Orange Cake

This is a refreshingly light cake and I made this for our New Year's get together - serve this with whipped cream and fresh oranges and you are surely going to love it. The Grand Marnier liqueur in the simple syrup makes all the difference in the world:)

A very Happy New Year's to all !

        Ingredients:

• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups (21/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 2 to 3 oranges, sectioned
  

  
  Simple Syrup:

  
  

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier

  
  Method:

  •  Heat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Generously grease two 9x2 inch round baking pans.
  • Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium size bowl.
  • With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the orange rind and vanilla. On low speed, beat in flour mixture and orange juice alternately until well blended. Scrape batter into prepared pans, smoothing the top of the batter.
  • Bake in 350 degree oven 25 to 30 minutes, until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool cakes in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. 
  • Mix the ingredients of the simple syrup and drizzle generously on the cakes.
  • Invert cakes in a serving plate. Serve with whipped cream and fresh oranges or just eat it plain as is and enjoy.