Nicky Dear Health Coach

This is one of my families favourite sweet treats for special occasions – Soft, luscious and bursting with orange flavour . Not one for eating every day !!

160g fine semolina flour
13 g almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
50ml freshly squeezed orange juice
Zest 3 medium oranges, finely grated and juiced
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
220g unsalted butter, softened
200g white granulated sugar
3 large eggs

For the syrup
100ml orange juice (either fresh or from concentrate)
100g white granulated sugar

For the topping
¾ cup natural Greek yoghurt
Orange Zest

Orange Slices for Decoration

-Preheat oven to 180C

-Grease and line an 8 inch spring form tin with baking paper.
-Place the semolina flour, plain flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and whisk to combine.
-Combine the orange juice, zest (keep some back for decoration) and freshly squeezed juice with vanilla and set aside.
-In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy.
-Add the eggs one at a time and beat well after each to combine
-On the lowest speed or with a spatula, gently fold in 1/3 of the flour mixture, followed by 1/2 the juice mixture and repeat until all added and only just combined.
-Tip the thick batter into your prepared tin and bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a couple of crumbs.

– After about 5 minutes remove from the tin and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack.

For the Orange Syrup
-Pour the orange juice and sugar into small saucepan over low heat and mix gently until the sugar has dissolved.

-Bring to a low simmer until reduced by half.

To Finish
-Once the cake and syrup have cooled, prick the top of the cake with a toothpick.

-Pour over about half of the syrup (save the rest for serving).

-If the syrup pools in the centre use a pastry brush or spoon to spread it out.
-Spread the yoghurt over the top and sprinkle over some remaining zest.

-I like to slice some orange on top for decoration

-Serve with remaining syrup.

Why not try this with Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit or Blood Orange!