Wonderful Vegan Orange Cake!

[Kamagrian]

Hi people.

I've been craving homemade cake for a few days, but needed a recipe that didn't take much energy as I'm still quite tired most of the time. Knowing that vegan baking often has oil rather than margarine/butter in it, and that this would mean less creaming and energy input, I searched on Google and found this recipe:

http://wannabechef.blogspot.com/2005/05/best-dont-tell-them-its-vegan-orange.html

I substituted a little orange extract (just the Supercook stuff) for the orange zest as I didn't feel like going to the shops, and I had all the other ingredients in already. While it was cooling I made a thin 'St. Clement's' syrup by heating some orange and lemon juice with sugar, then I pricked the cake all over and poured the syrup over it.

I just had a slice, and....OH WOW! You absolutely can't tell it's vegan. It's soft, moist, tangy and incredibly easy to make. Matt described it as 'fantastical' when I gave him some, warm, with vanilla Swedish Glace on top. :drool:

Just wanted to share the joy. :lol2:

[Copper]

Sounds really nice. I will have to make this tomorrow. Is the flour plain?

[matt]

would do but orange one of my possible bad guys ingredients! of course it is as i loved it!!!
sounds lovely though

[Kamagrian]

Sounds really nice. I will have to make this tomorrow. Is the flour plain?Yes, just plain flour - the raising happens due to the reaction between the alkaline bicarb and the orange juice/vinegar combination. One of the things I loved about the recipe is that I had EVERYTHING in that I needed to cook it, so didn't have to waste energy and time shopping.

Mine ended up very light and airy, and really moist - though I should warn you that its delicate texture meant that it sunk a little in the centre when I took it out for checking a little early. The cake needed a bit longer in the oven than the recipe says, as I was baking it in an 8" round tin.

Mmm. May have to have another little wedge after dinner. :lol2: I think it'd be really good with a lemon or orange 'butter' cream on top too, or a lemon/orange drizzle icing - though it's nice enough to eat undecorated.

Matt - Sorry for putting temptation in your way! I'm aware that various intolerances (especially to gluten or citrus fruits) will prevent people using the recipe, but I had to share anyway! :)

[Kamagrian]

Oh, my warning again! It's a U.S. recipe, so read 'dessertspoon' for 'tablespoon' or you'll get a shock when cooking some things! Also (in case you're not aware), 'baking soda' means bicarb of soda, not baking powder - I used to be caught out a lot before I read up on 'British-American Cooking Conversions'! :lol2:

[Copper]

Thanks for the warnings Gill. I have a set of American cups but not spoons. I had worked out it was American but did not know about the baking soda - phew that has saved me from another baking disaster.

[Twinkle]

Thanks for the warnings Gill. I have a set of American cups but not spoons. I had worked out it was American but did not know about the baking soda - phew that has saved me from another baking disaster.

I didn't know that about the spoons either - that explains why some of my early baking attempts came out with such a strong baking soda taste - I've been blaming the recipes and using my discretion with the baking powder all these years :)

[matt]

should still work if you use baking powder instead but rising might be alittle off.
bloomin americans and their different measuring amounts!

don't worry about placing temtation infront of me... might finally use a baing tray today that i got ages ago, oven baked ring donuts! lakeland tray, got it and have never got round to using it yet. we shall see.:D

[Copper]

I have one of those trays too :) I have not made ring donuts for ages.

[cnc]

I've never had ring donuts- time for a food parcel?!?!

[matt]

tomorrow maybe as went out today as so sunny. hope i can find the receipe.

[Kamagrian]

I've never had ring donuts- time for a food parcel?!?!Seconded! I've always wondered what the Lakeland-type baked ones are like, they look lovely in the catalogue. :lol2:

Matt ordered a whole LOAD of stuff from Lakeland that arrived at the weekend. We got a pie tin with a pie weight (so I don't have to bother with baking beans, which would frankly just turn into an inconvenient Maliika-toy), a new omelette pan for me (he's trying to persuade me to eat a bit more), a muffin pan, and lots of lovely preserves including glace desert limes, which are proving a hit with Matt on his cheese board (GRR)....

We also got a set of these little spikes that you stick in roasts, which pop up when the roast is cooked to safety. One of my close friends is emetophobic but LOVES roast dinners, and I thought they might help reassure her when things are cooked enough to kill all the nasties.

