Gluten-free olive oil cake gets a flavor boost from lemon zest and almond flour, keeping it grain-free and dairy-free to boot. Enjoy this incredibly moist, tender, springy cake on its own, or serve it up with whipped cream and fresh spring berries. Also, a farewell to someone special.
A Dainty Gentleman
Huge thanks to everyone for your love, support, and suggestions regarding our dear Catamus in my last post, which feels like ages ago now. We very sadly said goodbye to him on Friday, May 8th, when it became clear that his condition was worsening. We didn't want him to suffer needlessly anymore. Though we're heartbroken to have lost our darling boy, missing him terribly every minute of every day, we feel lucky to have so many caring friends and family who have helped us through this time. Thank you for being among them.
Catamus has been a huge part of TBG since the day we brought him home in February of 2011. We met this spry 2-year-old from Yolo County at the SPCA one wintry night. He charmed us by giving us head butts and showing us his belly, circling us as we sat in his area, and looking up at us with a pair of intense golden eyes as if to say "It's me! Take me home!" Looking into his expressive eyes was like looking into a human's. We fell hard for this quirky little person.
Jay and I both work from home, so Catamus was not only like a child to us over the years, but also a co-worker or purrrrsonal assistant.
Catamus would sit directly behind me in the kitchen as I cooked, swishing his tail underfoot, and getting incensed when I'd inevitably step on it. He would walk around my desk as I wrote, knocking things over with his long, curly tail, which seemed to have a mind of its own. He only wanted to sit on my lap when I was typing on my lap keyboard, which he would step on. And he would try to lick whatever I was shooting, often photobombing shots in the process.
As I wrote posts late at night, he would make biscuits on the back of the couch next to my desk before settling in for a snooze, lending moral support during those long hours.
Catamus would sit at the table with us at mealtimes. We learned that he liked odd foods such as oatmeal, popcorn, roasted broccoli, feta cheese, and padron pepper stems. He had a special fondness for almonds in all forms, particularly almond butter and anything made with almond flour.
While developing this gluten-free olive oil cake for my Alternative Baking column in GFF Magazine in 2018, I left the cake to cool on the dining table. When I came back to remove the cooled cake from the pan, I noticed that there were ruts in the top of the cake. After some confusion, I realized that Catamus had quietly climbed onto the table and licked divots in the top of the cake when I wasn't looking. The slices shown in these photos were all I could salvage.
Catamus accrued many names and titles over the years including, in no particular order, Prince Catamus of Orange, Sir Catamus, Catumas (pronounced cuh-TOO-mus), Catamonious, Catamus J. Cat Esq., HRH (His Royal Highness), The Dainty Gentleman, Fluffy Pants, Catmandu, Catamus Toes, Sunny Cat, Red, and the name he came with from the SPCA: Helios, the sun titan who drives the sun up each morning in a horse-drawn chariot.
Quite fitting.
Catamus knew his name(s) and would swish his long, thick tail whenever we'd say "cat." He didn't love pets or snuggles, but he enjoyed being shoved onto the ground and smacked really hard. Jay would play him like a drum in time to whatever music we had on. When he'd stop, Catamus would yowl for more. He apparently had a brother named Spanky who got adopted first. Clearly "liking it rough" ran in the family.
Without Catamus, our apartment feels hollow and strange. I keep expecting to see him when I walk into a room, and imagining that I hear his toes clicking on the hardwood floor, his tail thumping on the rug, his claws scratching his post (or the couch, or the upholstered chair). He was a ray of sunshine in our lives. I'm so grateful to have gotten to bask in his presence these nine years.
A dear friend of mine wrote, and this has become my mantra, "It’s an honor to hurt so much. Because the grief is a measure of the love. And the love is a blessing. The love doesn't go away."
Indeed it does not.
Gluten-Free Olive Oil Cake
This is a cake fit for a king (or cat prince). It gets a light, springy texture from whipped egg whites, loads of moisture and fruity flavor from olive oil, and a meltingly tender texture from almond and tapioca flours. It's gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free.
It's plenty flavorful eaten plain, with a cup of tea or coffee. Or you can serve slices with any seasonal fruit: rhubarb compote or berries in the spring, plums or nectarines in the summer, fresh figs in the fall, or citrus supremes in the winter. It makes enough to share with a friend (animal or human) if you like.
If you whip one up this holiday weekend, say a good word for our dear Catamus. We miss him terribly.
Have you lost a beloved animal friend? If you feel inspired to share, please do below. It's nice to connect around this kind of thing.
