Description
Sicilian orange cake celebrates citrus brilliance with a moist, fragrant crumb that transports palates to Mediterranean groves. Sweet, tangy notes and simple ingredients create a delightful dessert you’ll savor to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp (10 g) baking powder
- 1/2 tsp (3 g) salt
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Prepare your baking workspace by setting the oven to 350°F and coating a round cake pan with a light layer of grease to prevent sticking.
- Combine the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt – in a mixing bowl, ensuring an even distribution of the powdery components.
- Using an electric mixer, blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and creates a creamy texture.
- Introduce eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, thoroughly integrating each before adding the next to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Pour fresh orange juice and grated zest into the mixture, stirring until the liquid and citrus elements are fully incorporated and the batter appears uniform.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using careful, minimal stirring to prevent developing a tough cake texture.
- Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure consistent baking.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring the cake’s progress by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully cooked.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely before serving or applying any additional frosting or glaze.
Notes
- Select ripe, fragrant oranges for the most vibrant citrus flavor and optimal zest extraction.
- Consider using cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for an extra tender, delicate crumb texture.
- Allow ingredients like butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even baking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum for better structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 266 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 146 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg