white plate with chocolate ganache topping and orange zest, garnished with folded fresh orange slices.

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Get ready to indulge in the ease and elegance of my delectable orange olive oil cake recipe. Whether you're a rookie or an OG baker, this dead simple recipe elevates your dessert game with its irresistible combination of orange citrus and rich chocolate. Oh my!

No electric mixer is needed—just a mixing bowl, a whisk, and basic baking tools. The ingredients are readily available, too! I'm telling you, anyone can make my orange olive oil cake!

This recipe is inspired by Penelope Casas' La Cocina De Mama. While her orange olive oil cake does not call for chocolate ganache, we all know that the flavor combination of oranges and chocolate is irresistibly tasty.

Table of Contents hide

1) Why use olive oil in a cake?

2) Ingredients for orange olive oil cake

3) How to make this recipe

4) My test kitchen recipe tips

5) More desserts you'll love

6) 📖 Recipe

7) Easy Orange Olive Oil Cake

Why use olive oil in a cake?

Olive oil brings a rich and nutty flavor profile to baked goods while also boasting the benefits of antioxidants and healthy fats. This makes it a desirable alternative to conventional oil and is especially popular with the Mediterranean diet. Plus, using olive oil in a dessert like this orange cake recipe is a delicious way to try out flavors from the Mediterranean region.

Inside slice of orange olive oil cake with chocolate ganache topping.

Ingredients for orange olive oil cake

All Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cake.
Sugar: Sweetens the cake and contributes to its moistness and tenderness.
Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise by creating bubbles in the batter.
Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and neutralizes acidity.
Sea Salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
Eggs: Act as a binding agent and provide structure and richness.
Orange Juice (2 oranges, juiced): Adds natural orange flavor and moisture to the cake.
Orange Liqueur: Intensifies the orange flavor and adds a hint of sweetness.
Fresh Orange Zest (1 orange, zested): Adds bright citrus flavor and aroma.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds depth.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides moisture, richness, and a unique flavor to the cake.

Ganache ingredients:

Semisweet Chocolate Chips
Heavy Cream or any dairy milk: Adds richness and moisture to the batter.

Labeled mise an place ingredients for orange olive oil cake.

How to make this recipe

Cake batter tip: Room-temperature ingredients will ensure a smooth batter.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch bundt pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with a handful of thinly sliced oranges, if desired.

Very thinly sliced orange pieces on a cutting board.

Bundt cake pan with very thinly sliced orange pieces placed throughout.

Place flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. In another mixing bowl, whisk eggs until well beaten. Add orange juice, orange liqueur, orange zest, vanilla, and olive oil.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and whisk until the batter is very smooth. Pour batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 50 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean. Transfer the cake to a cooling rack for 30 minutes.

Orange olive oil cake batter in a bundt cake pan.

Golden brown orange olive oil cake in a bundt cake pan on a cooling rack next to gray linen.

Invert the cake onto the cooling rack and cool to room temperature. Transfer cake to a serving plate.

Undecorated orange olive oil bundt cake on white plate.

You can serve this cake exactly as it is, sprinkled with powdered sugar for a classic olive oil cake. Or, as indicated in my recipe, make a chocolate ganache to drizzle over the cake. Then garnish with thinly sliced oranges and orange zest.

My test kitchen recipe tips

Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth batter.
Olive oil - I prefer extra-virgin olive oil for olive oil cake but feel free to substitute any neutral-flavored oil in equal amounts.
An electric mixer isn't required, but you are welcome to use one.
The cake pan size is important. Use my recommended sizes in the "Equipment section" located on the recipe card.
Feel free to skip the ganache topping on this orange cake and opt for a dusting of powdered sugar for a more traditional finish.
I will always recommend the use of an oven thermometer to ensure a correct oven temperature for consistent results.

Close up side view of sliced orange olive oil cake with chocolate ganache topping.

More desserts you'll love

📖 Recipe

More Easy Dessert Recipes

About Traci

I’m the recipe author, photographer, and videographer behind The Kitchen Girl food blog established in 2013. I test and share all of my original recipes here so you can make great food with simple ingredients for everyday meals and special occasions.

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