Orange Cake

This one is a sweetie...a wee orange cake I made for a special morning tea with some friends I used to work with, back in the distant past before I had the kids. Thanks Ruth, Nat (and Olly!) and Lisa. It was so wonderful to catch up!

The orange is not as strong as this one I made back in 2010, it was rather more subtle than that. Although that recipe was full on orange flavour, the warm day called for something less bitter, more sweet.

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com ages ago as a beat and bake orange cake and I used my small 11cm ring tin.

Recipe is as follows:

250g plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups white sugar
120ml milk
120ml orange juice
120ml oil (I used rice bran)
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

Preheat oven to 175deg C. Grease and line baking tin.
In a measuring cup combine milk, orange juice, oil, beaten eggs and zest. Stir and set aside.
Sift flour, salt and baking powder into mixing bowl. Mix in sugar. Make a well in the centre and pour in the liquid mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Bake in oven for 35 mins (although mine took about 50mins as I used the one tin, I didn't divide the mixture) or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool.

When cool combine: 85g softened butter, 2 cups icing sugar, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat together until light and fluffy. Ice and top with a wee bit of orange rind and some grated chocolate.
Serve and enjoy!