The first time I ever had an olive oil cake, or for that matter olive oil was in Mama Jeanette’s kitchen. She asked me what I wanted for dessert and I said a chocolate cake, she laughed and said “sonny boy, Mama Jeanette has just the cake for you!” When saw her add the olive oil, I tried to imagine how I would ever be able to eat that cake…..sigh……but after my first bite, my doubts vanished and I ate half the cake that night.
It’s been too many years since I have had an olive oil cake, I didn’t have Mama Jeanette’s recipe so I just did my best to stay true to the wacky cake recipe, while making the changes necessary for this wonderfully moist and delicious cake. I did take some liberties with the recipe, we are supposed to change three things about it, one was to mix it in one bowl, instead of the cake pan, and I did add a marscapone filling and a mocha glaze, but the recipe for the most part remained in tact.
The cake was excellent, as good as I remembered, and the mocha glaze was incredible, although a bit too thin for my tastes. The only disappointment was the marscapone cream, it just didn’t thrill me, I think a simple whipped cream would have been better.
I do hope you give this cake a try, I promise it will be love at first bite!
- 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 6 tablespoons cocoa
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 cup mascarpone (or cream cheese)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ Cup Greek Yogurt
- ¼ Cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons powdered instant espresso
- ¼ cup boiling water
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2⅔ cups finely chopped dark chocolate
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.
- With your mixer on low speed beat in the oil, vinegar, vanilla, and water until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the two 9″ prepared pans, coated with butter and dusted in flour or sugar.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Do not over bake the cake. It should be firm to the touch, and a cake skewer inserted in the middle of the cake should come out clean.
- Put the cake pans on cooling racks and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before removing the cakes from the pans to cool completely.
- Allow to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, combine the mascarpone, cream, Greek yogurt, sugar, salt, and vanilla and beat on medium speed until the mixture becomes thick, about 5 minutes
- stir together the instant espresso and boiling water until smooth. Set aside.
- Combine the cream and the corn syrup in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the espresso.
- Pour the mixture over the chocolate and let sit, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the sauce is very smooth.
- Keep warm until ready to use, or let cool to room temperature and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Reheat chilled sauce over very low heat on the stove top or in the microwave until warm enough to pour easily.
- Frost Between the cake layers and pour a generous amount of the mocha glaze over the top of the cake allowing it to run down the sides.
Followed this link on Twitter and am I glad I did. OMG if I could put my head through the screen you'd have no cake left! It looks yummy !
I'm definitely adding this to my cooking bucket list.
Dennis, everything about this cake is wonderful…from the olive oil in the batter to the mascarpone and greek yogurt filling to the rich glaze! I have made lazy day cakes before but NEVER this good! I am now going to have to try the olive oil and chocolate combo
!
You might not have been happy with the marscapone cream, but it looks so good nestled between those layers of chocolate. Your version of this cake sounds delicious!
what a beautiful cake!! The runny chocolcate makes me drool while resting in bed! olive oil chocolate cake? this sounds super and low fat. I don't have to feel sinful for this cake!
That looks just fabulous, Dennis! It's very similar to a "wacky" cake that I used to make years ago but had forgotten about. I think yours looks much better, though.
Oh, and that first photo? Fantastic! Wow!!
Dennis,
I always love reading your recipes. Not just looking at them, but *reading* them. Your passion and expertise comes through in an approachable way, and in addition, this is a mouth-watering creation. Thank you as always, for participating in the Recipe Swap, and I look forward to many more posts!
I've never had olive oil in a cake but this one looks so delicious I'll have to give it a try!
Dennis! This looks great! I would not have expected it to be so beautiful and I'm so intrigued with the recipe. Will have to try a gluten free version! Another awesome job.
Oh Chef! You know I don't like chocolate but even I'm drooling over that one. I'm sorry that the mascarpone was such a let down though. Would cream cheese have worked better? A bit more sugar? I do so badly want to give this a go for the family!
wow! so impressed!
i was super nervous about the swap- i love that you kept it chocolate based and you channeled your expertise!
cant wait to try this!
