Best Ever Orange Cake

This is a really delicious Orange Cake from my Grandmother's kitchen. It is simple to make and if you have not tasted Orange Cake before, you are in for a treat.  I like to use a Bundt Pan for this cake as it looks so pretty when you slice it.

Even though this is a simple cake to make, be sure to follow the instructions carefully as far as the separating of the egg whites from the yolks and the mixing time of each.  Also, be sure to allow the egg whites an hour ahead of time to warm to room temperature.

Baking Tip- the recipe calls for sifted flour and salt.  If you do not have a sifter but you have a vegetable steamer, it can be used double duty as a sifter. Just place the flour and salt in steamer over a bowl, and keeping the steamer as closed as possible, shake until all flour sifts through into the bowl.

There are a few alternate toppings you can use with this Orange Cake listed below.  With each one allow the cake to cool for a few minutes and then invert onto a cake plate to apply the toppings.  Enjoy.

Ingredients:
6 egg whites
6 egg yolks
1-3/4 c. sifted flour
6 T. orange juice
1 t. salt
1 T orange peel (or zest)
1- ½ c. sugar

Instructions:
Separate egg whites from egg yolks.  Let egg whites warm to room temp-1hr.

Sift flour with salt; set aside. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored-about 3 min. DO NOT UNDERBEAT. Gradually beat in 1 c. sugar with the egg yolks until smooth.  At low speed, blend flour and orange juice alternately into egg yolk mixture, add orange peel or zest. 

Beat egg whites until foamy.  Gradually beat in ½ c. sugar, 2 T. at a time into the egg whites, beating well.

Fold egg yolk mixture gently into egg whites, dp not overmix at this point so your will get a nice rise to your Orange Cake. Pour in greased tube or Bundt pan. Bake in preheated 350° oven 50-55 min.   When cake is done allow to cool for a few minutes and then invert onto cake plate.  Apply any of the suggested toppings below.

Topping:
This cake is delicious as is, but for some variety, you may like to sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top of the cake while still warm. As an alternate, use the glaze below and pour over warm cake

Alternate Glaze:
1 cup evaporated milk or cream
¼ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 t. vanilla
Cook over medium heat and boil 5 minutes.

After cooling cake for a few minutes, invert onto cake plate and pour warm glaze over top of cake.

Another option is to make a few tiny holes in the top of the warm cake and drizzle some orange juice over the top.