Monday, July 25, 2011

The Duality of Citrus Cake


Light as a cloud.
Dense as a London fog.
Can it be both?
Yes it can.
Why?
Let me tell you...

Pogue Colonel: Marine, what is that button on your body armor?
Private Joker: A peace symbol, sir.
Pogue Colonel: Where'd you get it?
Private Joker: I don't remember, sir.
Pogue Colonel: What is that you've got written on your helmet?
Private Joker: "Born to Kill", sir.
Pogue Colonel: You write "Born to Kill" on your helmet and you wear a peace button. What's that supposed to be, some kind of sick joke?
Private Joker: No, sir.
Pogue Colonel: You'd better get your head and your ass wired together, or I will take a giant shit on you.
Private Joker: Yes, sir.
Pogue Colonel: Now answer my question or you'll be standing tall before the man.
Private Joker: I think I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man, sir.
Pogue Colonel: The what?
Private Joker: The duality of man. The Jungian thing, sir.
Pogue Colonel: Whose side are you on, son?
Private Joker: Our side, sir.
Pogue Colonel: Don't you love your country?
Private Joker: Yes, sir.
Pogue Colonel: Then how about getting with the program? Why don't you jump on the team and come on in for the big win?
Private Joker: Yes, sir.

- Full Metal Jacket -

RECIPE
(adapted from Cakes to Celebrate Love and Life by Maritz and Guy)
("Our Gran's Famous Orange Cake", pg. 123)

INGREDIENTS:
  • 185 grams (6.6 ounces) unsalted Butter (NB: at room temperature)
  • 280 grams (9.9 ounces) gluten-free all-purpose Flour (e.g. Nature's Choice Cake Flour)
  • 200 grams (7.1 ounces/a whole cup) Sugar
  • 125 ml (4.2 fl. ounces/a half cup) full-cream Milk
  • 3 large eggs (NB: at room temperature)
  • 45 ml (1.5 fl. ounces/3 tablespoons) Orange Juice
  • 2.5 ml (a half teaspoon) Orange Zest (finely grated)
  • 5ml (a whole teaspoon) gluten-free Baking Powder
  • 1.25 ml (a quarter teaspoon) Salt
METHOD:
  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (175 to be safe...that's approx. 347 Fahrenheit).
  2. Grease and flour a bundt cake pan, or grease and line 2 x 18cm (2 x 7 inch) round cake pans.
  3. Beat the sugar and room-temp butter together till light and fluffy.
  4. Mix in the room-temp eggs and milk.
  5. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix until there are no visible lumps.
  6. Pour the batter into the bundt cake pan, or divide it equally between the two round pans.
  7. Bake on the centre oven rack for 18 - 25 mins (bundt cake pan) or 20 - 30 minutes (round cake pans). The times vary greatly depending on the size of the cake tin you use, and your individual oven, so here are the signs to look for that the cakes are done: (a) a cake skewer inserted comes out clean; and (b) the centre of the cake springs back when pressed lightly.
  8. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pans before turning out.
  9. Citrus cake for the win! And then onto frosting...
Milk Chocolate Ganache

I'm not a fan of buttercream frostings, so zesty ganache it shall be (and not death by tray...)
  • Spare the Ina jokes, but get yourself a GOOD bar of gluten-free milk chocolate (100 grams = 3.5 ounces). 
  • Melt it over low heat (or in the microwave) with a tablespoon or two of cream (depending on desired thickness).
  • Frost the cakes and then sprinkle with grated orange zest.
  • Serves 8 generously.

13 comments:

Ruth said...

Citrus and chocolate - sounds amazing! I have to make this!!

Stacey @ bakercourt said...

Right, I need to send you a giant pack of proper chocolate. Can I even ship that stuff cross-continents? Will find out.

YUM cake. There's something so very satisfying about (1) dark chocolate and (2) baking a ring-shaped cake. Yay!

Linda Harding said...

Hahahahahaha, that opening bit had me in stitches. The cake looks amazing!

Jocie's Mom said...

I love that scene from FMJ :) I think its totally appropriate for this citrus cake of AWESOME!

oomph. said...

haha, great clip. you have the best chocolatey things to eat!!

[oomph.]

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Too funny! Excellent cake...who could resist with that gorgeous ganache glaze??? Not me!

Tiffany said...

Orange and chocolate is my favorite fruit-chocolate combo! I'll take crisp citrus and decadent chocolate ANY day!

Lazaro Cooks said...

Classic combo of orange and chocolate. Love it.

I'm a big fan of Full Metal Jacket.

Be good

Joyti said...

Yes, a chocolate cake can be light and dense. Yours looks delicious.
(and reminds me that I have to remake and re-photograph the flourless chocolate cake I planned to put up a few months ago, since its gluten-free)

Unknown said...

WOW! Your cake looks so sexy! And the combination orange- chocolate is very tasty. Great recipe. I have to save it!
Have a nice day.~hugs~

{and I also like the Jungian thing :)))}

tasteofbeirut said...

Love the cake and the opening paragraph, lots of fun!

Carol said...

What can I say...CHOCOLATE...delicious! Loved by all!
XO Carol

Bwak said...

So pretty! I'd love to taste it!