I'm making this tomorrow! Thank you!!
This is so perfect! I have been looking for dairy free dessert recipe for a friend of wine who's allergic. I can't wait to try this out.
OMG if that cake tastes half as good as your photos look (which I am sure it does) I am going to make it tomorrow! Fabulous photos – I'm dying to try a chocolate olive oil cake:)
Wow, all that chocolately glazey goodness dripping over the sides looks like heaven to me. I've never had EVOO in a cake before. It sounds kind of weird but I'm sure I'll be sold on it as quickly as you were! This is so easy, I'm definitely going to give it a try.
As usual, you have outdone yourself! I am a sucker for a good olive oil cake. This one, in particular, looks amazing. It looks so beautiful! Thank you for your creative and thoughtful contributions to this swap.
Gorgeous, gorgeous cake!! That's a top 9 photo if I've ever seen one!! Nicely done Dennis, I'm not much for cakes, but this one turned my head.
Wow! Would you please save a slice for me! LOL, I'd love it with a cup of tea!
My mouth is watering! Looks good! Thanks for sharing!
Christine
I am not a chocolate cake fan, and even I want a slice (or two) of that cake! It looks really, really good!
Thanks for sharing… Would love to try it out sometime!
This cake looks delicious!!! Mouth is watering for a piece.
The cake looks delicious
wish I had it now, but will definitely try your recipe 
yummy!
I have only made cake before once with olive oil but I did love it! I was rosemary and olive oil bundt cake so quite different from this one, but the texture was superb. I would love to try the chocolate version! Thanks for sharing Dennis!
What a remarkable recipe Chef. Mama Jeanette would be proud.
Mandy
that cake looks out of this world, haven't had chocolate cake in years, just might try this recipe, thanks so much for sharing! =]
Chef Dennis! I truly thank you for sharing this recipe because I've been wanting to try my hand at adding olive oil to my baking products. This cake looks so amazing and I cannot wait to try it. And the mascarpone filling? Uh huh… that's the way
I am making a peacock birthday cake for my cousin's birthday this saturday and i was looking to make a different cake since i am getting bored with my usual cake recipes. So, you have posted this recipe at the perfect time. It looks moist and so chocolately….i am sure my cousin would love it!
Gorgeous cake, Dennis! The contrasting layers and glaze make such a stunning presentation~
Fabulous cake! I love your story behind the cake. It must have been fun trying to recreate those flavors you remembered.
Just great! I love olive oil in cakes and on vanilla ice cream (I had such combination while visiting Spain few years ago and I was so impressed).
How fun, Dennis! It looks delicious too but I agree, it probably would've been better with a simple whipped cream. Mascarpone seems too dense for the cake!
Jax x
Um, YUM! You have a knack for making me hungry early in the mornings.
Olive oil in a cake !!! I trust you and looking at it , I believe it is good
Thanks Chef for sharing such a wonderful chocolate cake. I will surely try this out for it looks yummy! Have a nice day , Chef
I've had olive oil bread, but never olive oil cake… It looks decadent! I'll definitely be trying this. Thanks for sharing Chef!
Olive oil cake!? I'm simply amazed. I had no idea you could use olive oil that way. And the cake looks incredibly so its clearly something very cool that I've been missing out on. I must remedy that immediately!
Thanks so much for sharing
I need this right away … yum!!!
Oh Dennis, that cake looks utterly divine!
I've had other olive oil cakes in the past, but not in a chocolate cake. I can just imagine how good that must taste. Bravo!
Looks great! Will have to try that!
I'm not a big dessert person but this is one beautiful chocolate cake. Yummy!
WOW, what an interesting idea! I will most definitely have to try this…looks so amazing!
I have never had an olive oil cake, but this will be my first. Such a gorgeous chocolate cake dripping with Mocha glaze and the marscapone filling. You never fail to be amazing.
This looks absolutely incredible!
Chef Dennis, this sounds (and looks) amazing! My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor makes a rosemary olive oil cake that is to die for. Your version of a CHOCOLATE, MOCHA, olive oil cake with MARSCAPONE cream!?!? Well, it has left me speechless
I LOVE baking with Olive Oil. Maybe I'm biased because I'm Italian but I think olive oil is just the best. I never tried it on a chocolate cake though. I must! I'll have the hubby be the taste tester of the cake….I'll dig into that wonderful filling.
I hope you have a nice week ahead of you, Chef!
La textura que le tiene que dar el aceite de oliva tiene que ser exquisita.
Saludos
I love these vintage recipe, the are worth tasting. Chef, Dennis, the cake looks delicious!!
Have a great week
Oh my Dennis. I would eat this entire cake in one sitting. Olive oil cake is probably my favorite…and add chocolate to it, you have a happy girl. Love your Italian roots. And thanks for the Twitter shout-out too! Can't wait for the next swap.
As always Dennis, you have created a thing of beauty. I keep meaning to make an olive oil cake and you have most definitely inspired me.
Dennis, your mixture of chocolate and olive oil is just incredible. I wouldn't swap a piece of this heaven for anything – not even a macaron! You're incredible.
The world is full of some of the most amazing olive oils so I can imagine the taste with chocolate in my mind and I think I would love it. My favorite tasting I did years ago was at O& Co. I had no idea how many immensely different variations of olive oil there could be. I was most surprised by the 2 tablespoons white vinegar in the recipe. It has intrigued me! Happy week to you
How did yo know I'm craving chocolate mocha cake?
Wait a minute… I'm always craving chocolate mocha cake!
Thank you for sharing the recipe and the memories.
Incredible cake! I've never tried olive oil before, but I'm going to give it a whirl. Honestly after seeing that picture….I just have to have it.
Chef, another great recipe. I love olive oil cakes; I make one with chocolate chips and one with cranberries.
Sorry to hear the mascarpone cream didn't work, it sounded very interesting and looks great!
Dennis, this cake is to die for! I keep meaning to try and bake with olive oil, but this cake has given me that much-needed push to finally do it! Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful creation. I hope you're having a great week!
That's mouthwateringly amazing looking. I want!!
Wow! This is such a beautiful cake! I love your layer of mascarpone icing … seems less sweet and just a perfect creaminess to add to the chocolate experience! Wow!
So special looking too!
This cake is just so awesome! I must bake this soon! What a wonderful recipe. The extra virgin olive oil bottle on my cupboard can't wait to mingle with chocolate. Yum.
Such a fantastic looking cake! I love the frosting you put in the center of the cake, yum! I'm definitely bookmarking!
What a great cake! I don't think I've ever baked a cake with olive oil, but after reading this I'm intrigued! The mascarpone cream sounds delicious as well, it might not have been what you were looking for, but it sure sounds like I could eat it with a spoon
)
Oh wow does that ever look delicious!
What a gorgeous cake! It looks so moist. I have been making a chocolate olive oil cake for years now and never thought to add a layer of mascarpone. Thanks so much for sharing. I think I will be making this tomorrow!
So many interesting changes to the recipe… from the yogurt in the frosting to the espresso in the glaze.. it all looks great!
Lovely Chocolate Cake Dennis. Its on my TO -DO -NOW list because its Vegan to boot.
I have heard of olive oil cake but I have never eaten it before. This looks so amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
This looks divine! I must admit that even though I am Italian I have never used olive oil in a cake… shame on me!!!! I will have to try this one out very soon! It looks so moist!
it's SO wrong. 2am and now I want chocolate cake. No no no no no !!!
Looks just too good to resist Dennis
Being a big fan of olive oil in sweet recipes, this thrilled me, add in the mascarpone and I'm over the moon. Beautiful!
Wow! What an amazing looking treat! Everything from the filling to the mocha glaze….wonderful! I love it!
