Baking in my Oven - Orange Cake

Baking is one of the oldest cooking methods. Generally we use to buy Bakery products such as Breads,Cakes,Cookies,Bun,Pastries etc.... I got a chance for using the conventional Oven when I came to USA. So thought of giving a try in baking field. After browsing so many baking techniques, recipes, I started trying stuffs in my Kitchen. Really its a great experience for me. We used to buy cakes from bakery, now I become a home baker and baking my home needs to a little extent.

The main things in baking are Measurements and time. If we follow these correctly, we will get nice output.

I gave a try to Orange cake twice and it really came out well. Let me share my experience of baking this cake.

Ingredients : 

1. All Purpose Flour/Maida     - 1 1/2 Cups.
2. Butter                                   - 1/2 Lbs or 1/2 Cup.
3. Egg                                       - 2 Nos.
4. Granulated Sugar                 - 1+1/4 Cups.
5. Buttermilk/Moree                -  2 1/2 Tbsp.
6. Orange Zest                          - From 2 oranges.
7. Orange Juice                         - 1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp.
8. Vannila essence/extract        - 1 Tsp.
9. Baking Powder                     - 1/4 Tsp.
10. Baking Soda                         - 1/4 Tsp.
11. Salt                                       - 1/2 Tsp.
12. Walnuts chopped(Optional)  -1/4 Cup.

Orange Zest :

The colored portion of the skin is called Zest. It can be taken from any citrus fruits such as Lemon,Lime or Orange. The outermost skin is called Zest (not the inner white part). We can collect this Zest using a grater or peeler. Just grate the outer skin of the orange using a grater and keep it aside. This will be added in cake for flavor.

Steps : 

Preheat the oven to 350 deg F

1. Take a mixing bowl, add butter and sugar and cream it using a mixer (hand mixer/electric mixer).

2.Add Eggs and Orange zest together to the above, and beat till it mixes well. Keep the batter aside.

3. In another bowl,Sieve the flour and add Baking powder,Baking salt and Salt .

4. In a small bowl add all wet ingredients, Buttermilk, 2 Tbsp of Orange juice and Vanilla essence.

5. Add Flour mixtures and wet ingredients to the batter alternatively

,beginning and ending with the flour. Add walnuts and gently give a mix.

6. Grease a baking tray with butter or spray some cooking spray.

7. Tranfer the cake mixture to the Tray.

8. Bake for 45 min to 1 hour or Bake till a tooth pick inserted came out clean.

9. In the meantime prepare the Orange syrup as shown below.

10. After removing from the Oven, Let it cool for 5 min.

11.Transfer the cake from the tray to the Cooling Rack.

12. Cooling Rack will cool the cake evenly.

13. After 10 min, pour the Orange syrup on the cake and allow it to cool completely.

14. Make desired pieces  and enjoy your cake.

How to make Orange Syrup : 

Orange juice - 1/4 cup.

Sugar            - 1/4 cup.

    

1. Add Remaining Orange juice and sugar to sauce pan .

2. Cook in low heat, until Sugar dissolves.

Notes : 

Raw Cane Sugar can also be used instead of Granulated Sugar.

Happy Baking....

Reference : FoodNetwork.com

Comments are welcome....