- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup California Olive Ranch extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon to grease the pan
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Powdered sugar, optional
Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of California Olive Ranch extra-virgin olive oil into a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan and coat the bottom, sides and edges. Line the pan with parchment paper, trimming the edges as necessary but leaving enough overhang to create ‘handles’ that will make it easy to remove the cake from the pan. Rub the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil along the paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, sugar, olive oil and lemon juice until combined.
Scrape the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk again until smooth and there are no lumps. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until browned. A cake tester inserted in the middle of the cake should come out clean once it’s finished.
Allow cake to cool for at least 30 minutes, then carefully lift it out of the pan with the edges of the parchment paper. Cool for another 30 minutes on a cooling rack. Move to a serving plate or cake platter and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Chef's Note: A pound cake is traditionally made from butter, but the use of oil lightens it up a bit and creates a spongier texture. It is perfect for a plop of whipped cream or ice cream. Instead of grapeseed oil or the usual vegetable oil, olive oil would slide into the equation. Unlike grapeseed oil or vegetable oil which are neutral in taste, the olive oil lingers and floats through each bite. You can even smell it as you bring the a forkful of cake to your lips. It’s a warm, fruit and pure aroma that hits you and travels through your taste buds. It is a great way to finish off a meal. As olive oil goes so well with sweet and savory ingredients, this would be a very simple cake to modify with other notes of citrus, liquors, or even herbs and spices. You should also remember that olive oil is a healthy lipid that is beneficial to your cardiovascular system, bone structure, brain function, smooth digestion and also as an anti-inflammatory. These are all perfect reasons to try pouring olive oil into your mixing bowl every once in a while.
Recipe courtesy of Chrystal Baker