Musical pairing – Not Over You by Gavin DeGraw
We’re ten days into a brand new year and this is my official first post since being hit with a very nasty kidney infection complete with kidney stone(s) that began December 18, 2011 at a wedding shoot in Kentucky . . . and found me running a fever for four days, multiple naps every 30 minutes or so and moving our family Christmas Eve party from our house to my in-laws at the last minute. By the time I saw a doctor on December 24th, the word ‘hospital’ was mentioned a few times, cultures were ordered and they finally agreed to send me home with a 10-day supply of antibiotics . . . and a nifty little cup with a built-in ‘filter’ . . . and they nixed any and all alcohol consumption . . . well Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year to you too, Mrs. Smith . . . moving on . . .
If you’ve followed any of my baking antics in 2011, you’ll remember that I seem to have issues with layer cakes and I’m not quite sure why because I’ve made plenty of them in my lifetime . . . but they were usually the boxed cakes of my youth and now I’m trying my hand at scratch cakes, cooked frosting and filled layers which honestly, shouldn’t be that difficult, right?
And I admit to a chuckle or two when I receive private email messages saying ‘how brave’ I am for actually posting my failures . . . ahem, sorry . . . ‘challenges’ here (Professor, I know you’re reading) . . . why wouldn’t I post my ‘challenges’? I rather enjoy poking fun at myself . . . especially when I’m so smug about something that should be as simple as baking a cake and then things don’t turn out quite as planned . . . and the truth of the matter is that we all have ‘challenges’ in the kitchen . . . don’t we??? Wait. If the answer isn’t a resounding ‘Yes!’ then I really don’t want to know . . . no, I’m certain I don’t want to know . . . I wonder if Deb had many cake failures . . . she’s legendary for her cakes . . . Okay I lie. I kinda want to know . . .
I am very happy to report that I’ve made this wonderful Orange Cake twice now and both times were quite successful as was evident by an empty platter and a few pitiful crumbs; the most recent cake was baked for a New Year’s Eve party with our Cincinnati family. The theme was small plates and Spanish but we decided Portugal was close enough and dessert was this Orange Cake. As you can see from the photos, this is a dense Bundt cake and is really perfect for this type of setting because it requires you bake it at least one day ahead to let the flavors develop and meld together; if you can swing baking it two days before you plan to serve it, even better!
The recipe comes from the uber suave and debonair David Leite; we had the pleasure of being seatmates on a plane ride from San Francisco to Indianapolis a couple of years ago and The Professor and I been fans ever since. And don’t miss David’s podcasts – those are real gems!
ORANGE CAKE
David Leite, The New Portuguese Table
Serves 10-12
SMITH BITES NOTES: David recommends baking this cake in a light-colored Bundt pan which ensures a beautiful light-brown color and more importantly, won’t stick to the pan. Liberally spraying the pan with a non-stick cooking spray with flour is an absolute must!
Also, when I tasted my fresh-squeezed orange juice, I found the flavor somewhat lacking (not the best oranges at my local grocers) so I mixed equal parts bottled pure Valencia orange juice (not-from-concentrate) to get me the 1-1/2 cups I needed and the deep orange flavor I wanted; just make sure you zest your oranges before you squeeze them.
And finally, this cake needs at least a day to set for the flavors to develop and meld so it’s perfect for entertaining when you want as much done ahead as possible . . . and if by chance there’s cake left over . . . it makes for a lovely breakfast with a cup of coffee . . .
INGREDIENTS:
- Nonstick baking spray with flour (see note above)
- 4 to 5 large navel oranges (see note above)
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 5 large eggs
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups mild extra-virgin olive oil
- Confectioners’ sugar, for sprinkling
METHOD:
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven, remove any racks above, and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally spray a 12-cup Bundt or tube pan with non-stick baking spray with flour and set aside
- Finely grate the zest of 3 of the oranges, then squeeze 4; you want 1-1/2 cups of orange juice total and if 4 isn’t enough, go ahead and squeeze the 5th orange; set aside
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt on a large sheet of parchment** and set aside
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (a handheld mixer works too) beat the eggs on medium-high speed until well combined – about 1 minute or so. Slowly pour in the granulated sugar and continue beating until thick and pale yellow, 3-4 minutes. On low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and oil, starting and ending with the flour, and beat until just a few wisps of flour remain. Pour in the orange juice and zest and mix for about 30 seconds or so to bring the batter together
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a tester comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, about 1 1/4 hours (mine took closer to an hour and 35 minutes). If the top is browning too much as the cake bakes, cover lightly with foil (I did). Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes
- Turn the cake out onto the rack and cool completely; place in a covered cake stand and let it sit overnight
- Dust with powdered sugar right before serving
**I find sifting my dry ingredients onto a sheet of parchment makes it easier to get the dry ingredients into my stand mixer; I create a cone of sorts to gently add the dry ingredients to the wet. But if a bowl works for you, then by all means use a bowl . . . I usually end up with more flour outside of the mixing bowl than inside!
