One of the big surprises about blogging is that I realized shortly after I started up that it was the first time in my life that I haven’t had somebody – anybody – telling me what to do.
Plus there’s the added bonus that I am always trying new recipes.
This recipe for a flourless, butterless orange Torte comes from a displaced Scot living in the Alsace – Lovely Buns. I’ve adapted the original version slightly to suit my own preferences.
I knew I’d love this elegant-looking cake as soon as I saw the photograph and read the ingredient list. It’s incredibly moist and has an intense orange flavour and a great texture and richness thanks to the ground almonds. As a huge bonus, it’s gluten and dairy-free (minus the whipping cream garnish of course).
It’s also simple – using only a few ingredients. My favourite way to cook.
Note that you must bring the orange to the boil and then simmer it for an hour before you start the cake.
Orange and Almond Torte
1 medium orange, preferably organic as you are going to use the whole orange, skin and all
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 ¼ cups ground almonds (sometimes called almond meal)
½ tsp baking powder
Icing sugar to dust
In a medium saucepan, cover the orange (whole) with water and bring it to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for an hour, then drain thoroughly and allow to cool. Cut off the ends of the orange, cut into quarters, remove any seeds, and then place the orange (skin and all) into a food processor and blend saucepan to a smooth puree.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Beat together the eggs and sugar for a couple of minutes until thick and pale, then fold in the ground almonds, baking powder and orange puree. Pour the batter into a well-greased 9-inch spring-form pan and bake for 40-50 minutes.
Allow the cake to cool before removing from the pan. Dust with icing sugar and serve with whipped cream, crème fraiche, or Greek yoghurt. I served mine with whipped cream and a small dollop of homemade jam for colour.
This is real neat! I love it! =)
thanks! ; )
That looks fantastic!
It is pretty cool how you can meet so many different people by blogging isn’t it? 🙂
Thanks and yes – it’s the great surprise of blogging. Quite sweet!
Can’t wait to try it!! Sounds wonderful!!
I’ll stick a piece in my freezer for you! xo
Hey, Your tort looks fantastic 🙂 A million thanks for your kind words and praise for my blog!
My pleasure – and the cake is divine. A foodie’s cake. Thank you for posting it. Look forward to following you in your kitchen. I’ll be in the south of France soon & will wave as i pass by!
what a lovely post! That’s what I love about blogging – interacting with amazing people from all around the world who share my passions 🙂 That cake sounds amazing.
Hello Hungry Mum! Thank you – and yes it truly is one of the surprising joys of blogging – the unexpected interactions with people around the globe. I’m a dual Australian / Canadian citizen – and love following your Australian blog…. memories of passionfruit etc.
I can identify with everything you’re saying;I have people in Italy,Ireland Australia,India and Malaysia…and more than a few Canadians…Canadians love their food! ( Maybe I should emigrate?)
I have goals in my blog;to show people that they CAN cook and entertain and to tell their stories.I have people trying to get me to make it professional,to show them what I made in my bakery/restaurant,( fancy cakes and all), or conversely, to show only easy, foods using all processed food products. Please yourself first; people will follow and I am going to be checking back with you!
YES! Please yourself first. It’s not always easy to do though, is it?! Thanks for visiting my blog and I look forward to reading yours.
Thanks!