Ingredients
Fruit and Nuts
- 3 medium-sized oranges (zested and juiced, fresh and organic preferred)
- 1 cup pistachios (finely chopped, plus extra for garnish)
- 1.5 cups almond meal (finely ground almonds)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- a pinch salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
For Serving
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Whipped cream or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation of oranges: Place the whole oranges in a pot of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour to soften the oranges and deepen their flavor.
- Cool and prep oranges: Allow the cooked oranges to cool completely. Cut them in half and carefully remove any seeds to avoid bitterness.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the cake.
- Make orange puree: Using a blender or food processor, puree the cooled oranges including the peel until smooth, which adds a robust citrus flavor to the cake batter.
- Beat eggs and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture becomes foamy and increases in volume. Avoid overbeating to maintain the right texture.
- Combine ingredients: Gently fold in the orange puree, followed by almond meal, chopped pistachios, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir just until the mixture is well combined to keep the batter light.
- Prepare baking pan: Grease a 9-inch round cake pan thoroughly to prevent sticking, and then pour the batter evenly into the pan.
- Bake the cake: Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before carefully inverting it onto a plate to retain its shape and moisture.
- Garnish and serve: Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar and sprinkle additional chopped pistachios on top for an attractive finish. Optionally, serve with whipped cream or honey for added sweetness and creaminess.
Notes
- Using whole oranges including the peel intensifies the citrus flavor but be sure to remove all seeds to prevent bitterness.
- Ensure almond meal is finely ground to achieve a smooth, tender cake texture.
- Do not overbeat the eggs to avoid a dense cake.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan to prevent breaking.
- Optional toppings like whipped cream or honey complement the nutty and citrus flavors beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian