Desserts: Fluffy Orange Loaf

Just like Christmas, Desserts are a part of Valentine's. Let's enjoy this easy to make Orange cake.

How would you prefer to spend Valentine's, INDOORS, OUTDOORS or you are INDIFFERENT? Vote your preference via this VOTING LINK.

INGREDIENTS

■ 375ml measuring cup of SELF-RAISING flour.

Otherwise, 1 teaspoon of baking powder per 250ml cup of ordinary flour. In this recipe, 2 teaspoons of baking powder.

■ Zest of 2 fresh oranges

■ 2 eggs

■ 125ml cooking oil e.g olive oil

■ 125ml  full cream plain yoghurt - unsweetened

■ Juice squeezed from 1 large orange

■ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

■ 250ml cup of granulated sugar - You can choose to use half. Don't substitute another type of sweetener.

■ 250g dark chocolate chips

■ 250g dark raisins

■ 125g dried cranberries

Here's a delicious ice-cream  RECIPE to go with this gorgeous cake - LINK

METHOD

■ Get a loaf pan ready, lined with parchment paper.

Tin size: 8½ x 4½ x 2½ inches.

■ Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.

1) In a mixing bowl, add in the sugar - orange zest - freshly squeezed orange juice of 1 orange - 2 eggs - 125ml oil - 125ml yoghurt - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

2) Mix with a flat wooden/silicone spatula into a smooth consistency. Don't over mix.

3) Add the chocolate chips, raisins & dried cranberries into the batter. 

TIP: Before adding the chocolate chips, raisins & dried cranberries, add them to a bowl and dust some dry flour on to coat; this prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the cake; helps with even distribution.

4) Add the 375ml self-raising flour. Stir to a smooth batter. Don't over mix.

5) Pour batter into the lined loaf tin.

6) Bake for 50 minutes in your preheated oven at 180°C/350°F.

Check doneness by sticking a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, it's cooked. 

7) Transfer to a cake plate/stand for easier serving.

Our yummy ice-cream recipe goes well with this cake. You can get the recipe HERE.

A drink recipe that goes well with Valentine HERE..

Illustrative video below