More favorite almond flour recipes:
- Gluten-Free Almond Flour Tart Crust
- Fluffy GF Almond Flour Pancakes
- Gluten-Free Meyer Lemon Almond Cake
- Chocolate Almond Olive Oil Cake
Gluten-Free Olive Oil Cake with Lemon & Almond Flour
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 teaspoons room temperature coconut oil, for the pan
- ½ cup flavorful extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup + ¼ cup organic granulated sugar (divided use)
- finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon
- ¼ cup strained fresh lemon juice
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- ¼ cup tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions
- Position a rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat to 325ºF. Rub the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan or cake pan with the coconut oil. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper, and rub the parchment with coconut oil as well. If using a springform pan, place on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, ½ cup sugar, lemon zest and juice, and egg yolks to combine. Place a mesh strainer over the top and sift in the almond and tapioca flours, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Place the egg whites and cream of tartar in the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment (or use a large bowl and electric egg beater). Whip on medium-high speed until foamy. With the mixer running, gradually add in the remaining ¼ cup sugar and continue to whip until the egg whites are shiny and hold firm peaks when you lift the whip out and hold it upside-down. Fold one-third of the whipped egg whites into the batter, then fold in the remaining egg whites. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake the cake until deep golden on top, beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan, and the top springs back when pressed lightly, 40-45 minutes. If the cake is darkening too quickly, tent the top with a piece of aluminum foil. Let the cake cool slightly, then loosen the edges with a small, offset spatula and release the sides if using a springform pan. Invert the cake onto the wire rack and peel away the parchment, then turn right side up and let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if using, cut into wedges, and serve with cream and berries if you like. The cake keeps well airtight at cool room temperature for 1 day or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Aysegul says
I am very sorry Alanna. I know it is so hard right now, but I promise you that it will get easier. It won't go away but it will become a part of your life.
What I know for sure is that death is not the end and our loved ones are with us all the time.
I wish we were living close and I could be there to go through this with you. Still, I am always here if you need a friendly voice/ear.
Sending you the warmest hugs my friend. XO
Alanna says
Thank you for the kind words Ice. I know you've been intimately acquainted with grief. I really appreciate your wisdom. I wish we could spend a day together too. Maybe a phone catchup soon? xoxo
Eve says
Absolutely and Exactly the recipe I've been looking for.Your beautiful story is a reminder of my recently departed Bubba, Bubbs Bubbles, Bubba Wubba., Pusska, Pixie, Pussy Wussy Puddin Pie... And so on..... He was a peaches and Cream tabby and was a pretty boy
Alanna says
Bubba sounds like an absolute gem. I'm so sorry for your loss as well. I'm happy that this recipe is exciting to you, please let me know how you like it!
Leeanna says
I love this story!!!...And I cannot wait to perfect the recipe!!!!❤
Alanna says
Thank you Leeanna. Let me know if you try it.
Cathleen Dyer says
Hi there!
I look forward to trying this cake. As I am, I always have my.eyes open for eloquent delicious lookimg recipes like this one....meanwhile words expressing your love and loss for Catamous are hard to find at this time. If I may offer this poem ny Irving Townsend...it has helped me through a dew difficult times.
.
...........Fragile Circle.....
We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.
.
Alanna says
This is an absolutely beautiful poem. Thank you so much for sharing it with me. I'll read it over and over. <3
Jerrie Cook says
I'd like to share my cat story with you. Several years ago I make an artichoke dip for a work potluck. As I was getting ready for my work day I put the casserole dish with the lovely looking dip on the counter. I covered it was plastic wrap and went off to finish getting ready for work. When I came back to the kitchen my grand cat Taz was sitting beside the casserole dish lapping up the dip! Needless to say I had nothing to take for potluck that day.
Just hold your memories of your little prince in your heart. There will come a day that it won't hurt as much and your memories will give you pleasure. 🙏🏻🐈💕
Alanna says
Ha, hilarious! Cats are so sneaky. Taz is a great cat name too. Yes, I'm looking forward to the day when the pain is gone and I just feel love for Prince Catamus. Thanks so much for sharing your story and for the kind words.
Kaye says
Sounds like a receipe I'd like to try! Suits my dietary needs except for the sugar that would need to be replaced with my alternatives. Made a carrot cake with almond flour over the w/e and it's so moist. Am sorry you have lost your puss Catamus. We know too well that pain! Our last pussy Benson had just been diagnosed with cancer when we were about to leave on an o/s trip that we couldn't cancel. Adding to the stress was to find a cattery that would look after Benson who the vet felt with special medication could live comfortably till we got back. No way could we end his life before we left. Fortunately a little rural cattery agreed to care for him. It was so hard to say goodbye to him. It was the last goodbye as Benson took very ill and died 5 days before we arrived home and we were shattered to have parted company with our little black and white puss on these terms. The owners of the cattery had done everything they could for him and we were so grateful. We had left vet and funeral arrangements for Benson with them if necessary. My son collected him in the little white box I'd left with them and Benson is buried under the rose arch in our back garden. Two weeks later friends brought their cat Saffron home from the same cattery after we had recommended it to them and told us there was a little all black puss who had not been picked up and had been there for about 3 months. He needed new parents. We were so grateful for the care they had given Benson that, although still heavy hearted over losing Benson, we decided to let the cattery owners know we would take abandoned puss. It was love at first sight and we renamed him Hamish and the rest is a lovely story of love and devotion and control from our new baby. He was Heaven sent as God knew losing Benson broke our hearts. May I suggest you both rescue another puss sooner than later. This helped us a lot and gave Hamish a new Mummy and Daddy he so needed. He has never got over the separation anxiety he developed from being dumped. Fortunately we are retired so we all have a lot of time to spend together. Be brave and rescue another liitle puss soon. It won't be long before you know you made the right decision! God bless. Kaye K.
