Ingredients
Method
Cook and Blend the Oranges
- Put the whole oranges in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 90 minutes, topping up water as needed, until a knife slides through the skin with no resistance.
- Drain the oranges and let them cool for 15 minutes. Cut into quarters, remove any large seeds, and blend the quarters, peel included, in a food processor until smooth and thick.
Mix and Bake the Cake
- Heat the oven to 180 C / 350 F. Grease a 23 cm / 9-inch springform pan with the oil and line the base with parchment.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes, until pale and slightly thick.
- Add the ground almonds, baking powder, and salt to the egg mixture. Fold in the orange puree until the batter is smooth and even.
- Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Make the Syrup and Finish
- While the cake bakes, combine the orange juice, sugar, water, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened, then remove the cinnamon stick.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Poke holes over the top with a skewer, then pour the warm syrup slowly over the cake so it soaks in.
- Scatter the toasted flaked almonds over the top. Let the cake cool completely in the pan, about 20 minutes, before slicing.
Notes
- Boil oranges a day ahead and refrigerate the puree to split the work over two days.
- Use a springform pan so the sticky, syrup-soaked cake releases cleanly.
- Don't skip poking holes before pouring syrup, or it pools on top instead of soaking through.
- Let the cake cool fully before slicing, or it falls apart while still warm.
