Because the ladies here in Cyprus are so used to baking these items, and most are taught verbally from mother to daughter, the recipe ingredients vary and so do the quantities, a rough guide is laid out to assist with the measurements with the recipes. Most of the baking was and is done in stone ovens outside so temperatures vary; a moderate oven is approximately 150c. Experiment and judge are the key words with these recipes.

• 1 cup flour is equal to 150grams
• 1 cup sugar 230 grams
• 1 cup liquid is equal to 225ml
• 1 cup is approx equal to 16 tablespoons
• 1 tablespoon is equal to 3 teaspoons
• Nb: 1 cup CASTER sugar is equal to 130 grams

Olive Oil Cake

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups of Olive Oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1.5 cups sugar
• 3.5 cups all purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tab spoon cinnamon
• Pinch clove powder
• (Or ½ tablespoon mixed spice)
• Grated rind of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Separate eggs and beat whites stiff

Method

Beat olive oil, sugar, egg yolks, spices and lemon rind together, stir in baking powder diluted in milk then carefully add lemon juice and baking soda together, mix ingredients together, gently fold in flour and then beaten stiff egg whites, transfer into baking tin and place into a preheated moderate oven (150c) for about one hour or until knife is clean

Apple Cake

Ingredients

• ½ cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of brandy
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 ½ cup of all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 5 eggs
• Pinch clove powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 kg apples cut into thin slices
• Juice of 1 lemon

Method

Sift flour and mix dry ingredients in together, add the oil, brandy and lemon juice and gently mix, stir in apples and fold in beaten eggs. Gently mix ingredients together and pour into a greased cake tin. Bake in a moderate, preheated oven (150c) for an hour or until knife comes out clean.

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup Olive oil
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 250 grams chocolate (confectionery/cooking)
• 500grams self raising flour
• 5 eggs
• Cut chocolate into small pieces
• Separate eggs and beat whites stiff

Method

Beat olive oil, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, add chocolate pieces and mix in sieved flour, carefully mix egg yolks and mix together, gently fold in egg whites and pour into oiled cake tin, bake in a moderate oven for about an hour or until knife comes clean.