Lemon Olive Oil Sugar Cookies

Soft, chewy, and lemony sugar cookies made with extra virgin olive oil instead of butter for a unique flavor and a delightful chewy texture—with a delicate crunch on the outside from the granulated sugar coating, they are, simply put, a textural delight. The soft oil-based dough is easily mixed by hand with a spatula or […]

The post Lemon Olive Oil Sugar Cookies first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

Soft, chewy, and lemony sugar cookies made with extra virgin olive oil instead of butter for a unique flavor and a delightful chewy texture—with a delicate crunch on the outside from the granulated sugar coating, they are, simply put, a textural delight.

The soft oil-based dough is easily mixed by hand with a spatula or wooden spoon, no electric mixer required. The simplicity is just one more reason to love these unique cookies!

Crackly top Lemon Olive Oil Sugar Cookies on marble with a small glass pourer of olive oil, lemons, and a plate of more cookies in the background.

It shouldn’t be surprising (based on the name of this blog) that we go through a lot of olive oil. It’s our go-to oil and we couldn’t live without it (well, we could, but we wouldn’t be very happy about it). That said, I’ll admit I often overlook it in baking projects in lieu of butter. And that’s a shame, because olive oil is actually quite lovely when it comes to sweets.

That was my goal with these cookies: to show how well olive oil works for baking. The result is a soft and chewy sugar cookie straight out of your dreams. They are light in texture and incredibly buttery, surprisingly so, considering they are actually made with no butter at all, but rather, extra virgin olive oil.

You may never use butter for baking again.

(more…)

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

These 3-ingredient Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries combine natural sweetness with a spicy Creole seasoning kick for a super tasty and easy to make side dish!

The post Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Who said sweet potato fries were boring? Not me! Ok, well maybe I did think that up until I tried this version. And let’s just say I stand corrected!! These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are tossed with a little bit of olive oil and seasoned with a light coating of Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning…and all I can say is, Wow! The combination of the natural sweetness from the sweet potato with the spicy kick from the Creole seasoning is seriously a match made in heaven! Not to mention I can make a batch of fries for just over a dollar! Now I can get my weekly sweet potato fix fast and on a budget!

Overhead view of a plate of sweet potato fries served with mayo ketchup dipping sauce and a napkin on the side.

Ingredients For Sweet Potato Fries

You only need 3 simple ingredients to make these easy, tasty, sweet potato fries!

  • Sweet Potatoes – Just one pound of sweet potatoes, or approximately 2 small sweet potatoes, is all you’ll need to make one batch of sweet potato fries.
  • Olive Oil – A little bit of olive oil (or cooking oil of your choice) to help the seasoning stick to the sweet potatoes and help the potatoes to brown evenly while cooking.
  • Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning – This is what I consider the “secret ingredient” and makes these sweet potato fries really stand out! If you don’t have access to this particular brand, you can substitute with any seasoning salt blend, like Lawry’s.

Are These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Crispy?

No, they’re not. Even though they are being cooked in an air “fryer”, they are on the thicker side and won’t be as crispy as deep fried sweet potato fries. There are some recipes that call for extra steps and ingredients to try and achieve a crispier texture, but we went with a simple, less complicated method for these sweet potato fries, and they still turned out super delicious!

Tips for making Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

  1. Cut the wedges evenly – Try to cut the sweet potato wedges as even as possible so they can all cook evenly in the air fryer.
  2. Mix well – Make sure the sweet potato fries are coated evenly in the oil and spices.
  3. Preheat the air fryer – It’s always good to preheat the air fryer before you add your fries to the basket. If your air fryer does not have a pre-heat function, simply let it run with an empty basket for about 3-4 minutes at 400ºF.
  4. Cook in intervals – Cook the sweet potato fries in roughly 5 minute intervals and shake the basket (or use silicone tongs) to flip the fries after each interval.

What to Serve With Sweet POtato Fries?

