Finding yourself at a loose end in the strange lull between Christmas and New Year? Legendary baker Mary Berry has the perfect solution with her much-loved spiced orange cake, a zesty treat that bakes in just 25 minutes.
Mary Berry's Festive Baking Secret
This celebrated recipe, which serves eight people perfectly, is an ideal centrepiece for any post-festive gathering. The Express reports that its warming, citrus flavour has made it a firm favourite among fans. The unique method involves using a whole small, thin-skinned orange, skin and all, for a wonderfully fresh and moist result.
Ingredients and Simple Method
For the cake itself, you will need: 275g of self-raising flour, 275g of caster sugar, 225g of softened butter, four eggs, three level teaspoons of baking powder, along with a teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and mixed spice.
The zesty orange filling requires 50g of softened butter, 175g of sifted icing sugar, and two teaspoons of the reserved orange pulp from the cake mixture.
The process is straightforward. First, simmer the whole orange in water for about 20 minutes until tender. Once cooled, blend it to a pulp, setting aside two teaspoons for the icing. Combine this pulp with all the other cake ingredients to form a smooth batter.
Divide the mix between two 20cm tins and bake in a preheated oven at 180C (160C Fan) for 25 to 30 minutes. After cooling, sandwich the layers with the orange buttercream and finish with a dusting of icing sugar.
The Perfect Post-Christmas Treat
Mary Berry suggests using a paper doily or stencil to create a pretty pattern with the icing sugar on top. While best eaten fresh, the cake can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days. This recipe is a brilliant way to use up any leftover oranges and brings a burst of sunny, spiced flavour to the darker winter days.
