Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake

Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake is a delightful treat that brings a burst of citrus flavor into your baking. This cake is not only moist and flavorful but also easy to prepare. With the warm spices and a hint of orange, it creates a perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it with afternoon tea or celebrating a special event, this cake is sure to impress your friends and family.

Why Make This Recipe

There are many reasons to make Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake. First, it’s simple! Even if you’re a beginner baker, you can follow the straightforward steps and achieve great results. The use of an entire orange in the recipe adds unique flavor and keeps the cake moist. Plus, it’s a versatile dessert. You can enjoy it plain, dress it up with icing, or serve it with a scoop of ice cream. This cake is perfect for tea parties, birthdays, or just a cozy night at home.

How to Make Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake

Making Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake is an enjoyable experience. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious cake ready to serve.

Ingredients

1 small thin-skinned orange
275g (10 oz) self-raising flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
275g (10 oz) caster sugar
225g (8 oz) butter, softened
4 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon mixed spice
50g (2 oz) butter, softened (for filling)
175g (6 oz) icing sugar, sifted (plus extra for dusting)
2 tablespoons orange pulp (reserved from the cake)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4. Grease and line two 20cm (8-inch) round cake tins with parchment paper.
Place the whole orange in a small saucepan, cover it with boiling water, and simmer for 20 minutes until it softens. Allow it to cool completely.
Cut the cooled orange in half and remove any seeds. Place the entire orange, including the peel, into a food processor and blend it into a medium-textured pulp. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the pulp for the filling.
To the orange pulp in the food processor, add the self-raising flour, baking powder, caster sugar, softened butter, eggs, cinnamon, and mixed spice. Blend until the batter is smooth and even. Avoid overmixing.
Divide the batter between the prepared tins.
Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and springy to the touch. Let the cakes cool in their tins for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Beat the softened butter in a bowl until creamy. Gradually mix in the sifted icing sugar and reserved orange pulp until the filling is smooth and fluffy.
Spread the orange buttercream over one cake layer and place the second layer on top. Lightly dust the top with icing sugar for a simple yet elegant finish.

How to Serve Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake

Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake is lovely on its own, but you can also serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Enjoy it with coffee or tea for a perfect afternoon snack.

How to Store Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake

To keep your Orange Spice Cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay tasty for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to three months.

Tips to Make Mary Berry’s Orange Spice Cake

Make sure the butter is softened for easy mixing.
Avoid overmixing the batter to keep your cake light and fluffy.
Use a fine grater for the orange zest if you decide to add it for extra flavor.
Test the cakes with a toothpick to check if they are fully baked before taking them out of the oven.

Variation

You can easily customize this Orange Spice Cake by adding nuts or chocolate chips to the batter. Another tasty variation is to replace the orange with lemon for a refreshing lemon spice cake.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of orange?
Yes, you can use other types of oranges, but thin-skinned oranges work best for this recipe to ensure a great flavor.

2. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the self-raising flour with a gluten-free blend. Be sure to check the measurements and instructions on the flour package for best results.

3. How can I make the cake more spicy?
If you want a spicier cake, you could increase the amount of cinnamon or mixed spice in the recipe to suit your taste.

Enjoy baking and savoring this delightful Orange Spice Cake by Mary Berry!