Mediterranean Surprise Cake
Like a blank artist’s canvas, this simple yellow cake is a perfect starting point for a multitude of dessert options. The light, moist, and tender crumb melts in your mouth. The surprise? Olive oil!
1½ cups all-purpose flour (flour made from softer wheat, like Martha White, is best)
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 eggs at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup fine-quality extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup whole milk at room temperature
Raspberry preserves or fresh berries
Powdered sugar or whipped cream
Equipment: Electric mixer
Two 8-inch cake pans
Natural gas oven
Makes two 8-inch layers.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour the cake pans; shake off excess flour.
In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Using the egg-beating attachment of your mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until the mixture is very thick and pale in color, scraping the bowl as needed.
Switch to the mixing-paddle attachment. Mix the olive oil and milk together in a cup with a spout and pour the liquid mixture in a thin stream into the egg mixture while beating at medium speed. Continue beating until the liquid has been well incorporated.
Remove the bowl from the mixer, add the flour mixture, and fold in gently until well mixed in. Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and place the layers on the racks to cool completely.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Cake with berries — Sprinkle a single layer with powdered sugar, cut into wedges, top each serving with fresh berries, with a dollop of whipped cream on the side.
Berry shortcake — Spread whipped cream over one layer, cover with berries, top with second layer, spoon whipped cream over that and decorate with berries
Jam cake — Spread raspberry or other preserves over one layer, top with second layer, spread preserves over it, and decorate with whipped cream and fresh berries