Description

Jamie Oliver’s Lemon Yogurt Cake is a light and fluffy cake made with yogurt, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s an easy-to-make cake with a bright, citrusy flavor and a soft, moist texture, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

A simple mix of wet and dry ingredients ensures a perfectly balanced cake.

- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or self-raising flour, see note below)

- 1 teaspoon baking powder (skip if using self-raising flour)

- ½ teaspoon baking soda

- ½ teaspoon salt

- ¾ cup sugar

- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or natural yogurt)

- ⅓ cup olive oil or vegetable oil

- 2 large eggs

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- Zest of 2 lemons

- Juice of 1 lemon

For the Lemon Syrup (Optional but Recommended):

A lemon syrup adds extra moisture and flavor.

- ¼ cup lemon juice

- ¼ cup sugar

For the Glaze (Optional):

A simple icing adds a sweet finishing touch.

- ½ cup powdered sugar

- 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Proper preparation ensures an evenly baked cake.

- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

- Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or loaf pan and line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Combining dry ingredients first ensures even distribution.

- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

- Set aside while preparing the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

A smooth batter ensures a soft and moist cake.

- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, yogurt, olive oil, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth.

- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

A perfectly baked cake is golden and springy to the touch.

- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.

- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Make the Lemon Syrup (Optional)

A lemon syrup enhances the flavor and keeps the cake extra moist.

- While the cake is baking, heat lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves.

- Once the cake is baked, poke small holes with a skewer and pour the syrup over the warm cake.

Step 6: Make the Lemon Glaze (Optional)

A glaze adds a beautiful finish and extra lemony sweetness.

- In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.

- Drizzle over the cooled cake before serving.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Final touches make the cake extra special.

- Garnish with lemon zest, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

- Serve at room temperature with tea, coffee, or whipped cream.