If you love a good dipping sauce, then try serving these sweet potato fries with our Comeback Sauce or our Mayo Ketchup. And since you already have the air fryer out, you could easily pair these with some Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets or maybe some Baked Chicken Wings. And the sweet and spicy flavor of the fries would taste great with some smokey BBQ Bean Sliders or BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. But of course you can always add these on the side with some Smash Burgers or Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers too!

Overhead view of sweet potato fries on a serving plate with one fry being dipped in a side of mayo ketchup.

Pictured with Mayo Ketchup sauce.

Overhead view of a plate of sweet potato fries served with mayo ketchup dipping sauce and a napkin on the side.
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

These 3-ingredient Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries combine natural sweetness with a spicy Creole seasoning kick for a super tasty and easy to make side dish!
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Total Cost $1.13 recipe / $0.56 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 259kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. sweet potatoes $0.99
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.11
  • 1/2 tsp Tony Chachere's seasoning (or to taste)* $0.03

Instructions

  • Wash, peel, then dry the sweet potatoes. Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges.
  • Place the sweet potato wedges in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle seasoning over the top. Toss the sweet potatoes until they're evenly covered in oil and seasoning.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Once preheated, add the seasoned sweet potatoes and spread them as evenly as possible inside the air fryer basket. Cook the fries at five-minute intervals, shaking the basket to flip and stir the fries after each interval.
  • Continue cooking until the sweet potatoes are slightly blistered and browned on the edges, about 15-20 minutes total. Serve immediately.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*You can substitute any seasoning salt, like Lawry’s.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 125mg | Fiber: 7g

Try These Other Homemade Fry Recipes:

Side view of sweet potato fries on a serving plate with one fry being dipped in a side of mayo ketchup.

How to Make Air Fryer Sweet POtato Fries – Step by Step Photos

Sweet Potatoes that have been peeled and cut into wedges.

Wash, peel, then dry 1 lb. of sweet potatoes (approx. 2 small sweet potatoes). Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges.

Sweet potato wedges in a large bowl seasoned with olive oil and Creole seasoning.

Place the sweet potato wedges in a bowl, drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle 1/2 tsp of seasoning (or more to taste) over the top. Toss the sweet potatoes until they’re evenly covered in oil and seasoning.

Seasoned sweet potato fries place inside an air fryer basket.

Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Once preheated, add the seasoned sweet potatoes and spread them as evenly as possible inside of the air fryer basket. Cook the fries at five-minute intervals, shaking the basket to flip and stir the fries after each interval.

Cooked sweet potato fries inside air fryer basket.

Continue cooking until the sweet potatoes are slightly blistered and browned on the edges, about 15-20 minutes total.

Overhead view of a plate of sweet potato fries served with mayo ketchup dipping sauce and a napkin on the side.

Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy! Pictured with Mayo Ketchup sauce.

Side view of sweet potato fries on a serving plate with one fry being dipped in a side of mayo ketchup.

The post Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries appeared first on Budget Bytes.

1-Pot Pumpkin Turkey Chili (Freezer-Friendly!)

If you don’t already keep homemade freezer meals stashed for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking, consider this your (cost-saving…thank yourself later) invitation! This 1-POT pumpkin turkey chili is a freezer meal we never go without.
N…

1-Pot Pumpkin Turkey Chili (Freezer-Friendly!)

If you don’t already keep homemade freezer meals stashed for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking, consider this your (cost-saving…thank yourself later) invitation! This 1-POT pumpkin turkey chili is a freezer meal we never go without.

Not only is it everything you want in a chili (hearty, thick, smoky, and spicy), but it’s nutrient-packed and a great way to use up almost any veggie you have around.

1-Pot Pumpkin Turkey Chili (Freezer-Friendly!) from Minimalist Baker →

Arroz Verde (Green Rice)

Arroz Verde is a vibrant Mexican green rice dish that’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and infused with lots of earthy, herby flavors!

