Oranges are rich in Vitamin C , B1 and A. High amount of anti oxidant helps in increasing immunity. Body becomes resistant towards common cold, flu and infections.
Cakes are a form of sweet food prepared from flour, butter, eggs, essence and baking powder. They are prepared mostly during any form of celebration.
I had some fresh oranges so thought of making orange cake. Fresh orange juice and orange zest are the two main ingredients which gives flavour to the orange cake. Rest of the ingredients like flour, butter, eggs, baking powder, baking soda same ingredients used in an ordinary cake. I have not added any essence as I want the fresh flavour and taste of orange.
INGREDIENTS
- Maida 1 cup
- Sugar 1/3 cup
- Eggs 2
- Butter 40 gm or 3 tbsp
- Salt a pinch
- Orange juice 1 /4 cup
- Orange zest 1 tsp
- Baking powder 1 tsp
- Baking soda 1 /2 tsp
- Cardamom 2
METHOD
Sift maida, salt, baking powder and baking soda three times. This will help in mixing everything evenly.
In a blender blend the sugar with cardamom to a fine powder.
Keep it aside.
Wash and wipe oranges with kitchen towel.
Scrape the outer part and collect a tsp of orange zest. Keep it aside.
Cut and squeeze the orange and collect 1 /4 cup orange juice. Keep it aside.
Grease a baking tin of 5 and 1/2 inches in diameter with butter or ghee or Line it with parchment paper
Preheat oven for 10 minutes at 180 ° C.
Separate the whites and yolks of the eggs and beat both separately, egg whites till fluffy. Keep aside
In a large bowl add butter and powdered sugar, beat nicely with a beater till everything gets mixed up and is creamy.
Add the egg whites and yolks little at a time and beat. Dont overbeat or it will cuddle.
Add orange juice and zest and fold with a spatula.
Add maida little at a time and slowly fold it nicely with a wooden or plastic spatula. Just beat once at low speed .( if it is too thick add 3 to 4 tbsp of milk). Dont beat it too much.
Pour the mixture to a greased tin of 5 and 1/2 inch in diameter, tap it 2 to 3 times on the counter.
Immediately bake at 180° C at bake mode, lower rack for 25 to 30 minutes.
Keep an eye after 25 minutes. Insert a wooden skewer or knife to check whether the cake is done. If it comes out clean the cake is baked.
Cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy your orange cake with tea as evening snack or enjoy with icecream.
NOTE:
- Beat Butter and sugar for at least 5 – 10 minutes. Starting on low speed then gradually increasing speed.
- Sieve baking powder and maida/all purpose flour three times.
- Large metal spoons are used to fold eggs into batter so that eggs do not deflate.
- Preheat 10 minutes before you place the batter.
- To test whether the cake has cooked or not just insert a knife, if it comes out clean that means cake is cooked.
- While folding the flour work quickly but gently use a wooden or plastic spatula, dont use steel ladle.