Oh my gosh! That cake looks so inviting. I could use a big piece right about now. Thanks for sharing!
Oh goodness. Ive never had olive oil cake but I want a slice right now. It looks moist and delicious.
wow, this is a great recipe! I love olive oil cake, but have never had it in a chocolate cake. Isn't it amazing what some coffee will do to chocolate?! Scrumptious.
Hi sweet man…of course, precious Mama Jeanette introduced you to this creation. I love olive oil cakes too, but I've never tried a chocolate variety. This must change. Thank you for sharing, for creating, and for inspiring me to remember all the beauty and good in this world. Many blessings tomorrow and in the days to come this week.
That is one incredibly delicious-looking cake! I must admit to having doubts about the olive oil part, but will just have to try it and see. Knowing your recipes, it's got to be good!
Leslie
That is one gorgeous cake:-)
Sounds like you enjoyed putting this together and the photograph is a beauty. Have a great week;-)
Wow, Chef, this looks amazing. The perfect thing to cheer me up on a gray, cloudy day.
Dennis, that is indeed a good sounding cake, no wonder you remember it… looks tasty even with the marscapone filling
You've really outdone yourself with this one Dennis! This sounds absolutely amazing and I am so intrigued! Can't wait to try it out!
What a beautiful, luscious cake Chef. Love the glaze just dripping on the sides of the cake. Yum!
Denise, that's such a sinfully decadent chocolatey cake!
Good morning Dennis! I'm finally making the rounds! Thanks for your very kind words yesterday! Your olive oil cake looks fabulous! I'm imagining the combination of chocolate and a hint of a good olive oil in a moist and smooth cake! Wow!!! And I always love hearing about Mama Jeannette- more stories please
Hope you have an awesome week!
omygoodness Chef! I had my first olive oil cake recently and thought it couldn't get any better. Mine was with Meyer Lemons. The chocolae cake definitely wins…hands down. I am so going to make this. That glaze on it looks spoon-licking good.
Looks like my kind of breakfast. I love olive oil cake, never had it with chocolate before. Brilliant, I must say. I can't wait to try it. Hope you are having a good week.
-Gina-
Oh. Em. GEE!!! I don't have to make this cake…I'm already in love. But I WILL make this cake! It may be the first thing I make in my new home. Amazing!!!
WOW, this cake is to die for. The running chocolate ganache made my chin drop.
You did a wonderful job.
Thanks for sharing
I have never had an olive oil cake! Its not something that's typically sold at stores, I am pretty excited to try this…I imagine its healthier (if its not don't tell me)
If you say so, I will give it a try. I am still skeptic about it, because I once baked some olive oil cupcakes, and they were a disaster. But this cake looks fantastic. Thanks.
i am so intrigued by olive oil cakes! i feel like they are everywhere lately, and i have yet to try one! this recipe looks amazing. sorry your mascarpone cream didn't work out though! it sure looks pretty in the photos…
http://www.icyviolets.blogspot.com
I have that wacky cake recipe. I think it was a depression era recipe – no eggs.
What a mouthwatering cake, although I've made olive oil gelato in the past, can't say that I've made an olive oil cake. Must add this one to the list. Thanks for sharing Chef!
For a self proclaimed non-baker.. this is one decadently delicious looking cake! I've actually never made an olive oil cake but I've always been interested in trying it. Well done Chef!
Ah, the cake looks heavenly and the glaze makes it totally irresistible!! I'm craving cakes now..:)
I've been checking out your other posts and I have to say, I'm hooked! I especially loved your posts on 'ask chef dennis'- very informative! Gonna stalk your posts from now, hope you don't mind..lol.
Bad time for me to start a weight loss program. Your cake looks incredible and your photos are excellent.
The cake looks wonderful.
really Dennis…this is stellar….I love the thought of olive oil in this…you have outdone yourself in the grandest way….where is the LOVE button???
