Smile!
Time really flies, it’s time for another Home Bakers! I have missed the previous one because I kept forgetting to search for polenta. I finally bought a small packet of it today so I will be attempting the bake this weekend 🙂 There are 9 days left to that bake so if you want to join us, do head over here for more information!
Back to the bake this time, chosen by Eileen of Hundred Eighty Degrees. This is indeed a very interesting cake – orange and raisins are blended into a paste and added into the batter, and because the raisins are soaked in a little rum before hand (tip from Eileen!) the cakes turned out really moist, delicious and very fragrant.
However, so far nobody could make out what was the flavour added into the cake (though they liked the taste of it) until I told them, probably because orange cakes weren’t common here. If you are into fruity and moist cakes, look no further, this is one you should definitely try 😉
Ouch!
Keeping the post short as I really need to catch more sleep (been working late for the past few days), so here are the step-by step photos!
Step-by-step Photos | |
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| 1) Chop up 1/2 an orange. | 2) Blend it together with some rum-soaked raisins. |
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| 3) Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. | 4) Beat in 1 egg. |
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| 5) Then mix in the orange and raisins blend - looks a little gross here but don't freak out! | 6) Sift in 1/2 of the flour mixture and beat it in on slow speed. |
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| 7) Add in the buttermilk and beat it in. | 8) Sift in the remaining flour and beat it in. |
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| 9) Scoop them till they're 3/4 full and top with chocolate chips. | 10) Make a smiley face! |
Yum!
I’m submitting this to The Home Bakers, do click here to see all other fellow home bakers’ bakes!
Essence of Orange Chocolate Cake (makes 10-12 cupcakes)
adapted from Coffee Cakes by Lou Seibert Pappas
I baked the cupcakes at 175 degrees Celsius for 20-25 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
For the full recipe, please head over to Eileen’s blog!
Super Naggy:
To make 1 cup of buttermilk, measure 1 tablespoon vinegar / lemon juice and add into an empty measuring cup. Add in milk until it reaches 1 cup. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir before using.
Happy baking!
Frances says
Hi Jasline… Thanks for checking out my blog and liking my recent post! You have some amazing recipes on your blog, like these cupcakes. They sound delish!
Yiisan says
HI, Im just drop by to have a bite of ur cake, thanks.
Grace (Life can be simple) says
Jasline, I love your little cupcakes and of course, your brilliant idea of soaking the raisins in rum!! This cake is nice 🙂
Jasline says
Hi Zoe! I think your take on the recipe is very interesting! Would never have thought of using boiled orange!
Zoe says
Hi Jasline,
Your mini orange chocolate cakes look very cute with its mini polka dot design. I didn’t like raisin in this combination and change the recipe too dramatically… Ops!
Zoe
Jasline says
Thank you for hosting Linda 🙂
Jasline says
Wish I could send one to you my friend! Take care!
Jasline says
Ahh, how about cointreau? I think I’ll try using cointreau instead to further intensify the orange flavour. I think I’ll be able to blog about the polenta post some time this week, stay tuned! 😉
P.S. I just blogged a recipe using one that you’ve shared on your blog, thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe 😀
Jasline says
Thank you very much Michelle! Very happy to link it to your party 🙂
Michelle says
Orange and chocolate is a classic combo, but I’ve never tried it! I like the rum soaked raisins. And, of course, the smiley face! Thank you for linking with See Ya in the Gumbo. this week
Sibella at bakingwithsibella.com says
Blending orange and raisins together is a great idea.Yum! I will have to try this!
Bam's Kitchen (@bamskitchen) says
It sounds like with some of the days you have been having at work maybe you should just start eating the rum soaked raisins as a starter. Hopefully a break comes your way soon. These little muffins looks so moist and delicious and they are smiling back at me. Take care of yourself. BAM
ChgoJohn says
I know I’m not much of a baker but creating a puree of orange and raisins is new to me, Jasline. I can see, though, where it would be a great way to combine really disparate flavors and distribute the combo evenly throughout the batter. Very clever, as are the smiley faces!
johnnysenough hepburn says
These sound great. Although rum and I aren’t friends. And, I’ll be curious as to what you’re going to be using polenta for as I can now buy that in a small International store. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever had polenta.
Paul says
Please email me at paul@sweetpaulmag.com
Have some questions about your entry for our “My happy dish” contest
Its really urgent….
Choc Chip Uru says
I love jaffa style my friend and I need to eat this 😀
Cheers
CCU
Linda Nortje (@WithABlast) says
Looks delicious and I love the combo of Orange and Chocolate ! Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party 🙂
Jasline says
Hi Suzanne! Hmmm I think you can substitute with other dried fruits, like apricots? Or maybe even dried prunes or dried currants! However. I think some dried fruits are not as moist as raisins, so I think it’d be better to soak them first before blending. The sugar level may need to be adjusted well as raisins are a lot sweeter! I hope this helps! 🙂
Jasline says
Hahaha I know what you mean! But I think it’s easier to bring to work and eat as they’re already portioned nicely 😉
Thanks Joyce! Hope I’ll be able to post the bake soon! 🙂
apuginthekitchen says
Orange and chocolate are my favorite combination, the cupcakes look incredibly moist and delicious. I am not a fan of raisins, can the recipe do without or is there something you would substitute? I love the simplicity and delicious flavors.
Jasline says
Makes me happy too! 🙂
yummychunklet says
How cute! Happy face cupcakes!
Jasline says
Hi Lena! 🙂 Thank you! Can’t wait to see your bake! Since it’s already 12.35am… I’m gonna say good night! Take care!
Jasline says
Oh dear, poor you! Do take care of health! The weather’s really erratic these days, can fall ill very easily! 🙁
Haha, I managed to get off work earlier today so I was able to squeeze out this blog post. I’m so looking forward to Labour Day! Two more weeks!
lena says
good evening jasline, will be making mine sometime this week so now hopping over to read all of your reviews on the cake. I do find it cute baking it in cupcake form especially with the choc buttons 🙂
Eileen, Hundred Eighty Degreez says
Hi Jasline, I like your cakes topped with choc buttons, look so good visually and I’m sure yours turned out perfectly excellent: ) looks like we’re on the same boat, I’ve been working 11-13 hours at the office, first to arrive and last to go everyday for three weeks. Seriously need a break! Sigh… .
kitchen flavours says
Hi Jasline,
You’ve made them into lovely smiley cupcakes! At first I wanted to make them into cupcakes, but I am forever lazy at washing my muffins pans, so many holes to clean! hahaha! that’s me, plain lazy! This is indeed a very delicious, moist and tender cake. We love it!
Go get some rest, you would need your energy for your cornmeal baking this weekend! 🙂
Goodnight!
Emily says
Hi SMILEY!!