Description
Indulgent orange drizzle traybake cake brings sunny Mediterranean vibes to classic British baking. Zesty citrus glaze and tender crumb promise a delightful slice that draws you into pure dessert bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
Citrus Flavoring:
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup milk (whole or semi-skimmed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Drizzle and Glaze:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Carefully line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage and a slight overhang for easy removal.
- Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy cloud with a creamy texture.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, thoroughly blending each addition to create a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
- Gently sift flour and baking powder over the wet ingredients, folding delicately to maintain the cake’s light consistency without overmixing.
- Infuse the batter with vibrant orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, smooth milk, and aromatic vanilla extract. Stir until ingredients are just harmoniously combined.
- Transfer the fragrant batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute evenly and create a level surface.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and testing doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge without any wet batter clinging to it.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before carefully lifting out using the parchment paper edges.
Notes
- Choose ripe, fragrant oranges for the most vibrant citrus flavor and maximum zest extraction.
- Softening butter at room temperature ensures smoother, more even mixing and a lighter cake texture.
- Always sift flour to prevent lumps and create a more delicate, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
- For a gluten-free version, swap self-rising flour with a gluten-free blend and add extra baking powder.
- Gently fold ingredients to maintain air bubbles, which help create a soft, fluffy cake structure.
- Avoid overmixing batter to prevent a tough, dense cake that lacks the signature light and airy consistency.
- Check cake doneness early to prevent drying out, as ovens can vary in temperature and baking performance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg