I love welcoming spring with a lemony dessert, and this Vegan Lemon Olive Oil Cake certainly fits the bill. It’s bursting with a bold and zingy sweet-yet-tart lemony flavor complemented by fruity extra virgin olive oil. And the texture is the best combination of moist and fluffy!
This cake is easy to make and features everyday ingredients, so now you have no excuse to not make it :) You can serve it plain for an afternoon snack or even breakfast, or spruce it up for a special occasion with the strawberry compote and macerated strawberries (it’s simpler than it sounds!)
This post is sponsored by ALDI USA. Thank you for supporting the brands who help make my work possible!
Why you’ll love this lemon olive oil cake
10 simple everyday ingredients. This cake requires just 10 simple ingredients (10 ingredients even if you make the strawberry topping!). And you can find all of these baking essentials at your local ALDI store at great prices! I always buy organic cane sugar to ensure that it’s vegan, and at ALDI, the organic label does not come with an inflated price tag :)
Tender, light, and moist. I love using extra virgin olive oil in baking for its fruity yet grassy flavor that lends complex tasting notes, but also because it yields a fantastic texture. Think a soft, buttery, and tender crumb. And unlike cakes made with solid fats like butter, this cake stays super moist and doesn’t harden or dry out. The liquid nature and high fat content of olive oil lock in the moisture!
Perfect for spring. There’s something special about welcoming spring with a fruity, zesty dessert like this, especially when it features seasonal fruit. This cake features lots of lemons (juice and zest) and a double strawberry topping. I opt for organic strawberries, and at ALDI, that doesn’t break the bank :)
Easy and rustic but elegant. This cake needs just 20 minutes of prep time and 35ish minutes in the oven. And it doesn’t require any fancy cake equipment or complicated layers. At the same time, it’s elegant and grown-up, thanks to the rich fruity background notes from the olive oil. If you’re into cakes that are balanced in flavors and not overly sweet, this sweet-yet-tart cake is for you!
Easy to dress up. While this lemon olive oil cake is delightful on its own and perfect for an everyday dessert or afternoon tea, you can easily dress it up for a special occasion, like Mother’s Day. Try the strawberry topping recipe below for a classic strawberry-lemon combo that is bursting with freshness and seasonal flavors.
How to make this cake
Add the aquafaba (chickpea liquid) to a bowl and whip with a mixer until foamy.
Combine the extra virgin olive oil and organic cane sugar in a large bowl.
Mix together the oil and sugar until well combined, then fold in the whipped aquafaba and mix again.
Add in the vegan buttermilk (oat milk + lemon juice), 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix again until well combined.
Add in half of the dry ingredients (flour + baking powder + baking soda + salt) and mix on low speed until just combined.
Add in the remaining dry ingredients. Mix on low speed, then switch to mixing in by hand.
The finished batter should be light and airy. Do not overmix!
Pour the batter into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan. Bake at 350°F/176°C for 35-40 minutes.
Allow to cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to further cool.
How to make the strawberry topping
The strawberry topping features (1) whole strawberries and (2) a strawberry compote. It’s bright, light, and sweet but not too sweet. It’s optional but a great way to enjoy strawberries as they come into season.
Wash 1 pound of strawberries. Hull the strawberries and slice in half (in quarters, if large).
Combine the strawberries, organic cane sugar, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt.
Toss the strawberries well and keep half in the bowl to macerate. Transfer the other half to a small saucepan to make the strawberry compote.
Cook the strawberries in the saucepan for 15-20 minutes, until the berries have broken down and the sauce is syrupy.
Spoon the strawberry compote over the cooled lemon cake and top with the macerated strawberries. Finish with lemon zest.
PS: If you’re looking for a more special occasion lemon cake, this new Vegan Lemon Cake is a must-make! Tender, melts in your mouth, and oh-so special!
Tips for making this vegan lemon olive oil cake
Fresh lemon juice is essential
I always recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice in cooking and baking (the flavor from the plastic bottles doesn’t compare). But it’s especially important when lemon is a key ingredient, as in this lemon cake. Plus, you’ll need the zest from the lemons so there’s that.
At ALDI, you can find 2-pound bags of lemons that are really well-priced so you can always keep lemons on hand for baking and cooking!
Zest the lemons before juicing them
Just a helpful reminder – zest your lemons first before juicing them!
Weigh your ingredients, or spoon-and-level the flour
This recipe calls for 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, but the more important part is to weigh or measure your flour properly. If you follow my recipes and YouTube channel, you know I’m a big advocate of using a kitchen scale for all baking purposes, as it yields the most exact results.
