Save up to 20% on wellness subscriptions 🎉

Save up to 20% on wellness subscriptions 🎉

Pay with FSA/HSA and double your savings 🌟

Pay with FSA-HSA 🌟

Clean Program
Clean Program
Vegan Citrus Olive Oil Cake

Vegan Citrus Olive Oil Cake

Olive oil cake is one of those desserts that balances savory and sweet perfectly. Our version is rich and subtly sweet, with a touch of lemon to add a bright flavor. It feels perfect as a dessert topped with a bit of coconut cream or even with breakfast, toasted, and topped with ghee. No matter when you eat it, you’re sure to love this simple vegan olive oil cake recipe!

Why olive oil?

Unlike most desserts that rely on butter or processed canola oil, this dessert uses ample olive oil to keep it moist while adding the famous flavor of olive oil cake. There is a reason that the Mediterranean diet, famous for its health benefits, includes olive oil as the main staple in many recipes. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, with about 75% of the fat content being made up by a specific type of monounsaturated fat called oleic acid. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation, one of the main culprits in the development of chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer.

Heart healthy

Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants, which fight free radicals that can cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. One of the antioxidants found in olive oil is called oleocanthal and has been compared to naturally working on inflammation in a similar way as the synthetic ingredients in ibuprofen. These antioxidants fight the oxidation that can happen to blood cholesterol. The oxidation of cholesterol is one of the reasons heart disease can develop, and fighting that oxidation with a diet rich in antioxidants is an important step in promoting heart health.

In one extensive study, olive oil was the only source of monounsaturated fat that was linked with a decreased stroke risk. Both heart disease and stroke happen at significantly lower rates in Mediterranean communities, and olive oil is believed to be one of the main reasons why. While many individuals may also associate fat intake with increased body weight, olive oil has been tied to regulating body weight when consumed consistently.

To heat or not to heat?

One thing to note when cooking and baking with fats, including olive oil, is the importance of heating fats to an appropriate level. For instance, because of the delicate nature of flax oil, it should never be heated. Even moderate exposure to light and heat can cause oxidative damage. That’s why you often find flaxseed oil in the refrigerated section, in dark bottles. Ghee or coconut oil, comprised of resilient saturated fats are on the opposite end of the spectrum, able to hold up to high heat without smoking (an indicator of oxidative damage). We provide a break down to oils and their safe usage here.

Many people are tempted to save their highest quality oils for serving cold (like dipping bread or making dressings), but it’s been shown that cooking is actually the best time to use your highest quality oils. The higher antioxidant levels of high-quality oils help protect them against heat.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 tablespoon lemon zest

1/4 cup lemon juice

3/4 cup coconut palm sugar

1 cup olive oil

2 cups gluten-free baking flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and grease with olive oil. Mix flaxseed with 6 tablespoons hot water. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes, or until gel consistency forms.

Zest and juice lemon. Add almond milk, sugar, olive oil, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a small bowl. Stir to thoroughly combine. Fold in flax mixture and set aside.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Add wet ingredients to dry and thoroughly mix. Pour batter into loaf pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let the olive oil cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

Recipe and photography by Kaitlyn Noble

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like Get your veggies in these vegan carrot cake muffins

More articles you may like

fall simmer pot

Fall Simmer Pot for Wellness

Mindy Palmer

Fall simmer pots enhance your well-being with seasonal spices like cinnamon, cloves, and oranges. Learn the benefits of this natural aromatherapy for relaxation and coziness.

Read more
Love Your Gut With These Healthy Homemade Gummies

Love Your Gut With These Healthy Homemade Gummies

Mindy Palmer

Healthy gummies made with protein-rich gelatin, real fruit, monk fruit, and no artificial anything. Paleo, gluten-free, and packed with gut health benefits.

Read more
lychee smoothie recipe

Lychee Smoothie With Thai Basil for an Antioxidant Boost

Mindy Palmer

Make this refreshing lychee smoothie recipe packed with tropical flavor, creamy coconut yogurt, and Thai basil. Perfect for summer breakfasts or a healthy treat during your cleanse!

Read more
cucumber kimchi

Quick & Easy Cucumber Kimchi for a Spicy Kick

Nicole Varon

Made with crisp cucumbers, garlic, ginger, Korean chili flakes, and apple cider vinegar, this dish is both healthy and delicious. Ready in minutes, it's a must-try for your next summer gathering!

Read more
Yuzu Mojito Mocktail for a Revitalizing Summer Drink

Yuzu Mojito Mocktail for a Revitalizing Summer Drink

Nicole Varon

Try a refreshing Yuzu Mojito Mocktail, a zesty twist on the classic cocktail. This alcohol-free, sugar-free drink is perfect for summer, and bursting with citrus flavor.

Read more
finished smoothie with pineapple garnish

Adaptogenic Tropical Ginseng Smoothie for a Refreshing Energy Boost

Nicole Varon

Want to boost your energy for the day? Then this Adaptogenic Tropical Ginseng Smoothie is for you. Loaded with ginseng benefits and featuring mango, pineapple, and coconut, this revitalizing smoothie delivers a delicious taste of the tropics. Whether you’re looking for an energized start to your day or a healthy...

Read more
Clean chocolate superfood bark

Cacao-Nut Delight: Sugar-Free Clean Chocolate Superfood Bark with a Nutty Twist

Nicole Varon

Indulge guilt-free with this sugar-free clean chocolate bark recipe. Made with mindful ingredients, it's perfect for Keto, diabetic, or low-sugar diets.

Read more
3-Day Clean Diet Meal Plan

3-Day Clean Diet Meal Plan

Nicole Varon

Revitalize your gut health in 3 days with our gut cleanse diet and meal plan. Combat toxins and improve overall well-being for a refreshed and revitalized you.

Read more