Orange Almond Cake Recipe

Those of you who follow the blog will realize that more and more I like to use seasonal fruits in desserts because you get a better aroma and flavor, in this case this Almond and Orange Cake has an intense flavor due to the combination of juice and zest of Orange. If you like homemade desserts with nutritious and healthy ingredients, try this almond and orange cake.

The almond and orange cake is a sweet of Lebanese origin. Its texture and flavor, of great delicacy, delight all diners, and even those for whom the sweet is not particularly attractive. This dessert draws attention for its main ingredients (almond and orange), since it is a not so usual combination, although in the Middle East they usually mix them.

Both the orange and the almond have their origin in Asia Minor, despite the fact that many point to southern China as the birthplace of the orange. It is known to all that the Arabs spread citrus fruits and dried fruits, such as almonds and walnuts, through Spain, but before to Greece and from there to Italy and the rest of Europe. Both, the orange and the almond, are protagonists alone in various preparations of Arab cuisine .

There really is no better way to describe this cake. Zesty orange intensifies the flavour in this stunning dessert or teatime treat. Unusual in its method, seductive in its texture and flavour, the orange flavour is so intense and for those of you who love citrus, you’ll be reaching for a second slice. It’s dense, moist and really is a special treat. Serve it with a dollop of basil cream for a tasty dessert.

I have wanted to show you this Orange almond cake recipe for a long time, and I have to confess that when I discovered it, at first it caught my attention, but when I finally made it and tried it I loved it, I loved its flavor, that combination of Absolutely delicious oranges and almonds, and I loved that tender and juicy texture that it has.

You will also see that this cake is not complicated to make and is perfect to serve as a dessert after a meal, a dinner, or to have breakfast or a snack with friends accompanied by a coffee or tea. If you have not tried it yet I recommend it because it is a real delight. Citrus lovers will appreciate it. Served with a little cream, it is a wonderful dessert.

This Orange almond cake recipe is typical of Israel and Lebanon, where magnificent oranges grow. In Europe, this cake was popularized by Claudia Roden, a great passionate about Middle Eastern cuisine. We will need two oranges of medium size and with the skin, if possible, thin.

As I mentioned above, to make this cake the oranges have to be cooked. You can cook them for 2 hours in a pot or, if you don't have time, in a microwave for 7 minutes at maximum power. To prevent them from exploding in the microwave, pre-pierce them with a fork in several places. After 3 minutes give them a spin.

If you cook them in the microwave, do not throw the juice they release. Put it in the glass of crusher together with the oranges and crush them until obtaining a homogeneous puree. If you cook them in a pot, before grinding them drain the excess liquid they release (when cooked in a pot they suck a lot of water).

Due to its juiciness, and that it is made with almond flour, this cake does not grow when it is baked (but that does not prevent it from being delicious). Some recipes for this Orange Almond cake use 1 teaspoon of baking powder. I have tried preparing it with and without powders: the result is the same.



Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 350 kcal

Ingredients:

2 oranges
6 eggs
250 gm sugar
250 gm flaked almonds
1 tsp baking powder

Recipe Method:

Wash oranges and place unpeeled, in a pot of boiling water for 2 hours. Drain the water and allow the oranges to cool.

Preheat oven to 180 ° C. Break 6 eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk until they form stiff peaks. Gradually whisk in sugar and blend together. Place the two oranges into the egg mix. Chop the oranges, discarding any pips and blend together to a smooth consistency. Add the almond and baking powder and blend.

Grease baking pan with butter and dust with sugar. Transfer the mixture into the pan and sprinkle little sugar on top and bake for 1 hour until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Leave the cake to cool and transfer to a serving plate. Dust with icing sugar to serve.