Alanna says
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your story with me. I'm so sorry that you lost your precious Benson, and that you didn't get to officially say goodbye to him. That's so awful. I'm really glad you found Hamish and have given him a good home. I know there will be more cats in my future someday too. Appreciate the encouragement.
Marianne White says
Love your gluten free recipes
Alanna says
So glad you're enjoying them.
Elizabeth P says
What a beautiful ode to your little cat man. He was well-loved and cared for. The holes in your hearts and lives are big but they will always be full of wonderful memories of Catamus.
This delicious cake is cooling on a rack right now. I made a couple of "test" cupcakes as always. They're gone. So delicious!! I can tell this is going to be even better tomorrow as you promised. There wasn't quite enough almond flour so I used 1.5 cups of almond flour, 1/4 cup oat flour, 1/4 cassava flour in place of the 2 cups of almond flour. The rest of the recipe was the same. It's got a delicious crumb and the lemon flavor is lovely. I can't wait to have more tomorrow! Thank you for the wonderful recipes and cookbook. We very much appreciate all your work and time.
Marty says
So sorry for your loss. I am sending peace and light to guide him on his journey. I have a "red" Maine coon. His name is Sunny. He is my sunshine cat. Two years ago he had his teeth cleaned and had a problem with the anesthesia. He woke up in seizures. He sustained brain trauma and was blind. He still is. His seizures are, for the moment, controlled. He had to relearn everything, walking, eating, using the litter box, stairs. He will never be who he was, (running up and down the stairs, playing fetch, jumping in the air to get a catnip mouse), but he is who he is. He still is a kind, gentle and loving individual, who takes each day as it comes. All my fur children have taught me many things. I wish humans could be more like them.
Looking forward to making this cake. Hard to make moist gluten free desserts.
Alanna says
Thank you so much for the kind words Marty, it really means a lot to me. I love all cats but have a special obsession with Maine coons. Sunny sounds like a beautiful soul. That's absolutely horrible what happened to him from the anesthesia. I'm so sorry. You sound like a really amazing cat parent to give him such love and care.
Catamus also didn't handle anesthesia well. I wonder if it's a redhead thing? I've heard that human gingers are also more sensitive to anesthesia. Maybe it's the same with cats? We got Catamus's teeth cleaned once and it was so troubling watching him wobble around afterward that Jay decided he was going to brush his teeth every night, which he did until his final days. Catamus never learned to love it.
Please let me know if you give the cake a try and what Sunny thinks of it.
Claire says
Hi Alanna,
So sorry to hear about Catamus. I had a tabby who was a found cat and a runt, never made it over 9 pounds. Saying goodbye to him, many years ago, was really hard. I feel for you.
I made this cake, and it was DELICIOUS. Absolutely delicious. And so moist. Mine poofed up a lot and sunk when it cooled. I turned it upside down and left it that way until all the way cool and then it didn't look so deflated. Cherries and ice cream (because I didn't have any whipping cream) made for a nice Memorial Day/Anniversary dessert.
Oh, and I just cut the recipe in half, made a 6" cake which was perfect for one meal.
So glad I found this.
And much sadness for your loss.
Claire
Alanna says
Hi Claire! Aw your tabby sounds like he was a great friend. Thank you for your understanding. And thank you for trying my recipe, I'm honored! So smart to cool the cake upside down, I'll have to try that next time. Happy anniversary to you and Joel! Cherries and ice cream, yum!
Melanie says
What a beautiful tribute to Catamus! I still have teary eyes from reading the post (such great photos!). I have been wondering about him since your last post. I'm sorry he's gone, but glad you guys had him in your lives.
