Description
Sweet Sicilian whole orange cake brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dessert table. Moist, aromatic layers infused with zesty orange flavor promise a delightful escape to Italy’s culinary landscape, inviting you to savor each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Whole Oranges:
- 1 large organic orange
Main Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cup (275g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder (or 1 packet Italian Pane Degli Angeli vanilla baking powder)
Main Wet Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/8 cup (250g) sugar
- ⅓ cup (100g) butter, softened
- ⅓ cup (100g) plain Greek yogurt
Glaze:
- Juice of 1 organic orange
- ⅓ cup (100g) sugar
Optional Addition:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (if using plain baking powder)
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack in the center position and warm to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even temperature throughout.
- Prepare an 8-inch springform pan by coating thoroughly with oil or butter, then carefully line with parchment paper, focusing on smooth coverage.
- Combine sugar and eggs in a spacious mixing bowl, using an electric mixer to whip until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous, creating a light, airy texture.
- Gently sift flour and baking powder together, gradually incorporating into the egg mixture while simultaneously folding in softened butter, maintaining a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Blend yogurt into the batter, stirring until completely integrated and creating a uniform mixture.
- Transform the whole orange into a near-liquid state using a food processor, breaking down the fruit entirely.
- Incorporate the orange puree into the cake batter, mixing thoroughly to distribute the citrus essence evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared springform pan, spreading it carefully to ensure an even surface.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, periodically checking doneness with a cake tester inserted near the center.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cake to rest for approximately 15 minutes, then carefully release the springform pan’s sides.
- For the glaze, combine orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan, simmering until the liquid transforms into a thick, glossy syrup.
- Delicately spoon and brush the warm glaze over the cake’s surface, allowing it to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Whole Orange Magic transforms the entire citrus fruit into a moist, aromatic cake without wasting any part of the fruit.
- Precise Baking requires testing doneness with a cake tester to avoid underbaking, ensuring a perfect texture every time.
- Versatile Mixing technique uses a food processor to break down the whole orange, creating intense citrus flavor throughout the cake.
- Glazing Technique involves creating a syrupy orange reduction that adds extra moisture and intensifies the cake’s natural citrusy sweetness.
- Room Temperature Ingredients help achieve a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that results in a lighter, more tender cake crumb.
- Make-Ahead Friendly dessert can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days, wrapped tightly to maintain its incredible moisture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 366
- Sugar: 49 g
- Sodium: 36 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg