27 Apr 2013

orange ricotta cakes


Zesty orange cakes are, I think, made for the cooler months of the year. They are a burst of golden summer sunshine in your mouth - and your nostrils, it has to be said, because they should smell just divine. These ones do, and they also have a rich, moist, fluffy crumb, thanks to the generous bucketload of ricotta and three fat eggs (thanks, chookies). They're spot-on for morning tea; enjoy one ... or two ... with a robust mug of earl grey tea for perfect pick-me-up.

Orange ricotta cakes
My recipe says 'adapted from Cake keeper cakes' - say that ten times fast - which would have been a library book. This made 14 cupcakes.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 and prep a muffin tin with papers.
  • Cream 160 gms softened butter with 1 and 1/2 cups sugar.
  • Add 350 gms ricotta and beat til combined (I would say 'til smooth' but mine looked rather like cottage cheese at this point).
  • Add 3 eggs, 1 and 1/2 tspn vanilla, the zest of 2 oranges and 1/4 cup orange juice (including all the pulpy bits - there's flavour and colour there!).
  • Now fold thru 2 cups plus 1 tbspn plain flour, 1 and 1/2 tspn baking powder, and 1/2 tspn baking/bicarb soda.
  • Spoon into your muffin tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until done.
  • I would say these are nicest eaten warm, so re-heat gently if necessary.

8 comments:

  1. Oh yum, I can almost smell them from here :)

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  2. Oh my, the scent when baking with orange is so amazing. I love that they have ricotta, one of my favorite ingredients. Wonderful little cupcakes!

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    1. ricotta is one of my favourite baking ingredients too, paula. makes everything so light and fluffy and moist!

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  3. You had me at ricotta cakes ... but throw in the word orange and i'm well and truly hooked! Definitely going to give these little babies a try. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Replies
    1. thanks nathalie! i think that second photos says it all - i was munching away when i thought, i HAVE to show everyone how moist and fluffy these little cakes are! supernice when served warm.

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