Fanouropita - Greek Spiced Olive Oil Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (180ml) extra virgin olive oil ¾ cup (180ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup (240ml) orange juice 1 cup (240ml) orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 36g, 20g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the olive oil while continuing to beat the mixture.
5. 5.
   Add the orange juice and orange zest, and mix until well combined.
6. 6.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. 7.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
8. 8.
   Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. 9.
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. 10.
    Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Olive oil — Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and richness in the cake.
• Orange zest — Make sure to grate only the outer orange part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra citrusy flavor, drizzle the cooled cake with a simple orange glaze made with orange juice and powdered sugar.
• Serve the Fanouropita with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
• If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the amount of granulated sugar to ¾ cup.
• Experiment with different spices such as cardamom or ginger to add your own twist to the recipe.
• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Fanouropita at room temperature or slightly warmed. Dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the cake with a few thin slices of orange and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve on a decorative cake stand or plate.