Olive Oil Cake with Fennel Pollen

 

3 eggs

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 c. milk

2 c. whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. sea salt

2 T. fennel pollen (fiore di finocchio)

 

Preheat the oven to 350°. Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit a 12-inch cake pan (I usually make this in a 12-inch cast iron skillet); drizzle some olive oil into the pan, then place the parchment paper and slide it around so it’s well-oiled. Blend the eggs and sugar together in a medium-sized bowl, then stir in the olive oil and milk. In another large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and fennel pollen. Make a well in the dry ingredients, and slowly add the egg mixture, stirring just until blended. Do not over mix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan on top of the parchment paper. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Let the cake cool completely, then loosen the sides with a knife, and invert onto a serving plate (hold the plate against cake pan and flip…hopefully it will come out in one piece). Remove the parchment paper, slice, and eat.