A naturally gluten-free cake infused with fresh lemon, olive oil, and honey, bursting with juicy berries and topped with a bright, jewel-toned pomegranate glaze. This showstopper is perfect for summer gatherings or anytime you want a dessert that’s light, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
½ cup olive oil, ½ cup lemon juice, zest of 1 lemon, ¾ cup organic honey, 4 large eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
1½ cups gluten-free flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in the blueberries and raspberries.
1 cup fresh blueberries, 1 cup fresh raspberries
Let the batter rest for 5 minutes, then stir once more. Pour into the prepared cake pan, filling no more than ¾ full.Note: If you have extra batter, don’t toss it! Simply spoon it into greased ramekins or small cake pans lined with parchment paper. A light coating of coconut oil along the sides will help release the cakes easily after baking.
Bake the main cake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Smaller cakes or ramekins will bake faster—begin checking around the 20-minute mark. Cool the cake in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cake cools, whisk together the citrus juice, powdered sugar, and lemon juice (if using) until smooth and pourable. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or juice as needed.
¼ cup Grapefruit, Lemon, or 100% pomegranate juice, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp lemon juice
Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the citrus glaze over the top. Let it set before slicing and serving.
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More About This Recipe
Kitchen Tools You’ll Want
9-inch round cake pan (with parchment paper for easy removal)
Whisk + mixing bowls
Microplane or zester
Sifter for powdered sugar (optional, but helps keep the glaze silky smooth)
Cooking Tips
Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before baking to give the gluten-free flour time to hydrate. This helps the texture stay tender instead of gummy.
If you have leftover batter, spoon it into ramekins and bake mini versions! They cook faster and make cute individual servings.
The glaze sets quickly, so be sure the cake is completely cool before drizzling or it’ll melt right off.
For a bolder red glaze, use 100% pomegranate juice (not a blend), and sift the powdered sugar for a smooth finish.