Sweet Treats Lemon Olive Oil Mini Cakes Bursting with Provencal Flavour
Cakes & Cookies · Dessert · Martine Bertin-Peterson · Provencal Recipes · TasteThis dessert will appeal to the citrus lover. I prepared these Lemon Olive Oil Mini Cakes as individual servings. You can, of course, make the same batter and bake as a single large cake. Personally, I love this recipe as it combines the flavours of Provence in one tiny (delightful) package – lemons, thyme, olive oil.
It’s a sweet finish to a summer meal.
Bonne dégustation!

Lemon Olive Oil Mini Cakes
This recipe is easy and delicious. The combination of tangy-sweet will convert even the non-dessert lover.
Ingredients
For the Cakes:
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp Grated Lemon Zest (from 2 lemons)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2/3 cup milk, whole
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh thyme finely minced + plus sprigs for garnish
For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Fresh Strawberries for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the cakes:
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees.
- Brush a 6- or 12-cup mini Bundt or muffin pan with the melted butter. Lightly dust with flour and shake out the excess.
- Pulse the granulated sugar and lemon zest in a blender until combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, then gradually pour in the olive oil and milk, pulsing until emulsified into a thin batter, about 30 seconds. NOTE: Don't over-blend or the cakes will be too puffy.
- Whisk 1 cup flour, the baking powder, salt and 1 teaspoon thyme in a small bowl.
- Add to the blender in 2 batches, pulsing lightly until just combined; stop to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake until the cakes just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and spring back when lightly touched, 28 to 30 minutes for a 6-cup Bundt pan and 22 to 25 minutes for a 12-cup Bundt or muffin pan.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then loosen the sides with a small knife and invert the cakes onto a rack.
Meanwhile, prepare the glaze:
- Whisk the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and butter until smooth, adding more lemon juice if the mixture is too thick.
- Drizzle over the warm cakes and garnish with thyme sprigs and strawberries (or other seasonal berries).

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Flambéed Chicken a Main Course with a SparkRelated Provence Articles
Discover the Olive Oil Producers of the Alpilles a Driving Tour by Village
November 1, 2024
“The origin of the olive tree is lost in time, coinciding and mingling with the expansion of the Mediterranean civilizations which for centuries governed the destiny of mankind and left their imprint on Western culture.” ~ International Olive Council Olives of Provence If you like olives, wine, and beautiful vistas, a driving or cycling tour …
Make this Easy Cake with Grenache Blanc Wine from Scratch
March 4, 2024
Last year, I celebrated International Grenache Day (September 15) by sharing a delicious cake created by Sue Tipton, owner and vintner of Acquiesce Winery, for which she doctors a box cake mix to make her Acquiesce Grenache Blanc Cake. Well, you know me — I love cooking too much to use mixes. With a few …
Savoury Quick Loaf a Ham and Olive Cake
October 14, 2020
What about a savoury snack or nibble with a glass of rosé? This savoury quick loaf a Ham and Olive Cake is a great snack or pre-dinner bite. It’s often enjoyed by kids here in France when they get home from school for their goûter. In French, this is called Cake aux Olives et Jambon - yes they use the English word “cake.”…
Lemony Olive Oil Ricotta Cake: A Sweet Treat from Atelier Laurel
July 20, 2026
This recipe for a delicious lemony olive oil ricotta cake is one of my favourites. The creamy, full-fat ricotta and olive oil keep the cake light, tender, and moist, while the fresh lemon zest adds a gentle citrus aroma that complements its mild sweetness. This dessert is elegant but easy to make. Enjoy it on …
No Comment