Vitamin Sí

We have an orange tree outside our house which is my sole reason for trying to make an orange cake. Citrus is generally not my thing, as a lot of my friends know, because anything with a really low pH is just questionable in general!

Orange Swag Tree

As for my science side, I realized that amounts of orange juice, baking powder, and baking soda have to be in the correct proportions otherwise the cake tastes too acidic (sour) or too basic (bitter), so I decided to experiment with everything else. Here's my version of orange cake with chocolate ganache (Ganache because your cake needs a buddy!) Enjoy!

Orange Cake

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs, separated
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar 
grated zest of one orange
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Sift dry ingredients. 

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer beat butter and sugar until well combined.

3. Add in eggs one at a time, beat well after each addition. 

4. Add dry to wet ingredients in small portions. Beat after each addition.

5. Add orange zest.

6. Pour into into an 8" round pan and bake at 350degrees for 40 minutes or until done. 

Chocolate Ganache

(From Martha Stewart)

1/2 cup heavy cream

3.5 oz semisweet chocolate chips

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1. Bring cream to boil in a saucepan

2. Pour cream over chocolate in a heatproof bowl. 

3. Add butter and whisk to consistency.

4. Use IMMEDIATELY.

This contraption is really cool because it prevents the chocolate from accumulating on the bottom. Place a plastic container on top of a plate and place the cake on top. Remember to pour the chocolate ganache quickly so there are no lumps or air-bubbles!

The cake turned out a little dense, so adding more liquid ingredients could lighten it up!... but other than that, orange you glad it wasn't a banana cake!