Italian Orange And Almond Cake
A Taste of Italy in Every Bite
Indulge in the delightful flavours of Italy with this exquisite Italian Orange and Almond Cake. Bursting with zesty orange and rich almond goodness, this cake is perfect for any occasion. Made with Nonno Rino Olive Oil, this cake is not only delicious but also embodies authentic Italian culinary tradition. The combination of fresh orange zest, almond extract, and ground almonds creates a moist and flavoruful cake that will impress your family and friends. Serve it with whipped cream or citrus-flavoured crème fraîche for an extra touch of elegance.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs, separated
- 150 g castor sugar
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 60 ml orange juice
- 120 ml Nonno Rino Olive Oil
- 2.5 ml almond extract
- 2.5 ml salt
- 250 g confectionary almonds, ground in a food processor or store-bought almond flour
- 5 ml baking powder
- 30 g flaked almonds
- Icing sugar for sifting
Method
- Prepare the Cake Tin: Grease and line a 22 cm loose-bottomed cake tin with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 170°C.
- Mix Egg Yolks and Sugar: Beat the egg yolks and 100 g of the castor sugar until light and foamy. Add the orange zest, olive oil, orange juice, and almond extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the ground almonds, salt, and baking powder well.
- Create the Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the egg yolk mixture and mix gently to form the batter.
- Beat Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks, then add the remaining 50 g of castor sugar and beat well.
- Fold and Pour: Fold the beaten egg whites into the batter gently, then pour the batter into the prepared cake tin.
- Bake the Cake: Sprinkle the flaked almonds over the top and bake for about 35 minutes until cooked and golden brown. If the almonds darken too much, cover the cake loosely with foil (shiny side facing up).
- Cool and Decorate: Cool the cake, remove it from the tin, and dust with icing sugar.
- Serve: Serve with whipped cream or citrus-flavoured crème fraîche. Sprinkle over parmesan shavings for an added touch.
Enjoy a slice of this delectable Italian Orange and Almond Cake, and let the vibrant flavours transport you to the sunny landscapes of Italy.
Recipe by Christine Cappendale