My partner and I lost our Poof cat this winter after battling diabetes and kidney disease. He was a fun, friendly, mischievous black cat that greeted anyone that came to our house with tail up (head of the welcome kitty committee). He was such a force of life and I miss him so much. He also accrued many nicknames, including Poof Broccoli and Posole Poof, reflecting some of the foods he made away with. He also had a special affinity for tomatoes and avocados, sometimes I would find the evidence of some sticky tomato seeds on the floor or an avocado peel licked clean. As he was nearing the end, he didn't have an appetite for much food. But I had made some pan-seared salmon one night, and he gobbled it up. I was overjoyed that he was eating and enjoying something good, and gave him as much as he wanted. He passed within a couple weeks. At his memorial dinner we had some of his favorites - the pan-seared salmon, roasted broccoli and a side of plain cherry tomatoes.
I'll make this cake soon and think of your buddy, Catamus.
Alanna says
Aw thank you for the sweet note. I'm so sorry for your loss of Poof - he sounds like a real character! How amazing that he loved posole, tomatoes, and avocado. Cats are such little people, each with their own quirky tastes and behaviors. His memorial dinner sounds delicious. You must miss him so much.
Please let me know if you make this cake. Thank you again for your kind note, I really appreciate it. <3
Sue says
Made this weekend. The best cake I've ever made. So moist be and delicious 😋
Alanna says
I'm so glad you loved it!
Nina Giuliani says
Dear Alanna - Sending you and Jay thoughts and care as you continue to learn to live with the empty spaces where Catamus should be in your home. He will continue to fill the spaces in your heart always. I will miss seeing him in your posts. Take care. Nina
Alanna says
Thank you, Nina, for reading and for the very kind words, I really appreciate it.
Sheryl says
I love your post. Having just adopted a young orange ("marmalade") boy after my husband died, it brought all of it back to me but also how lucky I am to smile everyday at my new young friend "Mojo". He sits and watches me in the kitchen and loves most everything I make, which I know is not a sign of my cooking skills but I I take it as a badge of honour just the same. I will make your loaf and will think lovingly of your orange boy as I share it with mine.
Alanna says
Gosh I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your husband. I can only imagine how difficult losing him must have been. I wish I could give you a big hug.
Mojo is a GREAT cat name! I'm so glad you have a little orange buddy to share your life and food with. Please let me know how you (both) enjoy the cake. Much love to the both of you. <333
Marcia says
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear pet. We had a ginger tabby ( more pink than orange) Named Topaz for 21 years before she passed. My husband was the night supervisor at a chemical company that made printing pigments & one of the employees found her under an empty barrel. She was covered in yellow pigment and so tiny that I thought we would have to bottle feed her, but fortunately didn’t have to. She was an excellent mouser, always awarding her prize into the shoes of my husband or son. One of her favorite pastimes was “helping” me when I quilted, rearranging the patterns I’d laid out on the floor whenever my back was turned. She’s been gone 17 years but even though we’ve had other wonderful cats, she still is my favorite, and I still miss her. Thank you for bringing back happy memories with your loving tribute to Catamus.
I plan on making your cake for my Granddaughter’s 14th birthday. It looks wonderful!
Alanna says
Awwww Topaz sounds like a really special kitty. What an amazing story about how you found her. Such a lucky girl to have such doting pawrents. How kind of her to leave offerings in your shoes (ha!) and to "help" you quilt. I really appreciate your sweet note. I dreamed about Catamus last night and still miss him very dearly.
Please let me know how the cake turns out. Happiest birthday to your granddaughter! <333
HeidiA says
Hi Alanna, I love all your GF recipes! This one sounds so delicious and I can’t wait to try it. But I was wondering if you have ever experimented with a “mug” cake recipe for the microwave? I’d love to make a mug cake for my celiac daughter once in a while, for a quick and yummy desert for her! I’ve checked out King Arthur flour mug mixes and can’t bring myself to give it to her- it’s main ingredient is SUGAR! I figure that there must be a way to adapt this or another basic cake recipe of yours to a mug cake. Any suggestions?
Alanna says
Hi Heidi, Thank you so much for the sweet note! I love the idea of making healthier GF mug cake, but sadly I don't have a microwave! I have a small apartment kitchen and a microwave would take up most of our counterspace. BUT! There are two recipes that look delicious here. I would give one of those a try! This chocolate peanut butter cake could also be adapted to a mug cake I bet. You could take down the sugar or use coconut sugar instead.
Carolyn says
Delicious!! My gluten- and dairy-sensitive husband loves it, as do I! Have made it 3x in one weekend now :) Having trouble turning out the cake onto a wire rack without ruining/tearing the top. Perhaps I’m not allowing it to cool long enough in the pan. Any other tips ? Thank you so much
Alanna says
Oh I'm so glad you two love it!
The top of the cake *is* delicate, so if you have a springform pan, that works best so that you don't have to turn it upside-down to get it out of the pan. If you don't have one, you could try shoving piece of parchment paper into the pan like this and then using the parchment "handles" to pull it out. This method will crease the sides of the cake however.
One more option would be to try chilling the cake before turning it out. This might make it firm up so that it's sturdier to handle.
Let me know what you try!