The post Arroz Verde (Green Rice) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Rice is one of our favorite budget-friendly side dishes, so when we saw the recipe for Arroz Verde in Karla Salinari’s new book, Abuela’s Plant-Based Kitchen: Vegan Cuisine Inspired by Latin & Caribbean Family Recipes, we knew we had to give it a try! This simple Arroz Verde (Green Rice) recipe is bright, full of earthy flavor, and the perfect way to use up any herbs or leafy greens in your fridge! So if you’re looking for a new tasty way to enjoy this weeknight staple side dish, then definitely give this green rice recipe a try!

Overhead view of a white bowl full of Arroz Verde with parley and a grey napkin on the side.

What is Arroz Verde?

Arroz Verde is a popular Mexican and Latin American green rice dish that’s known for its vibrant green color and herby flavors. It’s often made by cooking rice in a blended herb and leafy greens puree until it’s fluffy and infused with lots of earthy flavor.

INGREDIENTS FOR ARROZ VERDE

This green rice recipe includes lots of vegetables and packs a ton of flavor! Here’s what you need to make this simple rice dish:

  • Basmati Rice – Basmati rice, which is fragrant and fluffy, is the base for this recipe. We used jasmine rice, which is also fragrant because that is what we had on hand, but feel free to use any long-grain white rice that fits your budget.
  • Green Leafy Vegetables – Lots of earthy green leafy vegetables and herbs are used in this arroz verde recipe including Swiss chard, spinach, parsley, and cilantro. It makes the rice bright and super flavorful! If you can’t find Swiss chard, simply substitute it with more spinach.
  • Olive oil and Garlic – Both of these are added with the leafy vegetables to create a green powerhouse blended mixture. The pureed mixture is then sautéed to release some of its fragrance before being cooked with the rice.
  • Green Peas and Scallions – Cooked green peas and sliced scallions give the dish more color, texture, and flavor, making this an anything-but-boring side dish.

What to serve with Arroz Verde?

Arroz Verde would pair nicely with Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken, Garlic Butter Baked Cod, Pan Seared Chicken Breasts, or even with a side of Seasoned Black Beans! Other Mexican-inspired dishes like Cheese Enchiladas or Black Bean and Avocado Enchiladas would also go great with this rice dish!

Side front view of a bowl full of Arroz Verde.
Overhead view of a white bowl full of Arroz Verde with parley and a grey napkin on the side.
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Arroz Verde (Green Rice)

Arroz Verde is a vibrant Mexican green rice dish that’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and infused with lots of earthy, herby flavors!
Course Dinner
Cuisine Latin
Total Cost $5.49 recipe / $0.92 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 about 1 cup each
Calories 404kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Swiss chard, stems removed* $1.50
  • 1 cup fresh spinach $0.28
  • 1 cup parsley $0.39
  • 1/2 cup cilantro $0.29
  • 1/2 cup olive oil $1.28
  • 3 cloves garlic $0.24
  • 2 cups long grain white rice, washed & rinsed $0.84
  • 2 cups boiling water $0
  • Salt to taste $0.01

For Serving

  • 1/2 cup cooked green peas $0.31
  • 1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced $0.35

Instructions

  • Add the Swiss chard, spinach, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, and roughly chopped garlic to a food processor. Process on high until mixture reaches a paste-like consistency.
  • Place a medium size pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, transfer the green vegetable mixture to the pot and sauté until fragrant, 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the rice to the pot and mix to combine coating the rice with the green mixture.
  • Add boiling water and salt to taste to the pot and let the mixture come to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover with a tight lid. Cook for 20 min or until the rice is tender.
  • Once done remove the pot from the heat and using a fork fluff the rice. Add the cooked green peas and scallions and combine. Serve and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*If you can not find Swiss chard, you can substitute with more spinach.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 38mg | Fiber: 2g
Overhead view of a bowl of Arroz Verde with a black fork lifting some out. Parsley and cooked peas garnished on the side.

