Valeria's Orange Cake

Valeria's Orange Cake - a quick and delicious dessert

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Discover the intense flavor and refreshing aroma of Valeria's orange cake, a simple recipe that will bring a smile to anyone's face. This moist and fragrant cake is perfect to be served with a morning coffee or as a dessert at a festive meal. Here’s how you can prepare it step by step!

Ingredients:
- 1 large orange (about 200 g)
- 3 egg yolks
- 200 g sugar
- 100 ml sunflower oil or light olive oil
- 200 g flour
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 packet of baking powder (10 g)
- 3 egg whites
- 50 g nuts or almonds, optional

Step 1: Preparing the orange
Start by washing the orange well, then cut it into pieces, keeping the peel, as its aroma will add a special taste to the cake. Put the orange pieces in a blender and blend until you get a fine paste. This step is crucial as it will incorporate the juice and essential oils from the peel, giving a vibrant flavor to the dessert.

Step 2: Mixing the ingredients
In a large bowl, add the egg yolks and sugar. Use a mixer or whisk to beat the ingredients until you get a creamy and light-colored mixture. Now, add the orange paste and oil, continuing to mix until everything is well incorporated. It is important to use quality oil, as it will influence the texture and final flavor of the cake.

Step 3: The dry ingredients
In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the orange mixture, stirring with a spatula to avoid lumps. If you choose to add nuts or almonds, now is the time to integrate them into the batter.

Step 4: Beating the egg whites
Separately, beat the egg whites until you get a firm foam. A trick for achieving perfect egg whites is to ensure that the bowl and utensils are completely clean, with no trace of fat. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the orange batter using a spatula, mixing from top to bottom to maintain the airiness.

Step 5: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a loaf pan with butter or oil and sprinkle a little flour to prevent sticking. Pour the batter into the pan and level the surface. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. It’s good to check from time to time, as each oven bakes differently.

Step 6: Cooling and serving
After the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top for an elegant look. This Valeria's orange cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of fragrant tea.

Variation suggestions:
For a more exotic touch, you can add a few drops of vanilla essence or a little rum to the batter. Also, by replacing part of the flour with cocoa, you can create an orange cake with a chocolate flavor.

This Valeria's orange cake recipe is not only simple but also a perfect choice for any occasion. Enjoy every slice and savor the fresh aroma of oranges!