chocolate olive oil cake

This rich chocolate olive oil cake is simple to throw together and packs a huge flavor punch. We combine intense dark chocolate with layers of fruity, peppery olive oil and plenty of whipped ganache. The cake is plush and moist and so decadent. 

Why I love it:

This chocolate olive oil cake is one of the best cakes I’ve got. It’s a humble snack cake, thrown together in a bowl and baked in a square.

But don’t underestimate humble cakes. This one is as moist as they come, deeply chocolatey, and incredibly tender. I love the contrast of fruity olive oil with bitter chocolate-- it’s a luxurious flavor combination.

And oil in cake always maxes out the moist factor!

I top this cake with whipped chocolate ganache, which is light as air and literally melts in your mouth, and a gorgeous sprinkling of flake salt. The pop of crunchy salt makes this whole thing taste like an artisan truffle, in cake form.

Make this ASAP and eat all the cake! 

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chocolate olive oil cake ingredients:

how to make this chocolate olive oil cake:

1. Whisk together dry ingredients.
2. Whisk together sour cream, olive oil, eggs, vanilla, and salt.
3. Pour wet ingredients into the dry; whisk until mostly combined.
4. Whisk in hot coffee until smooth.
5. Pour into a parchment paper-lined pan and bake for about 45 minutes.
6. Let cool.
7. Frost with whipped chocolate ganache, sprinkle with flaky salt. 
8. Enjoy!

what makes this the best chocolate olive oil cake:

Good cocoa powder: I believe in buying the best Dutch-processed cocoa you can get your hands on. The flavor is deep, rich, intense and the texture is so silky. I love Cacao Barry Extra Brute. Remember: cocoa powder is the only form of chocolate in this cake, so the type you use has a big impact on the flavor of the final cake.

Olive oil: Use flavorful extra-virgin olive oil here! We want to taste the fruity, grassy, peppery notes in this cake, and they have to be intense enough to shine through the chocolate. Olive oil also makes this cake so moist.

Coffee: Use espresso if you can, or drip coffee, or even 2 tsp espresso powder dissolved in ¼ cup hot water. Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor and makes the whole cake taste richer. Use whatever type of coffee you can.

Flaky salt: I love the subtle and elegant decoration of flaky salt (I used Maldon Sea Salt). Salt, chocolate, and olive oil are soul mates that need to be together.

more chocolate cake and cupcake recipes to try:

chocolate guinness cupcakes

chocolate souffle cake

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