Nothing makes me happier than a cake. Layered, sponge, angel…I love them all. My favorite, however, is a classic bundt. They are usually simple to make, satisfyingly moist and require no adornment (well, maybe with a dollop of whipped cream ). I relish the time to find antique bundt pans in all different shapes and sizes, my favorite is a find from a small antique store in Vancouver, Washington. I can only imagine the stories it could tell-perhaps brought in a covered wagon with a family making its way out West.
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I relish the time to find antique bundt pans in all different shapes and sizes
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This is loosely adapted from Rose Levy Beranbaum’s “The Cake Bible.” All ingredients should be at room temperature.
INGREDIENTS:
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3 large eggs
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1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
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3 T Milk
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Juice from one satsuma orange
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1 1/2 C sifted cake flour
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3/4 C sugar
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3/4 teaspoons baking powder
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1/4 teaspoons salt
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1Tablespoon loosely packed Satsuma (or any) Orange rind
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3 Tablespoons poppy seeds
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13 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
SYRUP:
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1/4 C sugar
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1/4 C fresh Satsuma juice (or any orange)
OVEN DRIED ORANGES:
Set oven to 250 degrees.
Slice any kind of orange thinly. Lay on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Set in oven to bake 2-3 hours until dried.
Orange slices keep several days in an airtight container.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and orange juice.
in a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients, including the zest and poppy seeds.
Mix on low speed to combine for 30 seconds.
Add the butter and half the egg mixture. Mix on low until the dry ingredients are combined. Increase to medium and mix for 1 minute.
Scrape batter down and add the rest of the egg mixture in 2 batches, beating 20 seconds each time.
Scrape the batter into a greased and floured loaf or bundt pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake approximately 50-60 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. If using a loaf pan and the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with buttered foil.
During baking make the syrup. Combine in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
When the cake comes out of the oven, brush the top with the syrup. let cool. Invert and brush the sides and other end with the syrup.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.