Extra Virgin, Extra Sweet

By Honest Toil

Extra Virgin, Extra Sweet

A SWEET SPOT FOR EVOO?! We've got you! 

Our EXTRA VIRGIN / EXTRA SWEET series is a mini-cookbook of everything SWEET and EVOO at the same time. Developed by a handful of amazing (pastry) chefs, this series is the sweetest thing that ever happened to olive oil. 

The recipes are by friends and chefs we admire from Greece, the UK, Sweden, Berlin and Budapest. Each one took Honest Toil in their own direction, experimenting with sweetness, texture, and balance. Seeing how different cooks interpret the same oil has been a real reminder of what makes Honest toil such a versatile ingredient.

Unbaked blueberry cake batter in a pan with blueberries on top, on a white surface. Made with raw olive oil.

Why olive oil belongs in sweet food

At first it might sound unusual to use olive oil in cakes or ice cream, but when you think about what it actually brings, it makes perfect sense. Good extra virgin olive oil isn’t just fat, it’s fruit juice. It carries acidity, aroma, and a subtle bitterness that can balance sweetness instead of dulling it out. 

From a technical point of view, olive oil works well in baking because it keeps moisture in longer than butter. The natural antioxidants and monounsaturated fats help slow oxidation, which means bakes stay soft and flavourful for days. It also emulsifies easily, creating a tender texture without the need for heavy creaming or mixing.

And unlike neutral oils, a fresh, cold pressed olive oil adds its own quiet flavour, sometimes grassy, sometimes nutty, which gives depth to simple desserts. It’s the same thing that makes olive oil so satisfying in savoury food. 

Preparation of a dessert with dried fruits on a metal surface.

The people behind the plates

The Extra Virgin, Extra Sweet series brought together chefs, bakers and friends who share our love for good ingredients. Each recipe was a reflection of their own food culture and creativity, showing that great cooking doesn’t need to draw hard lines between sweet and savoury.

We’re endlessly grateful to everyone who took part and let us glimpse how Honest Toil found its way into their kitchens.

Allegra d'Agostini

Beth Adamson

Chelsea Turowsky

Despina Siahuli

Emily Cuddeford

Evelina Arnóczki

Helen Graham

Richard Fennel

You can find the full Extra Virgin, Extra Sweet collection on our recipe page. We hope it inspires you to try a spoonful of Honest Toil in your next bake!

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