Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, plus a tablespoon to sprinkle on top
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup cognac (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• zest of one orange
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 10-inch round cake pan and dust with flour.
2. Whisk the eggs with the olive oil in a bowl until combined. Add the sugar and whisk well to incorporate. Add the milk, cognac (if using), orange juice, and orange zest and whisk again.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the other dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt), and make a well in the center.
4. Pour the olive oil mixture into the dry ingredients, and whisk, starting from the center and working outward, until the batter is smooth.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and sprinkle remaining sugar on top. Bake cake until top is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cake cool before unmolding.