Orange Pound Cake and Me, Me, Me!

I know you guys lie awake at night, thinking to yourselves; "What I want most in the world is to know more about Vickii ..." Well, consider your wish my command, because this post is mostly about me! Ha ha, only kidding. Kind of.  I saw this on another blog (can't remember which one) and thought it would be fun to do - so enjoy, and feel free to judge me as harshly as you want.


Today's post is an orange pound cake that I made for church a few weeks ago when the weather was so lovely, I wanted to bake something with a refreshing zesty flavour. A lot of people thought it was lemon drizzle cake which is interesting as I think it is quite distinctively orange. But either way, it is a gorgeous pound cake. Soft and moist and fabulously citrusy yet not overwhelmingly so. Enjoy!

 1. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Totally! I'm a great friend.
2. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
A lot compared to who? Actually, it doesn't matter, yes I use sarcasm a lot. In fact, I think  I'm genetically incapable of opening my mouth without being sarcastic. 
3. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yup
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Does bacon count?
5. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Probably not. I don't really get the point of jumping off somewhere really high just to bounce up and down and dangle after. Jumping out of a plane, now that I get.
6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
The cereal formerly known as Cinnamon Grahams. I've introduced so many people to it! It is  soooo good that I don't think it can technically be referred to as cereal. More like crunchy dessert.
7. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Only my running shoes because apparently it's bad to tug them off your feet while they're still laced up.
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
One of the American Ben & Jerry's flavours. I can't choose. That's like asking me to pick a favourite child. (I don't have kids but I imagine that would be hard ;p)
9. RED OR PINK?
Pink - despite vehemently fighting it, it turns out I'm quite a girly girl
10. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION?
Hawaii. Or Cape Town. I wouldn't say no to Tahiti either. Or Thailand.
11. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Camel coloured boots.
12. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A jam sandwich for breakfast.
13. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Yellow!
14. FAVORITE SMELLS?
I have LOTS of favourite smells. The sea. The smell of yummy baking. Stella McCartney's Stella perfume. Jo Malone's Nectarine and Honey perfume. Davidoff's cool water on men. The smell of caramelising onions. Freshly brewed coffee.... I could go on forever
15. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My mum

16. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Football during the World or European cups17. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope

18. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy endings.
19. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Going The Distance. It wasn't as good the second time around.

20. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

I'm wearing a strappy top in a colour best described as some shade of yellow.

21. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

'I'm reading 'The Nanny Returns' - sequel to 'The Nanny Diaries'. I wouldn't recommend it.
22. FAVORITE SOUND?
The sound of waves crashing on a beach.23. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Depends on which is further from London; California or Vancouver?

24. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU WATCHED ON TV?

Probably 'Come Dine with Me'.

Recipe from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Yields 2 loaves

Ingredients

For the Pound Cake

226g unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

4 extra - large eggs, at room temperature

1/3 cup grated orange zest (from 6 oranges)

3 cups plain flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Orange Syrup

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1/2 cup sugar

For the Orange Glaze

2 cups icing sugar

4 - 6 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 - Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 / 350F. Grease bottom and sides of two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans; dust with flour, tapping out excess. Line the bottoms with grease proof paper (optional).

2 - Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer still running, beat in the eggs, one at a time, and the orange zest.

3 - In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

4 - In another small bowl, combine orange juice, buttermilk and vanilla.

5 - Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternatively to the butter and sugar mixture; beginning and ending with the flour. Beat until combined, not too long.

6 - Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes

7 - While the loaves are cooling, make the orange syrup by combining the orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, continue to cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat.

8 - Remove loaves from tin and place on a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet. Use a toothpick to poke holes in the tops and sides of the loaves. 

9 - Brush the tops and sides of the loaves with the orange syrup. Let the syrup soak into the cake and brush again. Let the cakes cool completely.

10 - To make the orange glaze, in a small bowl whisk together the icing sugar and 4 tablespoons of the orange juice. The mixture should be thick but pourable. Add up to another tablespoon of orange juice if the mixture is too stiff.

11 - Pour the orange glaze over the top of each loaf and let it drip down the sides. Let the orange glaze harden, about 15 minutes, before serving