Orange and Walnut Sponge Cake

This is a moist and delicious walnut cake made with a whole orange, then topped with powdered sugar. Cinnamon adds a lovely, warm aroma to the cake. Enjoy this wonderful cake with a hot cup of tea / coffee!!!

Ingredients

   Walnuts, chopped - 1½ cups 

   Whole wheat flour/ Maida – 1½ cups 

   Baking powder - 1 tablespoon 

   Butter – 100gms

   Eggs – 4 nos

   Sugar - 1½ cups 

   Fresh orange juice - ½ cup 

   Orange zest, finely grated - 1tablespoon 

   Olive oil, ½ cup 

   Cinnamon, Powdered – ½ tsp

   Powdered sugar, - 1tablespoon

   Butter, for greasing

  

Method

1.   Preheat oven to 125^oC, Grease a 9 inch-diameter springform pan with butter, place a piece of round parchment paper on bottom of pan and spread butter onto the paper.

2.   Grind the walnuts, not too finely, combine with flour and baking powder in a medium bowl, set aside.

3.   Beat the eggs until frothy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the sugar, beating until light, thick and pale yellow, about 4 minutes. Gradually add the walnut/flour mixture, then the orange juice and peel, butter and cinnamon, beating until just blended.

4.   Transfer the batter to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool completely in pan on rack. Release pan sides.

5.   Carefully invert cake unto platter and remove the paper base. Sprinkle powdered sugar, some grated zest and serve!

[Recipe Courtesy: Nigella Lawson]