Orange & Walnut Cake

by - Sunday, March 22, 2015


Some people take pottery classes for a hobby. Others knit. Some collect stamps, or bottles of perfume, or dessert spoons and forks. I would love to learn another language myself or even dust my French a bit, but for now I stick to baking, especially cakes. It's easy, inexpensive and oh so very yummy, like this Orange and Walnut cake here! 


Throughout the years I've found out there are a few tricks that turn a cake from simply tasty to delicious. All of them are significant, so pay some attention! 

First of all, always sieve your flour. It may seem pointless but what it does is make the cake mix lighter and more springy. Second and massively important is the use of a conventional oven. Baking powder and self raising flour both activate better without air, so forget your fan operated ovens when baking. Third, never open the oven door for the first 30 mins while your cake is rising, the cool air coming from outside will tip the balance of heat created inside and your cake may not rise. You don't want to risk that now, right?

As for the Orange and Walnut cake we have here, its baking difficulty is beginner's level, so all points not to give this a try have turned moot. 


  
What you will need

  • 200gr of flour
  • 150gr of caster sugar
  • 125gr of unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 4 eggs
  • 60gr of crushed walnuts
  • Zest from one orange
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 50ml of milk or orange juice




Preparation

Sieve your flour. Cream together the butter and sugar until you get a uniform mix. Add the flour, eggs, milk (or alternatively orange juice if you want a more potent orange taste), baking powder, orange zest, vanilla extract and keep mixing. When your cake mix is smooth fold the crushed walnuts in. Pour the mix into your baking tin after you've greased and floured it (unless it's a silicone mould, then you can skip this step) and put in the oven first for 30 mins at 180C and then another 30 mins at 160C. 

And that's it!

Now wasn't that easy to make? Do share your comments and photos if you bake this, I really do want to see your cakes too!


Until next time,

Dora

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2 comments

  1. I absolutely need to try this recipe :)

    I'm running a GHD eclipse giveaway, if you're interested, check this link:
    little taste of heaven

    ReplyDelete
  2. Let me know how it worked out!

    And thanks for informing me of your giveaway, but I have naturally straight hair and never use a straightener.

    Stay beautiful!

    ReplyDelete