This amazing lemon cake is getting rave reviews from the nutritionists and dietitians visiting our booth at the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE). The chefs at the Westin O'Hare (who created this for our annual Olive Oil Conference) were kind enough to share the recipe with us.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus additional for greasing pan
- 1 large lemon
- 1 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
- 5 large eggs, separated, reserving 1 white for another use (eggs should be room temperature)
- 3/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
Preparation
- Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (180ºC). Grease 9-inch pan with some oil, then line bottom with a round of parchment paper. Oil parchment.
- Finely grate enough lemon zest to measure 1 1/2 teaspoons and whisk together with flour. Halve lemon, then squeeze and reserve 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.
- Beat together yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add olive oil (3/4 cup) and reserved lemon juice, beating until just combined (mixture may appear separated). Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture (do not beat) until just combined.
- Beat egg whites (from 4 eggs) with 1/2 teaspoon salt in another large bowl with cleaned beaters at medium-high speed until foamy, then add 1/4 cup sugar a little at a time, beating, and continue to beat until egg whites just hold soft peaks, about 3 minutes.
- Gently fold one third of whites into yolk mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
- Transfer batter to pan and gently rap against work surface once or twice to release any air bubbles. Sprinkle top evenly with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until puffed and golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then run a thin knife around edge of pan and remove side of pan. Cool cake to room temperature, about 1 1/4 hours. Remove bottom of pan and peel off parchment, then transfer cake to a serving plate.
Thanks to all when came by our booth and tasted the EVOO Lemon Cake.