Chocolate Olive Oil Cake

Name: Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup olive oil; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; ½ cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon espresso powder; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

By Laura

Posted Feb 08, 2026

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This chocolate olive oil cake recipe is moist with a tender crumb and rich chocolate flavor. Plus, it’s and easy to make in one bowl – no mixer required.

a round chocolate olive oil cake topped with powdered sugar on a white cake plate. Two pieces are cut out of it, one is still on the cake plate and one is on a small round white plate in the background topped with raspberries. There is a bowl of raspberries in the top left corner and a striped towel in the bottom right corner.

If you get the craving for chocolate cake, but don’t want to have to pull out your mixer or spend a lot of time in the kitchen – this chocolate olive oil cake recipe will be your chocolatey hero.

It takes 5 minutes to mix and 25 to bake, then you just have to let it cool slightly and you’re ready to enjoy a delicious homemade chocolate cake – no box mix necessary.

This olive oil chocolate cake is a bakery-quality treat that takes minimal effort to make. You can serve it with chocolate frosting, chocolate ganache, or even easier – a dusting of powdered sugar and some fresh berries.

Using olive oil instead of butter gives this cake an incredibly tender crumb. It’s the type of dessert that feels elegant enough for guests, yet simple enough to make just because you’re craving a slice of really good chocolate cake.

up close photo of a piece of olive oil chocolate cake with a bite taken out so the moist texture is visible, topped with powdered sugar and a red raspberry

Chocolate Olive Oil Cake: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this chocolate olive oil cake recipe all in bowls like cocoa powder, sugar, flour, olive oil, etc.

Olive oil. use extra virgin olive oil for the best results. It’s mild and smooth and perfect for baking.
Granulated sugar. organic cane sugar is a great substitute.
Sour cream. full-fat greek yogurt works well in place of sour cream.
All-purpose flour. make this cake gluten-free by using a gluten-free all purpose flour blend.
Espresso powder. I don’t recommend skipping this ingredient, I use it in all my chocolate cakes because it enhances the chocolate flavor. You can order it on amazon and get it shipped to your house super fast!

a piece of chocolate and olive oil cake on a plate with a bite taken out of it and a fork on the right side of the cake on the plate. It's topped with powdered sugar and two raspberries. The rest of the cake and a bowl of raspberries are in the background

How to Make Chocolate Olive Oil Cake

Let’s walk through how to make this recipe together, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by lining a 9” round cake pan with parchment paper like you see in the photos below.

making chocolate olive oil cake - tracing the cake pan on a piece of parchment paper

making chocolate olive oil cake - the parchment paper is cut out into the shape of the cake pan with rectangular handles coming out of opposite sides, the round silver cake plate is by the paper.

Then, lightly grease the pans with butter or oil and set aside.

butter being brushed over parchment paper in a round silver cake plate

a round silver cake plate lined with parchment paper and greased on a gray background

Then, whisk the olive oil, granulated sugar, eggs, sour cream and vanilla together in a medium bowl.

making chocolate olive oil cake - eggs, olive oil, sugar, sour cream and vanilla in a bowl before whisking

making chocolate olive oil cake - eggs, olive oil, sugar, sour cream and vanilla in a bowl after whisking

Next, add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder and sea salt and whisk until smooth.

making chocolate olive oil cake - flour, cocoa powder, sea salt, baking soda, baking powder and espresso powder added to the wet ingredients in a glass bowl before whisking

chocolate and olive oil cake batter in a glass bowl on a gray surface

Evenly spread the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 26 minutes, or until the edges and top looks set and a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

olive oil chocolate cake batter spread into the prepared cake pan before baking

olive oil chocolate cake in a round, silver cake pan after baking

Put the cake pan on a wire cooling rack and let the cake cool completely in the pan.

olive oil chocolate cake in a round, silver cake pan after baking on a wire cooling rack with a striped towel in the lower right hand corner

Once cooled, transfer the cake to a cake plate. Then dust it with powdered sugar or slather your favorite frosting on top (I recommend chocolate buttercream frosting).

powered sugar being sprinkled over a chocolate olive oil cake on a white cake plate with two bottles of milk and raspberries in the background

a whole, baked chocolate olive oil cake on a white cake plate sprinkled with powdered sugar with raspberries and powdered sugar surrounding it

Serve

Serve the chocolate olive oil cake room temperature with a warm cup of coffee or tea for the perfect dessert. You can also serve it with a dollop of homemade whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate sauce.

Store/Freeze

Store leftover olive oil chocolate cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave if you like it a little warm. Or you can eat it cold or let it sit at room temperature to warm up a bit before enjoying.

a piece of chocolate olive oil cake on a plate with a fork on the right side of the cake on the plate. It's topped with powdered sugar and two raspberries. The rest of the cake and a bowl of raspberries are in the background

Chocolate and Olive Oil Cake Recipe FAQS

What kind of olive oil is best for baking this cake?

Use a mild extra virgin olive oil for the best results.

What does olive oil do in chocolate cake?

Olive oil makes chocolate cake incredibly moist with a tender, soft crumb. It also enhances the chocolate flavor.

Can you taste the olive oil in chocolate olive oil cake?

Nope not at all! When you use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil, the flavor is subtle and blends beautifully with the chocolate.

Is chocolate olive oil cake better than butter cake?

No, it’s not better just different. It is lighter and fluffier than a chocolate cake made with butter.

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!