Orange Cake

May 1st - Labour Day - was rainy and chilly in Geneva. Early that morning, we bumped into schoolgirls selling “muguets”, which is the flower symbol of that day. Sweetheart bought a sprig of lily-of-the-valley for me.

Later on, when I returned home, I thought we should celebrate Labour Day. As any celebration requires a cake and flowers (at least for me), I prepared this cake, which is moist, fluffy, delicious and so easy to make. If you like the taste of orange, I strongly recommend this cake.

The one I made was small but I give you the “normal size” recipe for about 10 people.

Ingredients

240 g butter, softened

240 g sugar

2 tbsp sugar

4 eggs

240 g flour

2 tsp baking powder

The juice and the zest of 4 very juicy oranges (I used organic oranges, each weighing 200g)

A little bit of grated coconut (optional)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Prepare the zest of the 4 oranges and their juice.

In a large bowl, work the butter into a cream.

Add the sugar gradually, whisking, then incorporate the eggs, one at a time, without ceasing to stir.

Add the flour and baking powder, then the orange zest and half the juice.

Butter a mould and pour in the mixture.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare a syrup with the remaining orange juice and the 2 tbsp of sugar.

Bring to the boil for 6 minutes.

Unmould the cake and leave to cool slightly.

Sprinkle it with the orange juice syrup you have prepared.

Sprinkle with coconut (optional).

Note: The cake must be well impregnated with syrup, to have a pronounced taste of orange.