Winter Cake with Oranges

Winter Orange Cake - A Holiday Delight

If you're looking for a cake that brings a touch of magic to your holiday celebrations, then the Winter Orange Cake is the perfect choice. This recipe is not just a simple combination of flavors, but a true explosion of tastes and textures that will leave everyone speechless. With a crispy meringue base, soft orange layers, decadent chocolate mousse, and a smooth orange cream, this cake is sure to become the star of your festive table.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Meringue Base:
- 3 egg whites
- 150 g powdered sugar
- a few drops of lemon juice
- raisins (about 50 g)
- chopped walnuts (about 50 g)

For the Orange Layers (2 pieces):
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 70 g sugar
- 50 ml fresh orange juice
- 50 ml oil
- 75-80 g flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder

For the Chocolate Mousse:
- 300 ml heavy cream
- 250 g milk chocolate
- 2 sheets of gelatin

For the Orange Cream:
- 250 ml heavy cream
- 40 g powdered sugar
- 250 g mascarpone
- 30 g granulated sugar
- 50 ml fresh orange juice
- 20 ml fresh lemon juice
- 4 sheets of gelatin
- zest and pulp from 2 large oranges

Step by Step: Preparing the Winter Orange Cake

1. Preparing the Meringue Base
Start by preheating the oven to 100°C. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until frothy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and a few drops of lemon juice, continuing to mix until the meringue becomes glossy and forms stiff peaks. This step is essential for achieving a meringue that can be easily sliced later.

Line a 26 cm cake pan with parchment paper. Pour the meringue into the pan, smoothing it out with a spatula. Sprinkle the raisins and chopped walnuts on top. Bake the meringue for 2 hours with the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. A good idea is to prepare the meringue a day in advance for perfect drying.

2. Preparing the Orange Layers
In another bowl, mix the egg with the egg white until it doubles in volume. Add the sugar and mix until you have a fluffy cream. Gently incorporate the orange juice and oil. Finally, add the flour mixed with the baking powder and stir until combined.

Divide the batter in half and bake two thin layers in the same 26 cm pan lined with parchment paper at 180°C for 8-10 minutes. Remove the layers from the pan and peel off the paper, allowing them to cool.

3. Preparing the Chocolate Mousse
In a saucepan, melt the chopped chocolate with half of the heavy cream over low heat, stirring continuously until fully melted. Avoid bringing it to a boil. Meanwhile, hydrate the gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes, drain it, and add it to the warm chocolate, stirring well. Allow the mixture to cool.

In a separate bowl, whip the remaining heavy cream until firm, then gently fold in the cooled chocolate until you achieve a smooth mousse.

4. Preparing the Orange Cream
Whip the heavy cream together with the powdered sugar until firm. In another bowl, mix the mascarpone with the granulated sugar until dissolved. Gently fold in the whipped cream. Then, add the lemon zest and the orange pulp cut into small cubes.

Dissolve the gelatin in the citrus juice over low heat, let it cool slightly, then incorporate it into the orange cream.

5. Assembling the Cake
On a serving platter, place one orange layer, then fit a cake ring around it. Add the chocolate mousse and level it out. Cover with the second orange layer and refrigerate for a few hours.

Once the cake has chilled, frost it with the orange cream, including the sides. Leave it in the refrigerator for another 2 hours.

6. Finishing the Cake
After chilling, place the meringue layer on top of the cake. Decorate the edges with whipped cream and dust with sugar. This is your moment to let your creativity shine! You can add orange slices or grated chocolate on top for an even more appealing look.

Serving Suggestions
The Winter Orange Cake is perfect served alongside a warm beverage. A fragrant coffee or citrus tea would wonderfully complement the dessert. Additionally, a glass of white wine or prosecco would add a festive touch.

Tips and Useful Advice
- Gelatin: Ensure that the gelatin is well-hydrated and dissolved; otherwise, it will form lumps in the cream.
- Meringue: It's crucial to use a completely clean bowl to beat the egg whites. Any trace of fat will prevent the egg whites from whipping up.
- Cream: Use cream with at least 35% fat content for the best results.
- Vegan Version: You can replace the eggs with a plant-based alternative and the cream with a vegan version.

Nutritional Benefits
The Winter Orange Cake is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins thanks to the oranges. They are rich in vitamin C, helping to support the immune system. The nuts in the meringue add a healthy source of fats, while the milk chocolate provides antioxidants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use other types of chocolate?
Yes, you can experiment with dark or white chocolate, depending on your preferences.

2. How can I store the cake?
The cake can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for 3-4 days.

3. Is this cake suitable for vegans?
No, this recipe contains animal products, but you can adapt the ingredients to create a vegan version.

Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, the Winter Orange Cake will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Try it and let yourself be carried away by its delicious flavors!