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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch baking dish or skillet.
Sift flour, salt, and baking powder into a bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in orange zest.
Combine orange juice, milk, and vanilla extract in a measuring cup.
Add dry ingredients and orange juice mixture to butter mixture, alternating and starting/ending with dry ingredients. Mix until combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For optional glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and enough orange juice to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled cake.
Enjoy: Serve your Orange Cake plain or with glaze and relish in its refreshing citrus flavor, perfect for savoring year-round.
Tips for Perfecting Orange Cake:
Fresh Oranges: Utilize fresh oranges for optimal flavor. Extract both juice and zest, as zest holds concentrated citrus oils that enrich the cake’s aroma and taste.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature, especially eggs and butter, for seamless mixing.
Avoid Overmixing: Stir the batter just until ingredients are combined after adding flour. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
Monitor Baking Time: Ovens vary, so begin checking a few minutes before the recipe suggests. Test cake readiness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it emerges clean, the cake is baked.
Allow Cooling Time: Let the cake rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a rack. This promotes proper setting and prevents splitting.
