Description
Mediterranean sunshine radiates through this Orange and Almond Cake, blending citrus zest with nutty richness. Rich, moist layers promise a delightful escape that will transport you to coastal Mediterranean kitchens with each memorable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 large navel oranges
- 5 eggs
- 2.5 cups (250 grams) ground almonds
Primary Sweeteners:
- 1.14 cups (250 grams) caster sugar
Leavening and Finishing:
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- Icing sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Submerge whole oranges in water and simmer gently for approximately 60 minutes until soft and pliable, then allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Slice cooled oranges into quarters, meticulously remove any seeds, and transform into a silky, uniform puree using a food processor.
- Whisk eggs and sugar vigorously until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume, then gently incorporate the citrusy orange puree.
- Delicately fold ground almonds and baking powder into the wet mixture, ensuring minimal deflation of the aerated batter.
- Transfer the velvety mixture into a parchment-lined cake tin, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for precisely 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted emerges clean and the top turns golden brown.
- Allow cake to rest in the tin for 20 minutes, enabling it to set and cool slightly.
- Carefully invert onto a wire rack, permitting complete cooling to room temperature.
- Before serving, dust the cake’s surface with a delicate layer of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Boiling oranges softens them completely, making the cake super moist and intensifying the citrus flavor without any bitterness.
- For gluten-free diets, ensure the baking powder is certified gluten-free, creating a perfect alternative for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Use a food processor to blend oranges smoothly, preventing any chunky textures and ensuring a consistent, silky cake consistency.
- Consider toasting ground almonds beforehand to enhance their nutty depth, adding an extra layer of rich, aromatic complexity to the cake.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (baking)
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg