This easy lemon olive oil cake is one of those desserts that makes people happy (if cakes had emotions, this one would be all smiles). It’s a FOOLPROOF polenta cake with a bright lemon flavor that’s perfect for any occasion—from the holidays, to afternoon snacks, to weekend brunches. The simple tea cake gets a triple dose of lemon flavor from lemon zest, lemon juice and a 2-ingredient lemon glaze (oh swoon). Don't miss the step-by-step VIDEO below.
Thank you to Bob’s Red Mill for sponsoring this post! I was compensated for this post, but all opinions and recipes are mine alone. Thank you to all of the companies who help keep From Scratch Fast cooking!
Lemon olive oil cake
I love baking with olive oil, which gives this cake an ultra moist texture. You can use any extra virgin olive oil you have on hand, but just be sure it’s fresh (it should smell fruity, not musty).
Gluten free lemon almond cake
The cake is made with just Bob’s Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour and Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal, making it naturally gluten free. The almond flour gives the cake a supple texture, while the cornmeal provides a subtle crunch and a beautiful golden yellow color.
I prefer using the medium grind cornmeal in this cake as opposed to coarsely ground cornmeal or polenta, as it lends a lovely crunch without being gritty.
Dairy free polenta cake
You can easily make this cake dairy free by using an unsweetened nut milk, soy milk or oat milk.
How do you make lemon olive oil cake?
- In a bowl, whisk together almond flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract and almond extract.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then transfer the batter to a greased and lined 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake the cake until it's golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (about 35-38 minutes). Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then remove the springform sides. Cool the cake completely.
Easy lemon glaze
The cooled cake is drizzled with a two ingredient lemon glaze (made with just lemon juice and powdered sugar), giving it a touch more sweetness and delicate crunch on top.
Baked lemon slices
I love to garnish this cake with caramelized baked lemon slices, but they’re completely optional! They're a cinch to make and can be baked at the same time as the cake.
How do you serve lemon olive oil cake?
This lemon olive oil cake is luscious enough to serve all on its own, but if you want to gussy things up you can add a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
FAQs
Yes! This lemon polenta cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days (it gets even better with time).
Olive oil provides moisture and and a subtle fruity flavor.
No! This cake is made with Medium-Grind Cornmeal instead of coarsely ground cornmeal/polenta, which provides a sweet flavor and subtle crunch without being gritty.
Tips for making this cake:
- I prefer to use Bob's Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal instead of coarsely ground cornmeal or polenta in this cake. The medium grind cornmeal provides a sweet flavor and subtle crunch without being gritty. It also gives the cake a beautiful golden yellow color!
- Bob's Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour gives the gluten free cake an ultra tender texture.
- The cake is baked in a 9-inch springform pan. You can use a deep 9-inch cake pan instead, if you don't have one.
- I love using an inexpensive kitchen scale when baking, which is easier than using measuring cups (with less dishes!) and also more accurate (especially when working with gluten free flours).
- For a naturally sweetened lemon cake, you can use coconut sugar instead of cane sugar, but the cake will be dark in color.
- For a dairy free cake, use unsweetened nut milk, soy milk or oat milk.
- The glaze gives this cake a touch of added sweetness and crunch. It's a very thin layer of glaze (if you prefer more glaze, you can double the recipe).
- Baked lemon slices are an easy (but optional) garnish, or you can try these candied lemon peels (from this lemon pie recipe) instead!
*This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you for supporting From Scratch Fast!
For another variation, try this Orange Olive Oil Cake (pictured below)!
Other gluten free desserts you might like:
- Creamy Lemon Pie
- Gluten Free Crepe Cake
- Lemon Pudding Cakes
- Easy Orange Cake Recipe
- Healthy (Easy!) Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- No Bake Mascarpone Cheesecake
- Easy Strawberry Galette
Watch the video!
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Get the recipe!
Lemon Olive Oil Polenta Cake (Gluten Free!)
Equipment
- 9-inch springform pan (or 9-inch cake pan)
Ingredients
- Cooking spray or olive oil, for pan
Dry ingredients
- 2 cups (220g) Bob’s Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour
- ¾ cup (115g) Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Wet ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk (or dairy-free soy or nut milk)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup (160g) organic cane sugar (or regular granulated sugar)
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ - 2 medium lemons)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Lemon Glaze (optional)
- ½ cup (60g) confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Baked lemon slices for garnish (optional), see Notes below
Instructions
Prepare the pan
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C) with a rack in the middle. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray (or brush it with olive oil). Line the bottom with a round of parchment paper, then spritz the parchment with cooking spray as well.
Whisk the dry ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Bob’s Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour, Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal, baking powder and fine sea salt. Use your fingers to break up any clumps of almond flour.
Whisk the wet ingredients
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, olive oil, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract and almond extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth (the batter will be quite loose).
