This delightful treat came about because I’d had some leftover sumo oranges that no one wanted to eat and I didn’t want to waste them. The leftover sumo oranges were halved and placed in a sauce pot filled with filtered water. Once the oranges and water boiled and most of the liquid absorbed, the mixture was removed from the stove and left to cool completely. Next, the entire mixture was blended into a smooth puree, yes even the rinds. The paste was then cooked down and sugar and honey was added to cut down the bitterness. Once cooled, paste was placed in storage containers and refrigerated.
Now I will admit this does sound like a lengthy process just to be used up in a yummy cake, even though it’s worth it. If time is an issue, puréed orange marmalade may be substituted. The flavor may not be as dense, which is okay as well.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp mace spice
- 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cup cane sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup pureed orange paste
- 1 cup whole milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 TBSP lemon extract
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and mace. Whisk dry ingredients to incorporate air and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add softened butter and cane sugar and whisk until light and fluffy and pale in color. Add eggs, one at a time and whisk after each addition. Next, add orange puree and whisk again until well incorporated. Working in thirds, add 1/3 flour mixture and whisk until flour is just incorporated and then add 1/3 milk and whisk until flour and milk are mixed well. Continue to add flour mixture and milk until done. Last add lemon extract and stir.
Grease a large bundt pan or 2 loaves pans. Add cake mixture to pan and tap pan 3 to 4 times on counter to even mixture throughout the pan or pans. Place cake into a cold oven and bake on 325 degrees until golden brown around edges and top. Make sure when toothpick is inserted into middle that cake comes out clean.
Let cool complete as this is a soft cake and remove from pan once cooling is complete. Serve, eat and enjoy!
Aly in the Kitchen 