I'm going to let you in on a secret. It's a pretty big secret and I'm so excited that I was finally allowed in on it. To me it's a very exciting secret. Ok I'll stop teasing, I was finally invited to join the Secret Recipe Club. If you haven't heard of it, you apply to be part of the club (only a certain number of people can be a part of it at a time so it's not too hard to manage). I've been on the waiting list for about a year.
Once you get accepted, each month you are assigned to a blog (and someone to yours). You then pick a recipe from that blog, make it and blog about it all at the same time (hence why I'm blogging at 3am). It's a great way to gain exposure, 'meet' new bloggers and discover fabulous blogs.
My very first Secret Recipe assignment was Italian in the Midwest. As the name suggests, Pola is an Italian living in the Midwest in the USA. She's studying for her PhD (she's very smart!). All that studying works up an appetite though and Pola loves the kitchen. I think studying a PhD gives her the right to cook up big time and of course, being Italian, she likes to bring a little bit of Italy to her kitchen so very far from home.
Pola has Sunday pasta which I think makes us pretty similar because Sunday night in this house is pizza night (similar right?). I had such a tough time choosing something to make from her wonderful recipes. I had a little giggle at the Toll House cookie recipe. Has anyone seen that episode of Friends?
After much deliberation I finally settled on the Simple Lime Cake. I loved that it was 'simple' and I had a bag full of limes from my visit to the Noosa Farmers Markets. According to my non-citrus-loving friend it was 'just the right amount of lime.' I thought it was deliciously light and not too dry thanks to the lime syrup poured over the top. It made the perfect afternoon tea treat.
It was seriously easy to make and for an Italian twist, Pola used olive oil instead of butter. I actually like the texture and depth the olive oil gives it. Of course I had to 'Aussie' it up a bit so I topped it with toasted macadamias for crunch and coconut chips because I'm obsessed with coconut at the moment and I think the chips are pretty. Enjoy the cake warm or at room temperature with a cup of espresso (to be authentically Italian!). Enjoy!
What about you? Have you used olive oil in place of butter in a cake?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- 115 g caster sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 170 g plain flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- zest and juice of 2 limes separate zest and juice
- ½ cup water
- 4 tablespoon extra caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted crushed macadamia nuts
- ¼ cup coconut flakes
- icing sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 170C fan-forced.
- Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking paper.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs together until nice and thick and pale.
- With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until it is all incorporated and the mixture is a pretty light yellow colour.
- Add the sugar and salt and keep beating then add the sifted flour and baking powder and the lime zest and beat until mixed in.
- Spread the batter into the tin and bake for 40 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Heat the extra sugar, lime juice and water over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Take it off the heat and set aside.
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, use a skewer to prick it all over then pour over the lime juice.
- Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin.
- Heat a small non-stick frying pan over medium heat and gently toast the coconut chips just to give them some colour.
- Remove to a plate to cool.
- Take the cake out of the tin and top with the nuts and coconut then sprinkle with icing sugar.
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Jennifer (Delicieux) says
Love the idea of this club! Sounds like a lot of fun. And your lime cake looks fabulous. Love the coconut shavings on top.
Claire says
It's a great idea isn't it? Thanks Jennifer!
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
How fun is that?! I didn't know there was a long waiting list, perhaps I should think twice and sign up. You did a lovely job with the cake.. and I love your changes. I've made an olive oil cake and I love the flavor it adds. Very pretty, Claire!! xx
Claire says
Yep it's a very popular secret Barbara!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a pretty cake, I love your coconut & macadamia topping!
Leigh says
What a gorgeous cake and I loved that you added the macadamia nuts - perfect combination!
Claire says
Thanks Leigh!
Lisa~~ says
Welcome to the SRC. I am a huge citrus lover and your cake sounds wonderful.
If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my SRC entry Lemon Almond Biscotti.
Lisa~~
Claire says
Thanks Lisa! Lemon almond biscotti sounds delicious. Off to check it out now.
Hotly Spiced says
I didn't get the invite! Congrats to you. I think it's a really good idea and sounds like a lot of fun. This cake looks so yummy. I'm starving right now and could certainly do with a big slab xx
Claire says
I'm sure you'll be in soon Charlie! It's a great idea isn't it. Well if you lived closer I'd happily drop a slice around x
Kristin says
Oh now I feel like cake! I love using olive oil in my cakes, so yummy. This recipe has been added to my 'to bake' list x
Claire says
That list must be getting rather long! x
Trisha says
Welcome aboard Claire .... wish u loads of fun in the months ahead! This cake sounds delicious. I love how you've dressed it up too.
Claire says
Thanks Trisha!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Wow a waiting list for a year! That's amazing :O I adore Pola and you so two of my favourite bloggers in one post-yay! :D
Claire says
Yep I hung in there Lorraine! Yay!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
this is such a cool project - how fun to take part! And I would never have thought to use olive oil - but it sounds pretty yummy. I like your Aussie additions :)
Claire says
Isn't it? It feels a bit rebellious being part of a secret club too. Thanks Stephanie!
Jess says
Welcome to SRC, friend!!! I love the taste of lime, but can never get behind those lime tarts and pies....lime cake though? This might be the answer!
Claire says
Ahh you must be just like my friend Jess. She't not that big a fan of really citrussy things but this was just the right amount for her. Thanks for the welcome!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
Love lime with coconut. A beautiful way to top it!
Claire says
Thanks Barbara I thought so!
cooking rookie says
I just saw this in the SRC links and had to stop by see what this cake is all about. It sounds delicious and your pics are gorgeous! Great choice for SRC! I think it might be my first time on your blog - it's wonderful, I am happy I discovered it. Nice to meet you :-)
Claire says
Nice to meet you too Cooking Rookie. Thank you!
PolaM says
So you were my secret cook! I was looking forward to discover who it was and which recipe was chosen! I am glad you enjoyed my cake! I like the addition of nuts and cocunut: the texture contrast must have been nice!
Claire says
I was indeed. It was rather exciting! Yes the little bit of crunch on top was a nice surprise. Love that you added the syrup. Thanks for the recipe Pola!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
welcome to the SRC! i'm also in group A. this lime cake looks fabulous! great choice :)
Claire says
Thanks Sarah! Well then we might be assigned to each other one day!
Kerry says
Just letting you know I have it in the oven! I decorated it with very thin slivers of lime that was cooked in a sugar syrup just to soften. Hope it was enough! Anyway thank you both for the easy peasy recipe.
Claire says
That sounds wonderful Kerry! Hope you liked it!