Orange Cake
Description
This classic Orange Cake is a timeless dessert that balances bright citrus notes with deep, chewy sweetness from pitted dates. The batter is enriched with shortening and eggs to create a tender, moist crumb that holds up beautifully to the added fruit. Baked in a loaf pan, it offers a homey, comforting texture perfect for afternoon tea or as a simple end to a family dinner. The final toucha warm orange juice and sugar syrup poured over the hot cakesoaks into the crust, adding a glossy finish and an extra layer of aromatic flavor. Its an easy bake using pantry staples, resulting in a satisfying treat that feels both nostalgic and fresh.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan thoroughly.
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Juice the orange. Reserve the juice for the glaze and zest the orange before juicing.
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In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup sugar and the reserved orange juice. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream the remaining 1 cup of sugar with the shortening until light and fluffy.
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Add the beaten eggs to the sugar and shortening mixture, beating well until combined.
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In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Finely chop the pitted dates and mix them with the orange zest.
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Alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just blended.
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Fold in the chopped dates and orange zest mixture until evenly distributed.
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Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
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Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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While the cake is baking, reheat the orange juice and sugar mixture if it has cooled.
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Remove the cake from the oven. Immediately pour the hot orange juice syrup over the top of the cake.
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Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 737.0kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 30.3g47%
- Saturated Fat 10.3g52%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 2438.8mg102%
- Total Carbohydrate 123.9g42%
- Dietary Fiber 4.8g20%
- Sugars 117.5g
- Protein 1.4g3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The syrup helps keep it moist.
Substitutions: If sour milk is unavailable, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk and let it stand for 5 minutes. Raisins can be used instead of dates, though dates provide a richer flavor.
Tip: For a stronger orange flavor, use orange extract or increase the amount of zest. Ensure the shortening is softened at room temperature for proper creaming.