This cake is perfectly moist, decadent, fruity, and zesty. It’s a great way to end a meal, as it’s not overly sugary but it still satisfies that desire for a little something sweet. Plus, it’s simple to make and has olive oil as a key ingredient, which is known for its many health benefits. You can get creative with your cake and top it however you like. Here, I’ve topped it with coconut yogurt and organic berries. In the past, I've drizzled it with chocolate sauce (made with melted chocolate chips and a spoonful of coconut oil) and sliced strawberries. You can’t go wrong!
Olive oil is this week’s ingredient of the week! I have a little more to say on this ingredient than I typically do, so if you’re interested, read on! Olive oil is a staple in the diet of many of the healthiest civilizations, like those in the Blue Zones and those following the Mediterannean Diet. While it has many known health benefits, quality matters big time!! Extra virgin is the highest grade of olive oil, and it is made by cold pressing olives, without the use of chemicals or excessive heat. What’s a little scary is that the federal government doesn't closely regulate labeling of extra virgin olive oil, so you may not be getting extra virgin quality even if that’s what the label says. Sometimes they are laced with canola oil and other flavorings to cut costs. Some things to look for when buying olive oil:
Look for a label that says extra virgin and ideally cold-pressed.
Shop for oils that come in a dark glass bottle - this protects the oil from oxidation and becoming rancid.
Look for a harvest or ‘pressed on’ date - this usually means the source if of higher quality.
A few other things to keep in mind. Olive oil should be stored in a dark place, away from light and heat in order to prevent it from going rancid. My go-to brand for olive oil is California Olive Ranch because I think it’s the best bang for your buck. For a list of trusted olive oil brands, check out this link here! Also, extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 325-375 degrees F. The smoke point is the point when your oil starts to break down and can then release chemicals and free radicals which are harmful to your body when ingested. Therefore, I recommend cooking with high-heat oils when cooking at high temperatures, like ghee and avocado oil. Read more here.
Ingredients:
2 cups almond flour
4 eggs
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Zest from 1 lemon or orange
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet (or round 10 inch cake pan) with coconut oil or olive oil.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the almond flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, combine the eggs, maple syrup, greek yogurt, olive oil and the zest of your lemon (or orange). Use a whisk to mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir until combined, and then pour the mixture into your skillet.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Let cake cool before serving.
Health Benefits of Olive Oil:
Olive oil is made up of mostly monounsaturated fatty acids, which can lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) raise HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
It has powerful antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory
Healthy fats, like olive oil, helps keep blood sugar levels balanced and keep us at a healthy weight
It supports brain health (like focus and memory) because our brain is made up of mostly fatty acids
Olive oil can have anti-aging properties due to an antioxidant called secoiridoids, which helps reduce cellular stress.
Sources and additional reading:
