This one layer almond olive oil cake is moist, flavorfu, and topped with a brown butter glaze and sliced almonds. Light, simple to make, and elegant for any occasion.

Almond Olive Oil Cake with Brown Butter Glaze

I know this is totally off topic–and has absolutely nothing to do with cake (other than the fact that they are both soft, fluffy, and absolutely necessary in life)–but I bought a mattress yesterday!

And by yesterday, I really mean today (because that is when I wrote this)–and by today, I mean less than two hours ago.

I’ll shut up now.

Almond Olive Oil Cake Batter

I’m not exaggerating though. Connor and I finished eating dinner last night, and spontaneously decided to drive to our local mattress place and test out new beds. Normal, right? [Said no one.]

Our current bed is roughly 100 years old–and we’ve been only complaining about it for a year. Possibly longer. So I think we sufficiently thought the decision through. It was my very first mattress purchase. It sort of felt like a life milestone.

But seriously. Buying a mattress is weird. You go into a massive room full of beds, walk around in circles, lie down repeatedly, and pretend to sleep on demand. Not to mention the fact that you also suddenly analyze your sleeping behavior (are you a side, back, or stomach sleeper?) like never before.

Weird, I tell you.

Almond Olive Oil Cake Glaze

And just when you’re content with your choice, you’re suckered into something else. Like mattress covers and new pillows.

We were total suckers.

In my mind though, those little extras are sort of the equivalent of icing on a cake. Sure, you could just eat plain cake. But it is the whole package that seals the deal.

Almond Olive Oil Cake with Brown Butter Glaze

And that is exactly what this cake is about.

This dessert is just as much about the moist, flavorful almond olive oil cake as it is about the brown butter glaze, and sliced almond topping.  It is light, simple to make, and elegant for any occasion.

Almond Olive Oil Cake with Brown Butter Glaze

Almond Olive Oil Cake with Brown Butter Glaze

4.3 stars (19 ratings)
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Yield: 8 - 10 Servings (One 8-Inch Cake)
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
This one layer almond olive oil cake is moist, flavorfu, and topped with a brown butter glaze and sliced almonds. Light, simple to make, and elegant for any occasion.

Ingredients

Almond Olive Oil Cake:

  • 1 cup (120 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (60 g) almond flour/meal
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 mL) extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 mL) orange juice or milk
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
  • zest 1 orange

Brown Butter Glaze:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar sifted
  • 3 tablespoons (45 mL) whole milk
  • fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup (35 g) sliced almonds toasted and cooled

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) with a rack in the center position. Grease and lightly flour an 8-inch cake pan. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, almond meal, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar aggressively for 30 to 45 seconds or until frothy. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking continuously with your other hand to combine them evenly. Add the orange juice (or milk, if substituting), vanilla extract, almond extract, and zest. Add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, whisking until just combined. Scrape down the bottom of the bowl to ensure all of the ingredients are incorporated evenly.
  • Transfer the batter to the greased cake pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes mostly clean, with some moist crumbs attached.
  • Allow cake to cool in the pan on rack for 10 minutes before removing. Let the cake cool completely on a rack.
  • Prepare Brown Butter Glaze: Heat the butter in a small saucepan or sauté pan over medium heat. Continue to cook the butter, stirring constantly with a spatula, until it is golden brown in color. Remove from the heat immediately - it will continue to darken off the heat. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and milk. Add the cooled brown butter and a few drops of fresh lemon juice, to taste. Stir in the toasted, sliced almonds.
  • Place the cooled cake on a rack over a sheet of wax paper for easy clean up. Pour and spread the glaze evenly on top of the cake, allowing it to drizzle over the sides. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Adapted slightly from Gina De Palma via Serious Eats.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 337kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 204mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 29g
Author: Laura / A Beautiful Plate
Course: Cakes and Cupcakes
Cuisine: American