Orange cake

Orange cake is a quick and flavorful dessert, perfect for bringing a touch of freshness into your life. This simple recipe will teach you how to make a soft and fluffy cake that will impress not only with its taste but also with its vibrant appearance. The total preparation time is about 1 hour, and this recipe yields 8 delicious servings.

Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 200 g sugar
- 100 ml sunflower oil
- 150 ml fresh orange juice (about 2-3 oranges)
- Zest from 2 oranges
- 250 g flour
- 1 packet baking powder (10 g)
- A pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar for decoration (optional)

Preparation:
1. Start by preparing the baking pan. Use a pan with a middle tube or a regular pan lined with parchment paper. Grease well with butter or oil to prevent sticking. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes fluffy and light in color. This step is essential for achieving an airy texture.

3. Add the oil and orange juice, mixing gently. Then, incorporate the grated orange zest, which will add an intense flavor to your cake.

4. In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. This will help eliminate any lumps and ensure an even distribution of the leavening agent.

5. Start to incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon. Do this with gentle movements to avoid losing the air in the mixture. Don't worry if the batter seems thicker – that's a good sign!

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and level the surface. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the cake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Once baked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. For an elegant decoration, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the cake before serving. This gives it a special look and adds an extra touch of sweetness.

Serving suggestions:
The orange cake can be served plain or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delicious contrast. You can also add caramelized orange slices to enhance the citrus flavors.

Possible variations:
If you want to experiment, you can replace some of the flour with ground almonds for a richer taste. Additionally, adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg will provide another level of flavor complexity.

This orange cake is not only an easy dessert to prepare, but also an excellent choice for gatherings with friends or celebrations. Whether you enjoy it with a cup of tea or as a sweet snack, it will surely delight you!

 Ingredients: 200 g Navel orange (or another sweet variety) cut into pieces with the skin on, 175 g butter at room temperature, 3 eggs, 1 cup caster sugar (or powdered sugar), 2 cups self-raising flour. For the glaze: 1 cup icing sugar, 2 tablespoons orange juice.