Portuguese Orange Cake

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Portuguese Orange Cake

This from scratch, yet simple, Portuguese orange cake recipe is moist and fragrant, with the most unreal bright orange flavour. Similar texture to a sponge cake, but with more moisture than even the best airy cakes you may have had. Both the zest and juice of three oranges are involved, so it is wonderfully orange-y and citrus-y.

Prep Time: 20 minute

Cook Time: 40 minute

Total Time: 1 hour

 Serves 9

Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup butter softened
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs separated, room temperature
  • 3 large oranges room temperature
  • 2 cups plain flour
  •  tsp baking powder
  • Icing’ sugar for dusting (optional)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease an 22cm square baking dish or line with baking paper.
  2. Beat butter and sugar on medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each.
  4. With mixer on low speed, add the zest and juice from all three oranges. The mixture will appear curdled at first – that’s ok.
  5. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until it comes together, pausing to scrape down sides of bowl as needed.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk flour and baking powder. With mixer speed on low, gradually beat into the butter mixture until just incorporated.
  7. In another bowl, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the cake batter to lighten it up, then gently fold in the rest. (Use a light hand so you don’t deflate the whites.)
  8. Scrape batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 35-45 minutes, until top feels springy when gently pressed and tester inserted in centre comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  9. Once cake is cooled, dust with icing sugar, if desired.

Recipe by Fooddess