If you don’t have a kitchen scale, do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup. Instead, use the spoon and level method. Spoon your flour out of the bag/jar into the measuring cup until almost full, then use a butter knife to level it off. The latter method always leads to over-measuring flour, which can skew the results in baking. In this recipe, it will make the cake less tender and moist.
Don’t overmix
When combining dry and wet ingredients, be sure to not overmix! Mix until the batter is just combined and then stop right there!
I use an electric mixer on low speed (since I already use it for the aquafaba). I find I’m less tempted to over-mix than when using a whisk, which requires more effort.
Add the dry ingredients in two stages
I add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches to produce the best cake texture. During the first mix, the dry ingredients get coated with the fat, helping to build some structure before inundating it with lots of liquid. During the second mix, the rest of the liquid is added, and it helps in producing a light cake with even rise.
In contrast, if you were to add the dry ingredients all at once, you’d have to mix the batter more vigorously to get them to incorporate. Vigorously beating a cake batter can lead to a dense texture and less tender fluffiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of olive oil should I use for this cake?
You want to use extra virgin olive oil, not a pure or regular olive oil. I use Simply Nature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from ALDI, which is a good quality yet affordable olive oil I like to keep on hand. The flavor will differ slightly depending on the brand and type of oil used. Be sure to use an oil that you enjoy the taste of–something you’d dip bread into or serve on a salad, for instance–as the olive oil is a key ingredient in this cake.
Can I substitute the aquafaba?
Aquafaba is one of the primary methods for getting this cake so tender and light without using cake flour, so you won’t get the same results using a different egg substitute.
How do I serve lemon olive oil cake?
For an everyday dessert that you can even enjoy for afternoon tea or breakfast, serve the cake plain. To dress it up, try the strawberry topping below (I LOVE lemon and strawberry together).
Or, you can make a simple lemon glaze instead of the strawberry topping. Just whisk together 1 cup powdered/confectioners sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice until you have a thick yet pourable glaze texture. If you want it to be thinner, add more lemon juice (or a spoon of plant-based milk).
Or, simply just dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.
How do I store this cake?
If you’re making this cake plain or without the strawberry topping, store this cake in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic on the countertop for 3-5 days.
Making the strawberry topping? You can leave the glazed cake on the countertop for 1 day, but I recommend refrigerating it if your kitchen is very warm (it will stay good in the fridge for 2-3 days). If you want to extend the shelf life of this cake, store the strawberry compote and whole strawberries in the fridge, and store the cake separately on the counter. Spoon the strawberry topping on the cake as you slice it. This method keeps the cake freshest.
That’s all you need to know about making this lemon olive oil cake! Head to your local ALDI to stock up on baking essentials and if you try this recipe, leave a rating and review below with your feedback!
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Ingredients
- 2 medium-large lemons*
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) Friendly Farms Original Oatmilk
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
- 1 3/4 cups (210g) Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon (112g) Simply Nature Organic Cane Sugar
- 1/2 cup (112g) Simply Nature Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Line a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) or 8×4-inch (20×10 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some paper overhang to use as handles.
- Zest the lemons to get 1 tablespoon of zest. Set aside. You’ll use more zest to finish the cake (and if making the Strawberry Topping).
- Juice the lemons to get ¼ cup (60 mL) of juice and combine with the oat milk; set aside for 10 minutes to curdle. This is the vegan “buttermilk.”
- Pour the aquafaba into a medium bowl. Using a handheld electric mixer, whip the aquafaba on medium speed for 45-60 seconds, until uniformly foamy. Wipe the bowl out to use again in the next step.
- To the medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well to ensure the leaveners are well-combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar and olive oil. Mix using the electric mixer until well combined. Add in the whipped aquafaba and mix again until incorporated. Add the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and vanilla, and mix again until combined.
- Add half of the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until well- combined. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat until almost smooth, then switch to a silicone spatula to finish combining. Important: do not overmix to prevent the cake from becoming dense. The finished batter should be light and airy.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with the spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center top (insert the toothpick at a slight angle) comes out clean and the top is lightly golden. I always check a few minutes before 35 minutes.
- Transfer the cake to a wire rack and cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Then use the parchment paper handles to lift the cake out of the pan and onto the wire rack and cool for another 10 to 15 minutes.
- If you made the strawberry topping, spoon the strawberry compote over the cooled lemon cake and then top with the macerated strawberries. Finish with some extra lemon zest on top.
Notes
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Strawberry Topping
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454g) strawberries, hulled and cut in half (or into quarters if large)
- 3 ½ tablespoons Simply Nature Organic Cane Sugar
- ½ tablespoon lemon zest
- Sea salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Toss well to combine.
- Transfer half of the strawberries to a small or medium saucepan. Keep the other half and allow them to macerate in the bowl.
