The holiday season is synonymous with baking, don’t you think? My normal baking repertoire typically consists of sugar cookies, meringues, fudge, and spritz cookies. This year I wanted to try something a little different and new. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Moms Meet when they sent me four 100 mL bottles of European Extra Virgin Olive Oil and some recipe cards. I decided to create olive oil and orange poppy seed bites. I’ve been wanting to try baking with olive oil (being married to someone who is part Italian will do that I guess) and this recipe did not disappoint! Check out the recipe below including the variations I made. I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

olive oil recipe

I like cooking with olive oil because of it’s superior flavor, low acditicy, and high smoke point. However, I was a little unsure about this whole thing when I started. I knew European Extra Virgin Olive Oil could be amazing in baked goods but I had never used it before in that way. I’ve also never used poppy seeds before in anything. Going into uncharted territories for a blog post could go downhill really quickly. Especially since I decided to make some slight changes to the European Extra Virgin Olive Oil recipe that was provided me. I replaced brown flour with all-purpose white flour and instead of lime zest I used orange zest. I also only use dark brown sugar instead of light, which can be a much more intense flavor. We have several orange trees in the backyard and orange always seems so festive to me during the holidays.

I was very pleasantly surprised when these olive oil and orange poppy seed bites came out of the oven and not only did they look okay, but they tasted amazing! The orange zest gives them a nice, subtle flavor. I also think that the dark brown sugar helped to tone down any sweetness and it was just enough. I really think I might have added a new dessert to our normal holiday baking line-up.

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Olive Oil and Orange Poppy Seed Bites

Cook Time

12 mins

 

These simple little orange and poppy seed bites are just sweet enough to enjoy as dessert but not over the top!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 30

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup powdered almonds
• 1 zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup dark brown sugar plus more for rolling
• 3 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Next, add in almonds, orange zest, and salt. Set aside.

3. Separately, combine brown sugar, poppy seeds, and olive oil. Mix with a spatula (you may need to use a fork to break up brown sugar clumps). Add eggs and vanilla and stir until smooth.

4. Add to dry ingredients in stand mixer and mix together with a dough hook until just incorporated.

5. Fill a small bowl with brown sugar. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls and roll in the brown sugar. Stick on lined baking sheet two inches apart.

6. Bake for 10-13 minutes until tops are cracked and lightly browned. Let cool for 5 minutes then move to a wire rack.

Have you ever baked with olive oil? What do you like to make?