Baked goods like pound cake usually contain a large amount of butter or oil to keep them moist and fluffy. Vegetable oil, butter, lard and shortening contain large amounts of saturated fat, which can cause heart disease, stroke and heart attacks. According to the Mayo Clinic's Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., olive oil is a healthier alternative to vegetable oil, butter, lard or shortening, because it contains monounsaturated fat instead of saturated fat. Substitute olive oil for vegetable oil, lard, shortening or butter in your baking for a healthier dessert.
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Cut a vanilla bean lengthwise with a knife, then scrape out the seeds from the vanilla bean with a small spoon. Set the seeds aside.
3. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on the baking pan, then use a paper towel to spread the oil around. Sprinkle the pan with a small amount of flour.
4. Combine 1 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 cups sugar, vanilla seeds and 3 cups flour in an electric mixer. Blend until mixed thoroughly.
5. Add 3 eggs at a time while the mixer is blending until all 9 eggs have been added.
6. Pour the mixture into the pan. If you are using a rectangular pan, cook for 1 hour. If you are using a circular pan, cook for 80 minutes.
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