I love Lakeland. Lakeland rawks. :D

[cnc]

so I don't have to bother with baking beans, which would frankly just turn into an inconvenient Maliika-toyI reckon Maliika, is more likely to be scared of the beans, than actually play with them!!

a new omelette pan for me
Mmmm food!!
a muffin pan,
See above!!

Lakeland is fun, and quite useful, especially for buying storage for leftovers, the joys of having a Lakeland in the city centre :)

[Kamagrian]

I reckon Maliika, is more likely to be scared of the beans, than actually play with them!!Ahh, you haven't met the New And Improved Malicat! She's really come out of her shell since your visit, and now keeps us awake playing all night. :lol2: She also has a good line in attention-getting headbutts.

[cnc]

Well I'll have to come and visit again!! I was obviously a good influence on her :)

[matt]

we expect reviews and critiques of the pans and trays. haven't made the donuts yet but will do soon. don't eat that many cakes so don't feel the urge to make them for myself.:( this from the person who'd eat a whole lardy cake to himself in the past:jawdrop:

[cnc]

I'm more than happy to taste test products :)

[Copper]

I made the vegan orange cake yesterday I topped it off with some glace icing flavoured with orange juice. It is a very sticky yummy cake. I have made a mental note to leave it in the tin to cool, I turned it out onto a cooling wire tray - not a good idea.

[Kamagrian]

I made the vegan orange cake yesterday I topped it off with some glace icing flavoured with orange juice. It is a very sticky yummy cake. I have made a mental note to leave it in the tin to cool, I turned it out onto a cooling wire tray - not a good idea.Oh dear! I didn't try that, so couldn't warn you about it. Did it turn into so many crumbly bits? :lol2:

Really glad you liked it, as it proves it's not just me! I thought it was great stuff.

[Copper]

The cake tried to fall through the wires :( I did manage to rescue it though.

[PinkyPrincess]

I had no idea there was a difference between baking powder and bicarb of soda?!
Can you get gluten free bicarb of soda? I have been using gluten free baking powder and most of my cake and muffin attempts have been vile!

[PinkyPrincess]

I got one of those ring donut baking trays from Lakeland. Sounded like a good idea at the time, used it once! I've got no staying power lol.

How much is an American cup in something I can understand?
Also do you think I can change the vegetable oil for Pure spread, and do you definitely need the vinegar because it's got yeast in...?

[Pam]

I had no idea there was a difference between baking powder and bicarb of soda?!
Can you get gluten free bicarb of soda? I have been using gluten free baking powder and most of my cake and muffin attempts have been vile!

My tub of Supercook bicarb says it is gluten free. Baking powder is bicarb plus cream of tartar. Most baking recipes use baking powder rather than bicarb so I'm surprised that you have had poor results with baking powder - maybe it is the flour that is causing a problem rather than baking powder.

Health food shops and supermarket free from aisles sell gluten free baking powder by the way.

[PinkyPrincess]

Thanks Pam. It's all a bit confusing on the baking front, but I'm trying some different main courses and adapting much better now.
Poor results is an understatement - my 'muffins' were ROCK solid and dry as a bone, I could have used them to throw and people when they make me mad lol.

[cnc]

my 'muffins' were ROCK solid and dry as a bone, I could have used them to throw and people when they make me mad lol.

Fancy sending some of them this way?! I have plenty of people I could quite happily throw them at :D:D

More liquid would be my suggestion.

[goose]

Finally found something to try that dont contain eggs, will be giving this a go tomorrow,

anyone tried this since it was posted??

[kibonzo]

ok so four years later the link no longer works :-(
and it sounds so yummy!
If anyone has a current link for it or would be willing to post it on the recipes [must confess I haven't checked yet :unsure: just drooled over your reports] it would be much appreciated.

Thanks you!
x

[Copper]

I am amazed that I actually found this recipe which I printed out. I will type it in the recipes section.

[Kamagrian]

I just got the email notification that this recipe wasn't linking anymore, so I came here to correct it - only to find someone else already had. :-)

Must make some of this again. First time I've visited Dairyfree in years! xx

[Copper]

I have found a better site for converting American cups of flour etc into something useful. I made the cake again today and it is still not right :(

I have looked at it as a scientist and the cake has not risen as much as it should. I have concluded that the salt, bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar quantities are not correct.

I have found yet another site where I could convert the American spoon measures into something more helpful. If they are correct then I did not add enough, bicarbonate, vinegar and salt.

I will have to try again, maybe next week.