Tweetle Dee Design Co.: Rustic Olive Oil & Lemon Cake

Last week we added the Donna Forte Barn Quilt to our collection of folk art inspired barn quilts. To celebrate it's Italian heritage we are sharing a recipe rooted in tradition, warmth, and earthiness feels just right—something that evokes an Italian farmhouse kitchen, passed down through generations, just like the strength this quilt honors.

This cake is tender, subtly sweet, and beautifully simple—just like the women who inspire the Donna Forte design. It’s made with rich olive oil, fresh lemon zest, and a touch of vanilla. It’s the kind of cake you’d find cooling on a windowsill while the kitchen hums with stories and strong hands at work.

Rustic Olive Oil & Lemon Cake

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
3 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
Zest of 2 lemons
1 tsp vanilla extract
raw sugar

Optional glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar
2–3 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan or 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and creamy. Add olive oil, milk, lemon juice, zest, and extract.
Slowly fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Pour into the prepared pan and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and drizzle with glaze if desired.

Donna Forte Barn Quilt
I think you’ll love it—it’s the kind of cake that gets even better the next day, perfect with morning tea or a slow afternoon. The glaze is form a sweet lemony crunch and the bread is so very good. I hope you enjoy this recipe while painting, reading or writing a little of your own "strong" story.