Orange Cinnamon Cake

This is a very versatile recipe. Serve it as it is for a tea party. Great for your kids’ lunchbox or a snack after a soccer game. Decorate with whipped cream, chocolate ganache or a cream cheese frosting for a special occasion celebration. Serve as a dessert with a chocolate rum sauce or a zesty lemon curd and a scoop of your favorite gelato. Lastly, customize the flavors to your family’s taste- omit the cinnamon and add walnuts, almond flakes, chocolate chips etc.

What you need:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

1 cup caster sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

Zest of one orange

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup fresh or tetra pack orange juice

Putting it all together:

1. Prepare your cake tin. Lightly brush with some melted butter, dust with some flour. Line with parchment paper (optional). Preheat your oven to 180 C.

2. In a bowl, combine with a whisk- all purpose flour, orange zest, cinnamon and baking powder.

3. In another bowl, beat sugar and oil till the mixture is light and well combined.

4. To this, add eggs one by one, beating slightly after each addition. Add vanilla extract.

5. Combine the dry ingredients with the liquid ingredients in three batches, alternating with the addition of orange juice. Mix gently using a whisk and spatula.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 40-50 mins at 180 C.

7. The cake will be a bit wet in the center when you do the knife test at the end of the baking.

8. Leave outside to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar and decorate with your choice of garnish. Alternately, drizzle with dark or white chocolate. You can also cover it with whipped cream or a cream cheese frosting.