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
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says without further details
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, Iranian state television reported, without immediately elaborating.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Robbers made off with 'several million euros' of jewels in armed heist at Harry Winston store in Paris
Armed robbers who used a motorbike as a battering ram made off with 'several million euros' worth of valuables in a heist of the luxury Paris boutique of self-declared 'Jeweler to the Stars' Harry Winston, the French prosecutor’s office overseeing the police probe said.
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
What we've learned so far in the Trump hush money trial and what to watch for as it wraps up
Testimony in the hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to conclude in the coming days, putting the landmark case on track for jury deliberations that will determine whether it ends in a mistrial, an acquittal — or the first-ever felony conviction of a former American president.
Woman killed in Montreal's Saint-Michel district: ex-husband arrested
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide.
Serious boat crash kills 3, injures 5 on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake: OPP
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.