🌼 Hello dear GFL readers, and happy spring!

Recently, I had the pleasure of trying a delicious orange olive oil cake at a cozy spot in West Hollywood, and it sparked the inspiration for this newsletter. And prior to this, a friend and a neighbor gifted me some juicy lemons straight from the backyard trees — and just like that, I knew I had to try making a lemon olive oil cake.

Using extra virgin olive oil was a no-brainer for me — it’s a healthier alternative to butter, thanks to its unsaturated fats. And with fresh lemon juice and zest, this cake tastes bright and refreshing, making it perfect for springtime.

Of course, I wanted to keep it low-carb, so I swapped sugar for maple syrup and used almond flour instead of all-purpose flour. The result? A guilt-free, moist, and tasty delight — all with just nine ingredients and ten minutes of prep. Let’s get baking.

Easy Lemon Olive Oil Cake 🍋

Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes (including cooling)
Difficulty: Very Easy
Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients

Wet:

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• Zest of 2 lemons (approx. 1 tbsp)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Dry:

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients.
3. Slowly sift the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until well combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool before slicing.

Optional Glaze: Here’s a lemon glaze recipe that is easy. Keep in mind that before pouring the glaze over the cake, poke holes into the cake and glaze while the cake is still warm.

This cake stays moist and soft for up to 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container, or even longer in the fridge. That said, it’s so tasty it might not last more than 2 days!

🌿 Bonus Tip: Don’t Toss Those Lemons!

Once you’ve juiced the lemons, don’t throw them away. Slice them up and next time you run a cyle, pop them into your dishwasher’s top rack or utensil section. They help freshen your dishwasher and reduce limescale buildup naturally.

🐶 DIY Bitter Lemon Spray for Dogs

My puppy has stopped chewing furniture thanks to this simple homemade spray:

Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a small spray bottle. Shake well and spritz onto table legs, furniture corners, or wooden boards. The bitter taste deters chewing, and it’s totally safe for your pup. For us, redirection plus this spray = a happier home!

Thanks for reading GFL— wishing you a sunny, zesty season ahead! 🌞
Until next time,

Gina and Milo