Italian Carrot and Almond Cake with Oranges in Caramel 🥕🍊
Overview:
This delightful Italian Carrot and Almond Cake with Oranges in Caramel is a true culinary gem, inspired by Chef Antony Worrall Thompson’s recipe from the BBC’s Friends for Dinner show. Bursting with vibrant flavors and textures, this dessert is perfect for special occasions like the High Holidays, Christmas, or Thanksgiving. Let’s dive into the recipe and create magic in your kitchen!
Time Management:
- Preparation Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups caster sugar
- 2 cups water
- Zest of 4 oranges
- 8 whole oranges
- 4 cups sugar
- Zest of 8 lemons
- 8 carrots
- 8 tablespoons self-raising flour
- 1 cup pine nuts
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 cup crème fraîche
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 716.6
- Fat: 16.6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9g
- Cholesterol: 92.2mg
- Sodium: 72mg
- Carbohydrates: 138.9g
- Fiber: 7.4g
- Sugar: 128.2g
- Protein: 10.8g
Servings:
This recipe yields 8 generous servings.
Instructions:
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Prepare the Oranges in Caramel:
- Begin by carefully peeling the oranges, ensuring to remove as much white pith as possible.
- Slice the oranges horizontally into 1/2-inch thick slices.
- Gently reassemble the slices and secure them with cocktail sticks or toothpicks.
- In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and caster sugar to a boil.
- Add the orange zest and let the mixture simmer until the sugar caramelizes to a golden brown hue.
- Remove the pan from heat and cautiously add the remaining water to the caramelized sugar.
- Reserve a portion of the caramel syrup for later use.
- Using a slotted spoon, submerge the oranges in the caramel and let them simmer, covered, for about 1 hour.
- Once done, remove the oranges from the syrup and continue simmering the syrup until it reduces by half.
- Return the oranges to the caramel syrup until ready to use.
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Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, beat together egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest, and almond essence until thoroughly combined.
- Incorporate grated carrots, almonds, and self-raising flour into the mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the cake batter using a metal spoon.
- Line a 2-inch cake pan with greaseproof paper and pour in the cake batter.
- Arrange eight slices of caramelized orange in a circular pattern on top of the cake.
- Optionally, sprinkle pine nuts over the cake for added crunch and flavor.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Finishing Touches:
- Once the cake is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
- Using a cocktail stick or fork, pierce several holes into the cake.
- Drizzle a generous amount of the reserved caramelized orange syrup over the cake, allowing it to soak up the sweet, citrusy goodness.
- To serve, slice the cake and ensure each piece has a caramelized orange slice on top.
- Garnish each serving with an additional caramelized orange slice, a drizzle of syrup, and a dollop of creamy crème fraîche.
Enjoy the Culinary Delight:
Indulge in the heavenly flavors of this Italian Carrot and Almond Cake with Oranges in Caramel. Each bite is a symphony of sweetness and citrusy zest, guaranteed to delight your taste buds and leave your guests craving for more. Share this exquisite dessert with your loved ones and savor the joy of homemade goodness!