- Cook the strawberries over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the berries break down and the liquid thickens into a syrup. Reduce the heat as needed to maintain a simmer.
- Turn off the heat, then stir in the lemon juice.
I love this cake! I’ve made it a few times and it always turns out great. I am interested in adding blueberries to the batter, would you make adjustment to the amount of liquid for this?
Hi Lauren, happy to hear you love the cake!
We haven’t tried this at RPL so we aren’t entirely sure if this would work. I’d suggest making the batter as is, and adding a layer of the batter to the baking dish. Then, fold the blueberries (be sure not to overmix) into the remaining batter and add to the baking dish. The bottom layer of plain batter should prevent the blueberries from sinking and becoming soggy. This is the method we use to prevent the blueberries from sinking in our blueberry muffin recipe. We hope this works!
Wonderfully moist and delicious! It was perfect at 35 minutes. I used my silicone bread pan and it came out great. I also used blackberries and raspberries. I think any fruit would work.
Awesome, Christine. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Hi Nisha, instead of flour can l use almond meal?
Hi Lisa, unfortunately not. Flour is necessary in this recipe. We hope you get to try the recipe as-written!
I have made this so many times, and it’s still a rock star recipe!
My usual alternatives to make it more “whole food plant based”:
– 1/2 flour is whole wheat, 1/2 is oat flour
– date powder instead of sugar
2 months ago I have moved to a new apartment where I don’t have an oven, so I tried making the cake in a silicon muffin mold (7) in an instant pot.
I pressure cooked them for 20 minutes with natural release for 10 minutes. After that I let them cool for 5 minutes before popping them out of the mold.
Incredible how this batter just never fails to impress! ! !
Nisha, thank you so much..!
We’re glad you are able to tailor the recipe to your needs, Dia! Happy to hear the recipe is a favorite.
Whoa, this was seriously delicious. It was a huge hit at a dinner party. I didn’t have aquafaba so I used some egg substitute. The cake is great by itself, but the strawberry topping sends it to the stratosphere.
Hi Alf, Thank you so much for such a fantastic review! Appreciate you taking the time!
What GF flour would you recommend as a sub for wheat flour in the cake?
Following. Would love to try this. Lately I’ve been baking with mix of teff flour and millet flour and getting pretty good texture. Have to try this soon
Hi Kat, unfortunately we have not tested this particular cake with gluten-free flour, so we don’t have a recommendation.
I’m making 3 cakes. Can I triple the batter recipe and divide into 3 loaf pans or is it better to mix up 3 separate batches? Thanks
Hi there, you should be able to mix them all together if you are baking them at the same time. If you are not baking them at the same time, I don’t recommend mixing all the batter together and letting it sit out, as the leavening agents will start to activate as soon as they’re mixed.
If you’re going with route 1 (baking all the pans at once), you might need to bake a little longer since the oven temperature will naturally drop lower when there are more pans in the oven (it takes longer for your oven to compensate).
Hope that helps!
Can I make everything the day before and cut the cake right before serving? If so, should I refrigerate the cake overnight?
Thanks
Hi Roshan, yes you can make the cake the day before!
Storage instructions as stated in the FAQ section:
If you’re making this cake plain or without the strawberry topping, store this cake in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic on the countertop for 3-5 days.
Making the strawberry topping? You can leave the glazed cake on the countertop for 1 day, but I recommend refrigerating it if your kitchen is very warm (it will stay good in the fridge for 2-3 days). If you want to extend the shelf life of this cake, store the strawberry compote and whole strawberries in the fridge, and store the cake separately on the counter. Spoon the strawberry topping on the cake as you slice it. This method keeps the cake freshest.
Hi Nisha
This cake is amazing – thank you so much for the recipe.
I was a bit nervous using aquafaba for the first time – but it turned out perfectly!
Your clear instructions together with the photos were super helpful.
And with the strawberry topping it looked absolutely amazing and I got lots of “wows”.
I would love to make a bigger version of this cake – any tips for that would be greatly appreciated.
Hi there! This looks great.
Some of your recipes like this one say, 8 to 10 servings – but there is only nutritional data listed once. How do we know if the calories and fat content in the nutritional info are for a 1/8th piece or a 1/10th piece ?
Why not just choose one amount for the serving size so we do not have to ask and we can match that one serving size to the nutritional info? Then we can adjust from there if we want a larger or smaller piece.
Hi Stacey, the nutrition facts are for 8 servings. And we understand where you’re coming from, sorry the nutrition facts may be confusing to you. Our provided nutrition facts are simply a rough estimate, for more exact numbers we suggest you plug the ingredients into an app like MyFitnessPal. We hope you get the chance to try the cake!