As soon as you posted this cake, I knew I wanted to make it. I had the perfect opportunity as I was tasked with bringing dessert to a dinner party last night.
Cara Cara oranges were on sale at the local grocer store, so I went with those and added 1/4 cup Amaretto. The result was fabulous! This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Thanks for sharing.
This style of Orange Cake remionds me of one I ate in Norway. It’s interesting to learn of it’s connection to Portugal too. GREG
I’m wondering if it’s possible to make this cake with tangerines instead… because that’s what we have lots of and they’re uber sweet. Oh, and we also have a bunch of eggs we need to use up. How neat that you shared a plane ride with Davie Leite!!!!!
[K]
I love this cake – especially when it is so cold out… this citrus creation seems like just the cure.
Glad you are feeling better…sounds like you had a doozy of a time, my friend!
Miss you. Happy new year!!
I love this cake! It’s simple and I know it was must be very moist. Perfect to enjoy with a hot caffe’ latte. Your table setting is beautiful. So happy you’re feeling better and I send you healing thoughts. xo
This cake is gorgeous, the recipe is divine and the photos are superb.
How does anyone learn if they don’t make mistakes, right?
I once subbed in a pound of rice instead of a cup of rice. Talk about al dente!!!!!!!!!
CRRRRUNCH!
I also think it is so important to talk about our successes and our “need improvement” recipes. This one? Well, it looks like a shining success. I’m also glad to hear that you are recovering…those kidney infections can be so painful and scary. Continued thoughts of healing are being sent your way!
Glad to see you up and at ’em again…and still having some giggles to share. Bundt cakes are one of my favorites…especially for cocktail parties when there is grazing going on…or when the girls come over for coffee and tea.
I am so happy to see you return to your old self! Are you finally done with kidney stones, too? I shudder when I imagine how painful they must have been…
I have to admit that I don’t own a bundt cake pan, but I hope to change that soon:) Your photos are amazing! I love the table setting (the lighting is wonderful).
Cheers to another fabulous year (providing you can imbibe – if not, oj would do:)
I love a good bundt cake. Citrus is also a favorite! Yum! Glad you are feeling better my friend! xoxo
What a fabulous cake, D! I am so sorry you’ve had a rough month. That doesn’t sound like fun!
Wishing you a healthy new year!
hope you’re better now. i love that i have a song to look forward to everytime i visit your blog 🙂 the citrus cake is beautiful…
So glad to hear that you’re feeling better now, Debra! Kidney infections can be the worst! And during Christmas, too! Ow!
I’m in the same boat as you with layer cakes. It really seems to be hit and miss for me. Sometimes they turn out beautifully, others are complete messes. I made what I thought was going to be a gorgeous 3-layer Lane Cake for Christmas and it was a total disaster. The layers were just too tall and the filling never would set up. Yes, bundt and tube pans are definitely my friends 🙂
I am not a nite owl, but I am super glad I happen to have seen your tweet just now. Glad to hear you are feeling better & this orange cake looks amazing!
I’m so glad you’re starting to feel better!! Kidney stones hurt like crazy – – you’re a trooper 😉
And this cake, well – it’s simply gorgeous. I love it.
This looks like the perfect cake for winter’s night. And anything with David’s name attached to it is a no-brainer.
And yes, we all have baking failures. I just don’t want to talk about them. ; )
(Glad you’re feeling better!)
Deb has many cake failures. On Christmas Eve, I nearly had to buy Entenmann’s for dessert because I accidentally swapped the baking powder and baking soda levels in the gingerbread I made, which nearly blew up in the oven. (Martha Stewart’s Gingerbread Snacking Cake saved the day.)
We should have a Layer Cake Session one day. I’d be happy to help if I can! But you should totally not let me measure the leaveners.
I have to say I’m a sucker for the bundt cake. Something about the simplicity of the pan really speaks to me. Kidney stones on the other hand, not so much. Happy to see you back on the web and hope you’re feeling better!
This bundt cake both sounds and looks perfect! I haven’t had much luck with bundt cakes in the past but may have to give it another go so I can try this one. 🙂
I love David’s orange cake! It has become a Christmas tradition at our house. Your photos are great! Thanks for the tip about David’s podcasts; I’ll have to check them out.