Bake the cake
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake on the center rack until it’s until golden brown, very lightly cracked on top, and a toothpick in the center comes out clean, about 35-38 minutes.
- Transfer the cake to a rack and let it cool for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife (or small off-set spatula) along the edges then remove the springform sides. Let the cake cool completely.
Glaze the cake (optional)
- Carefully transfer the cake to a serving plate (it’s a fairly delicate cake, so take care—or just serve it on the springform base!). In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Scrape the glaze over the top of the cake, then spread it in an even layer (it will be a very thin layer of glaze). If you’d like, garnish the cake with baked lemon slices. Let the cake sit for 15 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to allow the glaze to harden before serving.
Notes
- I prefer to use Bob's Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal instead of coarsely ground cornmeal or polenta in this cake. The medium grind cornmeal provides a sweet flavor and subtle crunch without being gritty. It also gives the cake a beautiful golden yellow color!
- Bob's Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour gives the gluten free cake an ultra tender texture.
- The cake is baked in a 9-inch springform pan. You can use a deep 9-inch cake pan instead, if you don't have one.
- I love using an inexpensive kitchen scale when baking, which is easier than using measuring cups (with less dishes!) and also more accurate (especially when working with gluten free flours).
- For a naturally sweetened lemon cake, you can use coconut sugar instead of cane sugar, but the cake will be dark in color.
- For a dairy free cake, use unsweetened nut milk, soy milk or oat milk.
- The glaze gives this cake a touch of added sweetness and crunch. It's a very thin layer of glaze (if you prefer more glaze, you can double the recipe).
- Baked lemon slices are an easy (but optional) garnish, or you can try these candied lemon peels (from this lemon pie recipe) instead!
- For another variation, try this Orange Olive Oil Cake!
Wendy says
A huge success with those who need gluten-free/dairy-free and those who can eat everything. And so easy to make. Thank you for posting this fabulous recipe. I’ll be making it again!
Nicki Sizemore says
Hi Wendy, thank you so much for sharing, and I’m so happy you all enjoyed!
Sam says
Hi, I just have some instant polenta and want to use it up can I bake with it? Would it be too coarse or hard after baking? Thanks
Nicki Sizemore says
Hi Sam! If the instant polenta is finely ground then it should work as a swap for the cornmeal. If it's coarsely ground, however, it will be too grainy. I hope this helps!
Eileen says
Made this on a whim because I had all the ingredients and brought it to work. My non gluten free coworker said it’s the best lemon dessert and best gluten free dessert he’s had. Will definitely be making it again! So easy to make too!
Nicki Sizemore says
Thank you for your comment, and I'm so happy to hear this!
Donna says
Easy and elegant! Thanks!
Nicki Sizemore says
I'm so glad you enjoyed!
Charles Woodside says
Just made it again for a party my wife and I will be attending, perfect timing. I corrected 2 minor issues, finally found organic pure can sugar and I sifted the almond flour. The outward appearance is perfect. Thanks again...
Deb says
I finally made this cake, my husband said it's the best lemon cake I ever made. How could it not be with olive oil in the mix. I had almond meal in my pantry, so it's a bit more rustic I guess. I'll try it with the fine almond flour next time. Thank you for this lovely recipe with only three eggs. I can't stand to see a cake recipe with six or more eggs.
Nicki Sizemore says
Hi Deb, I'm so glad you enjoyed the cake! (And stay tuned, because I have an orange version coming soon...!)
Roxanna Iverson says
I am not able to have corn or corn meal, Is there something you could substitute for it in this recipe?
Charles Woodside says
The cake is amazing. The thought of Olive oil in a cake sounds strange but it is such a moist and delicious dessert. I am in love with it. This will be my go to cake for any party I am invited to. Thanks for the recipe. Two thumbs up...
Nicki Sizemore says
Hi Charles, I'm so happy to hear this! The olive oil really does keep the cake quite moist. Thank you for your comment!
Michelle says
Thank you for this recipe! Just made it and served with an apricot jam glazed fruit salad. So moist and delicious. The corn meal provides texture. Followed recipe exactly except poked little holes in surface with toothpick before adding lemon glaze.
Nicki Sizemore says
Hi Michelle, I'm so glad you liked the cake, and I love how you served it with the fruit salad. That sounds like a fantastic combination!
Jenny Spencer says
Nicki, this cake is out of this world amazing!!!! It's such a perfect texture, taste - such a big hit! The lemon glaze really make it! And the baked lemons are beautiful! Such a delightful lemon taste and at the very end you taste the almond and it is DELICOUS!!!!
I am so going to make this again!
Thank you for creating this!
Love,
Raine 🙂
Nicki Sizemore says
Hi Raine, I'm so happy to hear this! Thank you so much for your comment, and I hope you have a delicious start to spring!