How to Make Arroz Verde – Step by Step Photos

Swiss chard, Spinach, parsley, cilantro, and garlic added to a food processor with olive oil being poured in.

Add 1 cup of chopped Swiss chard, 1 cup fresh spinach, 1 cup parsley, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/2 cup olive oil, and 3 garlic cloves (roughly chopped) to a food processor.

Green vegetable ingredients blended in food processor.

Process on high until mixture reaches a paste-like consistency.

Green vegetable mixture added to a large pot

Place a medium size pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, transfer the green vegetable mixture to the pot and sauté until fragrant, 2-3 minutes.

White rice added to green vegetable mixture in the pot

Add 2 cups long-grain white rice (washed & rinsed) to the pot and mix to combine, coating the rice with the green mixture.

Boiling water being added to rice and green vegetable mixture inside the pot

Add 2 cups of boiling water and salt to taste to the pot, then let the mixture come to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover with a tight lid. Cook for 20 min or until the rice is tender.

Cooked green rice with cooked peas and sliced green onions added in.

Once done remove the pot from the heat and using a fork fluff the rice. Add 1/2 cup cooked green peas and 1/4 cup sliced scallions and combine.

Finished Arroz Verde dish with finely chopped cilantro on top.

Serve and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired. Simple and delicious! Enjoy!

Close up side view of Arroz Verde in a serving bowl.

The post Arroz Verde (Green Rice) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

We absolutely love broccoli cheddar soup, but relying solely on store-bought vegan cheddar for a “cheesy” flavor? That felt like cheating. Instead, we set out to recreate the cheesy flavor with whole food ingredients and as many vegetables …

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

We absolutely love broccoli cheddar soup, but relying solely on store-bought vegan cheddar for a “cheesy” flavor? That felt like cheating. Instead, we set out to recreate the cheesy flavor with whole food ingredients and as many vegetables as possible. The result? Luxuriously creamy, nutrient-packed soup with classic, indulgent flavor. Swoon!

Just 10 ingredients required for this comforting dish that might just become your new favorite way to eat broccoli.

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup from Minimalist Baker →

Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner

Say yes to this easy, no-fuss, veggie-packed, Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner. Perfect for those busy weeknights!

The post Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner appeared first on Budget Bytes.

One of the best go-to weeknight dinners is hands down a sheet pan meal. They’re easy to prep, everything cooks on one pan, and dinner is ready in hardly any time! This Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner includes a variety of vegetables and can be customized to your liking. Simply toss your vegetables and chicken sausage with a little bit of olive oil and spices and roast in the oven until the veggies are tender and the sausage has nice browned edges. Dinner simply doesn’t get much easier than this!

Roasted Chicken Sausage and vegetables on a sheet pan with a spatula scooping a portion on the side.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Meal is made with simple, basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Chicken Sausage – Fully-cooked chicken sausage usually comes in 4-5 individual sausage links. I like using a chicken & apple flavored sausage, but choose one that your family will enjoy.
  • Vegetables – For the vegetables we used a combination of red bell pepper, red onion, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. But you can easily substitute some of the veggies based on what you have in your pantry or fridge. I’ll share a few suggestions below.
  • Oil and Spices – Extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano add a simple, but flavorful seasoning to this sausage and veggies sheet pan meal.

Can I Use A Different Type Of Sausage?

Sure! You can use any type of smoked sausage for this recipe. I just so happen to love chicken sausage, but beef, pork, turkey, or even kielbasa sausage would work just fine. Just make sure you are getting fully-cooked sausage links.

Can I use Different Vegetables?

Absolutely! As I mentioned above, this recipe is very flexible and easy to customize. Feel free to switch out the sweet potatoes for Yukon gold or russet potatoes, you can use Brussels sprouts or zucchini instead of broccoli, and you can use different color bell peppers. Just make sure the vegetables are cut roughly the same size so they cook at the same pace as everything else.

