I have been making this cake for Christmas Eve dessert for many years. It’s a perfect cake for Christmas. It resembles a traditional fruit cake, but doesn’t have to be made ahead of time and is more modern and lighter than an English fruit cake.
It is best after resting for about 24 hours,
so perfect for making the day before when you’re going to be busy on the day you serve it. Adapted from LCBO Food + Drink
Orange and Cranberry Cake
Grated rind of 2 oranges
1 cup (250 mL) dried cranberries
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter
2 eggs
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1 cup (250 mL) plain yogurt
Orange Syrup
1/2 cup (125 mL) orange juice
1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) brandy
Chocolate Glaze
6 ounces (175 g) bitter or semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter
1 tbsp (15 mL) corn syrup
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Cut a
round of parchment paper to fit the base of a well-greased and sugared 9 1/2-inch
(23-cm) springform pan.
2. Process orange rind, cranberries and 2 tbsp (25 mL) sugar in a food
processor until chopped. Reserve
3. In a large bowl or electric mixer, cream the remaining sugar and butter
until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking soda. Beat one
third of flour into creamed mixture, half of yogurt, one third more flour,
remaining yogurt and finish with remaining flour. Mix in the orange
rind-cranberry mixture.
5. Spoon batter into springform pan. Bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted
comes out clean.
6. Remove the sides from the pan and replace the sides again while the cake is
still hot. This is to make sure the cake is loosened from the sides so the
syrup can drip down.
7. For orange syrup, in a small pan, heat the orange juice, sugar and brandy,
stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
8. Using the point of a skewer, make holes over the top of the cake. Pour on
the syrup. Let sit for 24 hours before removing the sides of the pan.
9. For glaze place chocolate, butter and corn syrup in heavy pot on lowest
heat. Stir occasionally until chocolate and butter are incorporated. Remove
from heat, then allow to cool. With a spatula dipped in hot water, spread glaze
over top and sides of cake.
10. Decorate with glazed cranberries and candied orange peel, if desired. Store
cake at room temperature in a cake tin. The cake will keep for 2 weeks. Unglazed
and sprinkled with icing sugar, it will keep for a month.
Makes one 91/2-inch (23-cm) cake
It's always a good time for Christmas
Reading. Are you caught up on the Year Round Christmas Series yet?
It looks delicious! I love anything with Orange and cranberries.
ReplyDeleteThat looks so delicious, and do-able! Thank you, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. This looks like a keeper for sure.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious!
ReplyDeleteDoes the brand of brandy matter? Such a pretty and shiny glaze!
ReplyDelete