Gently fold in the flour by hand, taking care not to knock out the air, then gently stir in the olive oil.
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes; start testing after 25 minutes in case your oven runs slightly hot — you don’t want to overbake this moist, tender cake.
Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Run a knife round the sides of the cake then leave it to cool in the tin. When cold, cover tightly with foil or clingfilm or a place in a large zipper lock bag (storing the cake in its tin helps keep it moist).
Up to an hour before serving, release the cake from the tin. Lay a cooling rack on top of the cake and dust with icing sugar to create a grid pattern.
Serve with a scoop or two of olive oil ice cream if making or vanilla ice cream.
judirose