Special-occasion orange layer cake

20 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
Vegetable cooking spray
cupSifted cake flour
teaspoonBaking powder
¼teaspoonSalt
¼cupVegetable oil
2tablespoonsGrated orange rind, (6 oranges)
2teaspoonsVanilla extract
2teaspoonsOrange extract
1Egg yolk
cupSugar, divided
¾cupWarm 2% low-fat milk, 95 to 100 degrees
4Egg whites
cupFresh orange juice, divided
¾cupDried whole apricots, (3 ounces)
¾cupSugar
tablespoonCornstarch
2teaspoonsMargarine
tablespoonFresh lemon juice
cupStick margarine or butter, softened
2tablespoonsNonfat cream cheese, softened
teaspoonVanilla extract
1dashSalt
cupSifted powdered sugar, (17 ounces)
5teaspoonsSkim milk

Directions

BASIC CAKE RECIPE

APRICOT-ORANGE FILLING

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BASIC CAKE RECIPE: Coat bottoms of 2 (8- or 9- inch) round cake pans with cooking spray (do not coat sides of pan); line bottom with wax paper. Coat wax paper with cooking spray, and dust with flour; set aside.

Sift together 2-½ cups flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Combine yogurt and next 5 ingredients (yogurt through egg yolk) in a large bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer until blended. Add 1 cup sugar, and beat well. Gradually add the milk, beating at medium-low speed 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves.

Beat egg whites (at room temperature) at high speed until foamy. Gradually add the remaining ½ cup sugar, beating mixture until stiff peaks begin to form. Add the flour mixture and egg white mixture alternately to the yogurt mixture, beating at low speed. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack. Loosen cake from sides of pans, using a narrow metal spatula, and turn out onto wire rack. Peel off wax paper, and let cool completely.

Slice cake layers in half horizontally. Place one layer, cut side up, on a serving plate. Spread ⅔ cup Apricot-Orange Filling over cake to within ½ inch of edge. Repeat procedure with remaining cake layers and filling.

Frost sides and top of cake with Buttercream Frosting. Yield: 20 servings (serving size: 1 slice).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APRICOT-ORANGE FILLLING: Combine ¾ cup orange juice and apricots in a nonaluminum saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until apricots are tender. Spoon into a blender or food processor, and process until smooth.

Combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Gradually add remaining ¾ cup orange juice, stirring with a wire whisk until well-blended. Add the margarine; bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add apricot mixture and lemon juice. Pour into a bowl; cover and chill 4 hours.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BUTTERCREAM FROSTING: Cream margarine and cream cheese at medium speed of a mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt; beat well. Gradually add sugar and milk, beating at low speed. Increase speed to high, and beat until well-blended and spreadable. Yield: 2 cups.

Per serving: 338 Calories; 7g Fat (18% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 68g Carbohydrate; 12mg Cholesterol; 148mg Sodium NOTES : If you're not staging a wedding, you can make a four-layer cake for birthdays and other special occasions with this recipe. It uses the same cake and frosting recipes as the wedding cake but contains a different apricot filing that's simpler to make.

Recipe by: Susan G. Purdy, Cooking Light, April 1995, page 91 Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #418 by igor@... on Jan 28, 1997.