Orange Almond Olive Oil Pound Cake
When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, orange cakes were quite popular. Today, you don’t see them as much, which is a pity because they are delightful.
This updated version contains fragrant orange blossom water, which adds a sophisticated element. If you can find it, use it, otherwise, I give instructions below for using almond extract.
This cake is also deliciously moist thanks to a glaze that is poured over it shortly after the cake has come out of the oven. This cake stays moist for days and days. Orange blossom water can be found at Middle Eastern grocery stores, or online. If you can’t find it, use almond extract.
They key to this cake is to gradually add each ingredient. Be patient and you will be rewarded.
Makes one round pound cake
1 2/3 cup sugar
Finely grated zest of 2 large oranges (don’t skimp)
4 eggs
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup orange juice
1 tbsp orange blossom water, or ¼ tsp almond extract
1 cup full-fat sour cream
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup almond flour, or ground almonds
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Glaze
2/3 cup sieved orange juice (no pulp)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp orange blossom water
Orange Icing
2 cups lightly packed icing sugar
4 tbsp + ½ tsp sieved orange juice
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an angel food cake pan with removable bottom, or a Bundt pan.
In a mixer bowl, combine sugar and the orange zest. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed so the orange zest can release its oils and infuse the sugar.
Add the eggs one at a time, and then beat them on medium-high speed for 5 minutes. The batter will lighten, thicken and increase in volume.
Reduce speed to lowest setting and gradually add the oil (don’t add all at once or you’ll deflate the air incorporated into the eggs). Gradually add the orange juice followed by the orange blossom water or almond extract.
Add the sour cream all at once and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the flour-almond mixture ½ cup at a time, incorporating each ½ cup before adding the next.
Scrape the bowl and stir to ensure everything is mixed and then transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake about 55-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the 2/3 cup orange juice and 1/3 cup sugar in a large measuring cup. Microwave 1 minute. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Add the orange blossom water. Prick the cake all over with a toothpick. Pour over ½ the glaze. Wait 5 minutes and then pour over the rest of the glaze. Let stand for 3-4 hours, or ideally overnight.
Loosen cake from the pan and transfer to a cake plate (present the one baked in the angel food cake pan top up, the Bundt pan top side down). Whisk the icing ingredients until smooth and the consistency of thick buttermilk. Pour over the cake, letting the icing run down the sides. Decorate as desired.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6970476.1721410082!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
The CrowdStrike outage is affecting health-care services in Canada. Here's what you need to know
A global technology outage that's grounded flights and delayed border crossings is also challenging health-care services in the country, as issues with Microsoft services persist.
Quebec woman's death warns of dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad
Brian McConnell's daughter, Florence McConnell, died after a liposuction surgery complication in Morocco. Now, he warns others against undergoing cosmetic surgeries abroad.
Interior residents get ready to flee as B.C. fire tally soars past 300
The out-of-control Shetland Creek fire in British Columbia's southern Interior has more than doubled in size due to what the wildfire service describes as "significant overnight growth" and more accurate mapping.
Polar bear 'Baffin' dies at Calgary Zoo after not resurfacing from pool
A polar bear died in its enclosure at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on Friday.
'I feel cheated': Here are the products hit hardest by shrinkflation
Canadians who feel like they are getting less bang for their buck at the grocery store these days might be right. A new report shows the effects of shrinkflation are real.
Tentative deal to end LCBO strike on hold as province accuses union of introducing new demands
The LCBO strike appears to be back on just hours after a tentative agreement was announced.
Woman guilty of murdering, dismembering boyfriend in Nanaimo, B.C.
A 28-year-old British Columbia woman has been found guilty of killing and dismembering her boyfriend on Vancouver Island nearly four years ago.
opinion Trump's assassination attempt not a political winner
Danger and fear are so pervasive throughout the national political ethos it is now the norm, writes Washington political columnist Eric Ham.
What a Donald Trump presidency means for Canada
The most striking thing about walking the floor of the Republican National Convention (RNC) is seeing just how much this is Donald Trump's party, CTV News' Vassy Kapelos says.