Storing & Reheating

This sheet pan chicken sausage dinner is great for meal prep! Just store any leftover sausage and veggies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

A serving of Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and roasted vegetables on a white plate next to a sheet pan.
A serving of Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and roasted vegetables on a white plate next to a sheet pan.
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Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner

Say yes to this easy, no-fuss, veggie-packed, Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
Course Dinner
Cuisine Amercian
Total Cost $9.93 recipe / $2.48 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 386kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 fully-cooked chicken sausage links (about 12 oz) $4.99
  • 1 red bell pepper $1.50
  • 1 small red onion $0.42
  • 1 head broccoli $1.57
  • 1 sweet potato (about 1/2 lb.) $0.74
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil $0.33
  • 1 tsp salt $0.06
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper $0.04
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.08
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano $0.10
  • 1 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional) $0.10

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F. On a cutting board, slice the chicken sausage into medallions on a diagonal. Chop the bell pepper into 1-inch chunks. Slice the onion into ½-inch slices. Cut the broccoli into small florets. Wash, peel, and dice the sweet potato into ¾-inch cubes.
  • Add the sliced chicken sausage and chopped vegetables to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Toss sausage and veggies well making sure all of the ingredients are evenly coated with oil and spices.
  • Spread the chicken sausage and vegetables onto a parchment lined baking sheet in an even single layer.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15 minutes, then give the ingredients on the sheet pan a good stir. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and roast for another 15 minutes or until sausage and veggies are browned on the edges.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley (optional), serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Sodium: 1536mg | Fiber: 7g
Sheet pan chicken sausage and vegetables dinner with a spatula on the side.

How To Make Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner – Step By Step Photos

Ingredients for sheet pan chicken sausage dinner on a baking sheet

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Gather 12 oz of chicken sausage (4 sausage links), 1 red bell pepper, 1 small red onion (or ½ large red onion), 1 head of broccoli, and 1 sweet potato (about ½ lb.) to prep.

Ingredients sheet pan chicken sausage dinner chopped on a cutting board.

On a cutting board, slice the chicken sausage into medallions on a diagonal. Chop the bell pepper into 1-inch chunks. Slice the onion into ½-inch slices. Cut the broccoli into small florets. Wash, peel, and dice the sweet potato into ¾-inch cubes.

Chicken Sausage and Vegetables in a large bowl with oil and spices.

Add the sliced chicken sausage and chopped vegetables to a large bowl. Drizzle with 3 Tbsp olive oil and season with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, and 1 ½ tsp dried oregano. Toss sausage and veggies well making sure all of the ingredients are evenly coated with oil and spices.

Seasoned chicken sausage and vegetables spread out on a baking sheet.

Spread the chicken sausage and vegetables onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer.

Roasted chicken sausage and vegetables on a sheet pan.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15 minutes, then give the ingredients on the sheet pan a good stir. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and roast for another 15 minutes or until sausage and veggies are browned on the edges.

Close up overhead photo of sheet pan chicken sausage and vegetables dinner.

That’s it! A super easy sheet pan dinner meal all cooked on one pan! I had actually planned to make a sauce to drizzle over the top, but when I tasted the roasted veggies with the sausage I thought it was absolutely delicious without any extra dressings. Garnish with chopped parsley (optional), serve hot and enjoy!

One serving of sheet pan chicken sausage and vegetables on a white plate with a black fork on the side.

More Easy Sheet Pan Meals

The post Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Orange Olive Oil Cake

This article is from Delicious Everyday.
Orange olive oil cake is a type of cake that is made with olive oil and fresh orange juice and zest. It’s a simple yet elegant cake that is perfect for a variety of occasions, from dinner parties to afternoon t…

This article is from Delicious Everyday.

Orange olive oil cake is a type of cake that is made with olive oil and fresh orange juice and zest. It's a simple yet elegant cake that is perfect for a variety of occasions, from dinner parties to afternoon tea.  If you have not tried this orange juice and olive oil cake add it...