I recently tried making my first olive oil cake (a lemon one) and was amazed by how moist it was! This one looks like a way better, kicked up version of mine and I can't wait to give it a go
cake and presentation looks wonderful delicious cake
Olive Oil Cake… this is very appealing to me, considering I am Greek and you also added Greek yogurt too? How wonderful & delicious!!! Thank you for posting all these terrific recipes!
oh wow..thats a lovely cake and so easy too….no eggs thats amazing…will surely give it a try..
I'd really like to take a spoon to that mocha glaze!
Chef Dennis this looks incredible! I love all the ingredients and of course, as always, your pictures are gorgeous! I will definitely be making this in my immediate future
I have never tried an olive oil cake before, but you can bet I will be very soon. Such beautiful and enticing photos as always.
wow, what a great looking cake! i really want to try that frosting. sounds delish!
Glaze aside…I can eat this cake! No milk No egss (yeah for wacky cake!) I'm also diggin your profile pic on foodbuz, mostly because I want to garden but I'm frozen with fear.
I made this incredible cake today and OH MY, it is awesome! I took the chef’s advice and just made whipped cream for the frosting/filling, which made the recipe even simpler. Sooo good!!
isn’t it amazing! who knew a cake that simple would be so delicious! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Everything turned out great but the glaze….please clarify the amount of chopped chocolate. 2 2/3 cups is alot of chopped chocolate and my glaze was very thick…like fudge
I’m sorry about the glaze not turning out, was it warm when you used it because in the refrig it will thicken like fudge. I’m a bit of a chocolate freak so I probably used much more than necessary. My glaze is more like a ganache, if you would like it to be a little more runny, cut back the chocolate by a cup, just make sure to start with the cream before adding the coffee. Of course you could leave the coffee out altogether if you like too. Thinning chocolate can be tricky and I have found that only heavy cream or corn syrup will do to get it started but once its started to melt and thin, you can use other liquids, just thin it down till its more to your liking.
thanks for trying the cake and if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to email me.
Gorgeous cake! I’ve bookmarked several cakes with olive oil to try, but I think this will be at the top of my list, and I’ll take your suggestion to make it with whipped cream. Simply amazing!!
Awesome, the final result is something more than just a choco-cake!! Isn’t dry, there is no excess of humidity . Is just perfect!!!
I have to say this is my new favorite choco-recipe, tks!!!!
It is an amazing chocolate cake, so easy to make and delicious! Thanks for letting me know you tried it!
Hi,
I was wondering if this recipie could be made into cupcakes and iced with buttercream icing or cream cheese icing?
Thanks
hi Angela
yes this recipe can easily be made into cupcakes, I do them at school all the time. And what ever type of frosting you like will work, I would love one with a good buttercream!
cheers
Dennis
Thankyou Chef,
Forgot to ask can they be fozen?
Thanks
Love oilve oil in cakes, keeps it all well moist for some days. =)
chef, can I ask you why u chose to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of simple Olive oil for the baking? I was taught to use normal olive oil because extra virgin olive oil contains some healthy nutrients that get destroyed when heated up. just curious… =)
hi Helene
that is true, but Extra virgin is the only olive oil I buy, so I use it for everything. I do keep a bottle of canola oil on hand and now I use coconut oil for somethings. But with the olive oil, its easier to just buy one.
thanks for asking!
Dennis
Your chocolate olive oil cake is the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten…very moist and fudgy. It is the only chocolate cake I make for my family now…truly easy and delicious. My husband says it tastes just like his grandmother’s cake. Thanks so very much for sharing!
thank you Julie! I’m so happy to hear that you and your husband have enjoyed my olive oil cake. It’s one of the first desserts I teach my girls, its so easy to make and incredibly delicious!
This is my second time making your cake. I absolutely love the chocolate cake itself. It’s moist but not too fudgey. The perfect chocolate cake!
Hi Christine
I’m so happy to hear that you like my olive oil cake, it is one of my favorite chocolate cakes!
Dennis