I’ve mentioned a few times on the blog that I’ve been continually inspired by French cuisine as of lately. But it’s hard to know if anyone ever reads this part. I would say most people don’t, which is fair. But all the stuff before the recipe is my favorite part. A person sharing their family history and why they fell in love with a food, a blogger trying to make jokes yet none of them land (hi, it me), and a new mom sharing how her kids snuck bites as she was trying to photograph the recipe. The point is, I LOVE stories. And while most blogs have turned to writing out what you’ll need for the recipe and how to make it before even getting to the recipe itself simply because SEO loves when you do that, I have refused. Because stories are my favorite. Stories about food, about the joy food brings, and about the people behind that food. That’s what I love.
And since I’ve been reading many, many stories about French cuisine, French way of life, and French cooking, I’m very much interested in the stories behind the food. I want to hear about people’s experiences, why they loved the food so much, the food that made their eyes roll back in their head and gasp with delight. Those are my kinds of stories. And I don’t have a ton of people around me that go THAT insane for food, to the point that they want to listen to audiobooks about food. I have my friend Jess who will try almost any restaurant I want to go to along with many online friends who I will meet up with from time to time and we will hit every restaurant possible in that area in the time allotted, but that’s about it. But the internet…those are my people. The internet has shown me that there are many people just as obsessed, just as in love, and just as eager to try every food and get better at cooking it.
I recently listened to the book ‘A Homemade Life‘ and felt completely seen when she talked about going on a trip to France with her mom to simply walk, eat, walk, eat, then walk more so they could eat. That’s my ideal vacation. I had a trip through California with Jess that looked exactly like that. It was glorious. We walked everywhere, we ate everything, and then we also had spa appointments. Like the book said, “I go on vacation for an excuse to eat more.” I go on vacation to experience different food that I wouldn’t be able to get in the same way in Denver. But since France is currently not in the cards because we have a 6 month old and building a business is a bit more important at the moment, I’ve had to bring France to me.
All this to say, this yogurt cake is inspired from a French book I’ve been cooking through the past couple weeks – Dinner in French. As I’ve looked at more and more French recipes, this simple yogurt cake seems to be a staple. I modified mine a bit and then topped it with a citrusy glaze since blood oranges are in season, but now I understand why it is such a popular cake. It’s easy to make, the outside has the perfect crunch while the inside is soft and fluffy, and it’s good with anything on top. Be French AF and top it with crème fraîche and berries, be American AF and top it with buttercream frosting, or simply be who you want to be and top it with whatever your heart desires…and that could be nothing. The point is, this cake is delicious and it will make your life better. Just like this story did, huh? You read it, RIGHT?!
Yogurt & Olive Oil Cake with Blood Orange Glaze
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 slices 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free flour
- 1 cup sugar (I used organic cane sugar)
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
- zest of 2 blood oranges
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt (I used Fage 0%)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the blood orange glaze
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (I used salted)
- 1 cup organic powdered sugar
- juice of 2 blood oranges (about 4–5 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with oil and line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together gluten free flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and zest.
- Add yogurt, olive oil, eggs, and vanilla, and then use a spatula to mix the batter, folding the batter over and over, making sure to not overwork it. Once combined, pour it into the loaf pan and spread evenly throughout.
- Place in the oven to bake for 30 minutes then lightly cover with aluminum foil to keep the top from browning and cook for another 10-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle of the loaf. Time will range depending on the oven so be sure to keep an eye on it!
- Let cool in loaf pan for 10 minutes before using the parchment paper to lift the loaf from the pan. Cool completely.
- Lastly, combine the butter, powdered sugar and blood orange juice and whisk until smooth. Pour the glaze over the loaf and then cut into 8-10 slices before serving!
What I Used to Make This Recipe:
________________
You May Also Like:
Spicy Kale & Blood Orange Salad
_______________
This post contains some affiliate links and I may be compensated, but all opinions are my own. This compensation helps with expenses to keep this blog up and running! Thank you for all your support!
I am absolutely going to make this. I would love if you would do a recipe post on how you are learning to use creme fraiche. You have recently used it as a base for a salad and you mention it here as a topping for this cake. Just the sound of it is delicious, but I’m a newbie to that ingredient and would love to learn from your expertise! Also, watching Avery try new foods every day is one of my new favorite things. 🙂
You are the only blogger that I will actually read the posts on! You crack me up and I love your random stories 🙂 Also SO glad the podcast is back! Love the random chats and I am equally as obsessed with food as you are. If we lived closer I have a feeling we would be fast friends 🙂 (i’m in AZ) Thanks for all of your incredible content!!
This was sooooo freaking good. We have a lemon tree so I made the lemon version instead and its was really good.
Please tell me what you changed for the lemon version? Was it just for the glaze? Thank you! Christy Heath
Even if I didn’t make your recipes, I would always read your stories – they are hilarious AF!
I’m here for the stories as well, and I think those who are have been with you longer than others and therefore feel like we know you through what you’ve shared over the years. I’m intrigued by why French cuisine is calling to you. What sparked this? When? In the throes of new motherhood, is it an escape? This cake looks fabulous! Looking forward to making it.
This recipe is 10/10! Incredible! Highly recommend
So good. This bread will melt in your mouth. I used lemons instead of oranges and it was not a mistake. I also paired mine with whipping cream and berries.