Orange Chiffon Cake 2
Ingredients
- 300 g egg whites (10; 1.25 cups)
- 1.25 t cream of tartar
- 300 g sugar - caster (separated: 2 Tbsp + the rest; 1.5 cups)
- 225 g cake flour (sifted; 2.25 cups)
- 2 t baking powder
- 1/2 t salt
- 108 g oil (1/2 cup)
- 130 g egg yolks (7; 1/2 cup)
- 3/4 c fresh orange juice (6oz)
- 2 T grated orange zest
- 1 t vanilla
Method
1. In a large mixing bowl beat the egg whites until frothy, add the cream of tartar, and beat until soft peaks form when the beater is raised. Beat in the 2 Tablespoons sugar and beat until stiff peaks form when the beater is raised slowly.
2. In another large mixing bowl combine the flour, the remaining sugar, baking powder, and salt; beat 1 minute to mix. Make a well in the center. Add the oil, egg yolks, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla; beat 1 minute or until smooth.
3. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter until just blended.
4. Pour into the tube pan (the batter will come to 1" from the top), run a small metal spatula or knife through the batter to prevent air pockets, and bake for 55 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center.
5. Invert the pan, placing the tube opening over the neck of a soda or wine bottle to suspend it well above the counter, and cool the cake completely in the pan (this takes about 90 minutes).
6. Loosen the sides with a long metal spatula and remove the center core of the pan. Dislodge the bottom and center core with a metal spatula or thin, sharp knife. (A wire cake tester works well around the core. To keep the sides attractive, press the spatula against the sides of the pan and avoid any up-and-down motion.) Invert onto a greased wire rack and reinvert onto a serving plate. Wrap airtight.
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Adornments: A light sprinkling of powdered sugar and/or decorate the base and center with orange blossoms or fresh daisies. Candied orange zest scattered on top also makes an attractive and flavorful addition.
Serve: Room temperature or lightly chilled. Cut with a serrated knife.
Finished Height: 4 1/2 inches high in the middle.
Store: 3 days room temperature, 10 days refrigerated, 2 months frozen.
Notes
Notes from source: Moist, billowy, light as a feather, and perfumed with fresh orange juice and zest, this is an incomparably refreshing cake. If you live in a part of the world where oranges grow, you could not ask for a more appropriate and aromatic adornment than orange blossoms, but fresh daisies also convey the lighthearted spirit of this lovely cake.
Pointers for Success:
• Use cake flour that does not contain leavening. Do not use self-rising cake flour.
• Use superfine sugar for the finest texture and maximum volume.
• Measure or weigh ingredients carefully.
• Do not use oil that contains silicates — it will be listed on the label.
• Egg whites must be free of even a trace of yolk and the bowl must be spotless.
• When beating egg whites, use cream of tartar or be careful to beat just until stiff peaks form when the beater is raised slowly.
• Fold flour gently but thoroughly into the batter.
• Prevent air pockets by running a small metal spatula or knife through the batter before baking.
• Use the correct pan size.
• Bake immediately after mixing.
• Check for accurate oven temperature.
• Use correct baking time; do not underbake.
• Cool cakes upside down, well elevated from the countertop, in a draft-free area.
• Wrap cakes well when cool.
• An angel food cake folder, large balloon whisk, or slotted skimmer is ideal for folding in the flour with the least amount of air loss. If using the whisk, periodically shake out the batter which collects inside.