We’ve all had a moment when we need to create something sweet for our gluten and/or dairy free guests…. and sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start? Well here is your answer, times two!
I always receive great feedback on my Flourless Chocolate Orange cake at parties (it is also dairy free!)…from those with a food intolerance, and those without. This recipe is so easy, and well-received, it is always my go-to!
This version was for my nephew (needed to be dairy-free)…
Heidi’s 1st birthday Cake, double layer with butter icing (needed to be gluten and dairy-free)…
Mum’s 70th Birthday cake… (just needed to be yummy!)
I’ve since created a variation to this wonderful chocolate cake. So it’s about bloody time I shared this version I created last November…
I was a bit bored with always turning to the same dessert option for my gluten and dairy free buddies, so here is a twist on the same recipe. As you can see in the photo, it can also be served up as individual desserts for a more ‘gourmet’ dining experience.
Middle Eastern Orange cake with Spiced Syrup (gluten & dairy free)
This is a Bernice ‘tweak’ to my extremely popular flourless chocolate and orange cake…
- 2 small thin-skinned oranges, approx. 375g total weight (or 1 large)
- 6 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 2 teaspoons of ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 1 vanilla pod (inside of pond only) or vanilla paste (the equivalent to a pod as indicated on the label)
- 200 g almond meal
- 250 g caster sugar
- orange peel and/or segments, for decoration
- Put the whole orange/oranges in a pot with some cold water, bring to the boil and cook for 2 hours or until soft (Note: make sure you check them frequently and add more water to stop them boiling dry)
- Drain, and when cool, cut the oranges in half and remove any big pips.
- Blend everything – pith, peel and all – in a food processor as smooth as you can get it.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Butter and line a 20cm tin (I prefer a springform tin, as is is a very moist cake, and it is easier to remove). Alternatively bake in individual tins as shown in the photo above.
- Add the eggs, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, almond meal, sugar, spices, vanilla and cocoa to the orange puree in the food processor. Blend until you have a smooth-ish cake mixture.
- Pour into the cake tin and bake for an hour (test with a skewer – it should come out clean). Check after 45 minutes because you may have to cover with foil to prevent the cake burning before it is cooked through, or it may need a little less than an hour depending on your oven.
- Leave the cake to get cool in the tin, on a cooling rack. When the cake is cold take it out of the tin.
- Simple garnish – Decorate with strips of orange peel or coarsely grated orange zest
- Elaborate garnish – melt 100g of 70% cocoa dark chocolate with 30 g butter and a teaspoon of olive oil, add the rind of an orange. Poor over the top of the cake when cool, allowing to drip down the sides. Place the petals of a rose in the centre of the cake, with one rose bud sitting int he middle.
Spiced Syrup:
– 1 cup sugar
– 1 cup water
– Rind of 1 orange
– 6 cardomon pods (bruised)
– 2 cinnamon sticks broken up
– 2 Star anise
Place in Saucepan, bring to boil and reduce until syrupy. Can be poured over the cake hot or cold when serving.
Yoghurt for serving:
– Natural Greek yoghurt (use enough to serve some with each serving of cake eg. number of people)
– Grated orange rind, to taste
– Honey (to sweeten the yoghurt)
Serve a slice/portion of cake with the syrup and some yoghurt on the side. I try and place some of the whole spices from the syrup on each plate to use as garnish, with some orange segments and/or peel. I’ve said it before, but I will say it again… you can make this cake ahead of time and freeze it, it will defrost beautifully when you need to use it.
This is amazing served warm, especially on a cold winter night. But is equally tasty cool. The spices with the orange is a match to-die-for!
Enjoy.
Cheers,
Bernice
Hey Bernice! 
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