Today I share my mother-in-law's famous apple olive oil cake recipe. This is one of my all-time favorite afternoon snacks, and a delicious example of a Spanish cake. The moist, delicate olive oil cake and tart apple flavor are the perfect combination!
If you love Spanish cakes, don't miss these recipes for chocolate olive oil cake and tarta de Santiago.
Introduction
The first time I tried this delicious Spanish apple olive oil cake was many years ago when I had a bad case of the flu. I barely knew my mother-in-law at the time (my now-husband and I had just started dating), but since he had to work long days I went to stay with my in-laws, and Antonia nursed me back to health!
One of the first things I could eat was this apple olive oil cake. It was actually brought over by my mother-in-law's best friend-- but since then we've made the recipe our own!
The best thing about this apple olive oil cake recipe is how simple and quick it is to make. Most likely you already have the ingredients on hand!
Ingredients
Curious what ingredients you need to whip up this Spanish apple olive oil cake? Grab these key ingredients, and you'll be ready to start baking!
- Olive Oil: The quality of the olive oil makes a huge difference. I'd recommend using a good quality extra virgin olive oil for this recipe; preferably something with a fruity, nutty flavor. The more delicious the olive oil, the more delicious the cake!
- Apples: I always use green apples when I bake because I think their tartness plays nicely with anything sweet. But feel free to use the apple of your choice.
- Sugar/Sweetener: You can sweeten this cake with sugar or with a mix of sugar and honey. You could also substitute some brown sugar or molasses, and reduce the sugar by â…“ if you don't like your cakes too sweet.
- Flour: I love mixing less refined flours into my cakes. Here I use ¼ cup of spelt flour, but you could use whole wheat flour or simply stick with 100% all-purpose flour or cake flour.
- Cinnamon Crumb: You'll notice I've included the instructions for an optional cinnamon crumb. This is not traditional, but sometimes I'm craving something sweet and apples and cinnamon is a delicious combo! But if you'd like a lighter snacking cake, omit the crumb for delicious results.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Apple Olive Oil Cake
If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.
- Grease and flour a 9.5-inch (24 cm) cake pan. (image 1)
- Mix together the two kinds of flour, salt, and baking powder. (image 2)
- Beat the sugar, honey, and eggs with a blender for 2 minutes, or until well combined, then whisk in the Greek yogurt on low speed. (image 3)
- Add the olive oil, drizzling it in slowly while the mixing is running on low. (image 4)
- Fold in the dry ingredients with a spatula, being careful not to overmix. (image 5)
- Fold in the diced apple until blended. (image 6)
- Mix the crumble ingredients together to form a paste. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and top with the crumble. (image 7)
- Bake the apple olive oil cake at 375°F (190°C) for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes, slice, and enjoy! (image 8)
Recipe FAQs
It depends, but in recipes that call for vegetable oil you can always substitute olive oil. If you don't want a strong olive oil taste, make sure to opt for a more subtle variety. But if you'd like a stronger flavor there are plenty of delicious olive oils to choose from.
Cakes baked with olive oil tend to be moist and light with an even crumb. The olive oil can also give a subtle flavor and aroma, but it will depend on the variety used. Olive oils range in flavor depending on the variety of olive they are made from. Some are quite neutral (perfect for baking when you don't want to taste the oil) and others give a beautiful fruity, nutty, or even spicy flavor. Note that these can be overpowering if that is not what you had in mind.
Yes, especially if you are using extra virgin olive oil. Butter is an animal fat and contains a lot of saturated fat that is not heart healthy. Olive oil, on the other hand, has significantly less saturated fat and is high in monounsaturated fatty acids (the type that help lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol). Olive oil has lots of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties as well.
Serve
This cake can be enjoyed any time of day as a snack, warm or cold, I'd recommend it with a steaming cup of café con leche, or if you want a really sweet afternoon pick me up, a glass of Spanish hot chocolate.
There's also something about this cake that makes it one of my go-to picnic cakes. It's the perfect cake to wrap up and take on the go!
Expert Tips
- If you don't have spelt flour, add another ¼ cup of all purpose flour.
- Don't want to use honey? Add another ¼ cup of granulated sugar.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter, or the cake may be tough.
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Apple Olive Oil Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Olive Oil Cake
- 1 ½ cups cake flour or all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup spelt flour or additional cake flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup honey optional
- 3 large eggs
- 1 scant cup full-fat unsweetened Greek yogurt
- â…” cup Spanish extra virgin olive oil I used a fragrant hojiblanca
- 1 large green apple finely diced
- powdered sugar to top the cake unless making the crumb below
Optional Crumb Topping
- ¼ cup butter at room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), and then grease and flour a 9½ inch (24 cm) cake pan.
- Mix together the flour, spelt flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium sized bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the sugar, honey, and eggs on medium-high speed with a hand mixer for about two minutes. Then, whisk in the Greek yogurt on low speed.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while mixing the batter on low.
- When combined, fold in the flour mixture by hand using a rubber spatula. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined; you don't want to overmix.
- Fold in the diced apple until incorporated, then pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Crumb Topping (Optional)
- For the crumb, in a small bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, and sugar.
- Add the room temperature butter and mash with the back of a fork to make a chunky paste with plenty of crumbs.
- Sprinkle the apple olive oil cake with the crumb topping.
Baking
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) oven for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with only a few crumbs.
- Let the cake cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the cake pan. Right before serving dust with powdered sugar (unless you used the crumb topping, in which case the additional sugar isn't necessary!).
- Slice and serve. Enjoy while fresh and warm!
Notes
- If you don't have spelt flour, add another ¼ cup of all purpose flour.
- Don't want to use honey? Add another ¼ cup of granulated sugar.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter, or the cake may be tough.
Nutrition
Photography by Giulia Verdinelli
Rebecca
Delicious! I didn't have spelt flour but used a little buckwheat and then 50/50 white and wholemeal flour. I also added an extra half an apple as I love apples in cakes! Otherwise didn't change a thing. We have just returned from a trip to Spain and I made it for the kids and staff at my 4-year-old's kindergarten on her first day back. Everyone loved it, kids and adults! It was just amazing. I did make it with the crumb, which was also delicious. What a fantastic recipe!! Thank you!
Heather
Can Harina de Trigo be used please?
Lauren Aloise
Yes! Go for it.
Laura
Una tarta muy deliciosa!!!
Beanie Beard
Have just made and enjoyed a slice of your amazing Apple Olive Oil Cake.
Thank you so much for the recipe.
I actually used two medium apples, Pink Lady.
We live in East London, South Africa.
Sergio
Can’t wait to make this! Thanks for sharing.
Justine
Hi Lauren, What is cake flour called in Spain? And spelt flour? Can that be bought in Mercadona or another chain like that? THANKS! I've made a few recipes here lately! Loved them all!
Lauren Aloise
Harina de reposterÃa is pastry flour and harina de espelta is spelt flour. And you'll find them everywhere! I buy mine in Carrefour. Happy to help!
Reserva Ibérica
Very good (muy buena receta)! I rated it 5 stars as it's a recipe I've always liked. Thanks for the post 🙂