Beyond the Ranch
How to Bake with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Curious about how to bake with extra virgin olive oil? You aren't the only one! Olive oil cakes are nothing new, but they’re becoming more and more popular for several...
How to Bake with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Curious about how to bake with extra virgin olive oil? You aren't the only one! Olive oil cakes are nothing new, but they’re becoming more and more popular for several reasons. Extra virgin olive oil is a wonderful alternative to butter and other cooking oils because of its nutritional benefits and unique flavor. It’s also a great way to keep your baked goods moist. In this blog, we explain when to use it, how to bake with it, and why you are going to love it. What’s the Best Kind of Olive Oil for Baking? Quality and flavor are critical when selecting an olive oil for baking. Extra virgin olive oil or EVOO is always going to be the best option because it comes from the first pressing, which means more health benefits and more flavor. For baking, we suggest using a mild extra virgin olive oil that’s buttery, fruity and not so bitter - like our Pasolivo Cucina Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you are looking to add a dash of flavor to your baked items, you can also try a flavored oil. We love our Tangerine Olive Oil in brownies and our Lemon Olive Oil in chocolate cake. The important thing to remember is that you don’t want the flavor of the oil to overpower the rest of the dessert. More robust and peppery olive oils like our Tuscan Olive Oil or Classic Olive Oil are better for salads, steaks and potatoes, but not necessarily baked goods. Is Light Olive Oil Healthier? Using anything labeled "extra light olive oil" won’t reduce the number of calories, it just means less flavor and less nutritional value. That’s because extra light olive oil is a mix of highly processed olive oil and other cooking oils like vegetable, peanut, and canola. How...