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Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake with Maple Olive Oil Glaze from Snacking Cakes

This one-bowl Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake with Maple Olive Oil Glaze is as easy as can be. It’s a great alternative to pie for Thanksgiving too. The maple olive oil glaze is sweet and savory all at once and has the most velvety texture.

This one-bowl Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake with Maple Olive Oil Glaze is as easy as can be. It’s a great alternative to pie for Thanksgiving too. The maple olive oil glaze is sweet and savory all at once and has the most velvety texture.

If you’re feeling to tired or to stressed for pie this Thanksgiving, or maybe you just don’t like pie (I know you’re out there!) - let me humbly suggest this Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake that comes together in one bowl without much fuss. You have probably guessed this already, but it’s a recipe from my new book Snacking Cakes!

It has all of the warm spices you could possibly want, and is topped with maple olive oil glaze and a pinch of sea salt for a sweet and savory vibe that makes it a great snack for anytime of day. You might even want to make one now to snack on as you’re cooking today and tomorrow…Just a thought!

It’s the perfect size for the small gatherings we are all having this year, and if you have leftovers they make an excellent breakfast the next day. We baked it as a loaf for the book, but you can certainly bake it in a round or square pan too.

Stay safe out there everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!


Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake with Maple Olive Oil Glaze from Snacking Cakes

Pumpkin cake isn’t just for the fall, and this version, spiked with a bit of allspice and black pepper, has a hit of warmth that makes it more exciting than your average pumpkin spice mix. The glaze has a sweet and savory thing going on that pairs beautifully with the spices. If you prefer your pumpkin cake unadorned, feel free to skip the glaze and just sprinkle a few tablespoons of untoasted pepitas over the top of the cake batter before it goes into the oven.



Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake

1 cup (200g) light brown sugar

2 large eggs


1 cup (230g) pumpkin puree


½ cup (120ml) olive oil

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

A few grinds of black pepper

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1½ cups (190g) all-purpose our

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons chopped toasted pepitas (optional)

 

Maple Olive Oil Glaze

1 cup (100g) confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil


2 tablespoons maple syrup


1 to 2 tablespoons hot water

Pinch of kosher salt

Chopped pepitas (optional)

Flaky salt (optional)



1. Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Line the pan with a strip of parchment paper that hangs over two of the edges.

2. MAKE THE CAKE: In a large bowl, whisk the brown sugar and eggs until pale and foamy, about 1 minute. Add the pumpkin puree, olive oil, cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, pepper, and kosher salt. Whisk until smooth and emulsified.

 3. Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda and whisk until well-combined and smooth.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles, and smooth the top of the batter with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the pepitas over the top if you are not going to glaze the cake.

5. Bake until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool for about 15 minutes. Then use the parchment paper
to lift the cake out of the pan and set it on the rack to cool completely.

6. MAKE THE GLAZE: Combine the confectioners’ sugar, olive oil, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of the hot water, and a pinch of kosher salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more water as necessary to make a thick but pourable glaze.

7. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and sprinkle with the pepitas and flaky salt, if desired. Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes before slicing the cake. (Store the cake, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to three days.)

Use Another Pan

LOAF: Bake in a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan until puffed and golden, and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll need a half batch of glaze to coat the cake in a thin layer.

ROUND: Bake in a 9-inch round pan until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes.

SHEET: Double the ingredients for the cake and bake in a
9 x 13-inch pan until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Double the ingredients for the glaze, too.

Dress It Up

Add a dollop of Brown Sugar Whip (page 180) or a scoop of ice cream (or both!) to slices of cake before serving.

Flavor Variations

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE: Prepare the cake as directed, then fold in ½ cup (85g) chopped bittersweet chocolate just before pouring the batter into the pan. Top with Cocoa Glaze (page 135).

 RYE PUMPKIN CAKE: Substitute ½ cup (65g) light rye flour for the all-purpose flour. This version is also quite nice with a bit of chocolate folded into the batter.