Adding seeds to cakes is not an uncommon thing; think poppy seeds. But most other seeds are reserved for breads.
Seed cakes were quite popular many years ago and it is a pity that they have fallen out of favour. As small as they are, many seeds pack quite a flavour punch and it is time to bring back these forgotten ingredients back into the cake bowl
Caraway seeds are a very interesting ingredient. There is a freshness and earthiness to these seeds and they provide a distinct and very pleasant taste to this soft and light cake.
The orange curd buttercream is simply a matter of adding some orange curd (vegan orange curd) into a buttercream but in the absence of orange curd, one can simply add the zest of one orange and a tablespoon of fresh orange juice to a simple buttercream recipe.
Almost any recipe can be turned into cupcakes and this recipe is no exception. This recipe makes at least 15-18 soft and fluffy cupcakes or one decent sized square cake (23 cm pan), ideal for cutting up into squares.
Ingredients for Cupcakes/Cake (15-18 cupcakes)
- 185 g butter
- 1 c caster sugar
- 2 tsp lemon or orange zest
- 2 c self-raising flour
- 1 TB ground almonds
- 1 tsp almond essence
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 milk
- 1 TB caraway seeds
Method to make Cake/Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius.
- For cupcakes, line 2 cupcake pans with liners.
- For cake squares, grease and line a 23 cm square pan.
- Measure out all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
- Using an electric beater or stand mixer, beat mixture till pale, smooth and creamy. (3-5 minutes)
- Pour into greased and lined pan or fill each cupcake liner about two thirds full.
- Bake cupcakes for 15 -20 minutes and square cake for 30-35 minutes, till cake/s are well risen, golden brown and springy to the touch.
- Cool cake/s for about five minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to completely cool.
- Decorate cake/s with orange curd buttercream.
- Add oven-dried oranges.
Orange Curd Buttercream
- 150 g butter
- 1/4 c orange curd (see vegan orange curd)
- 2 c sifted icing sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Beat butter with an electric beater till smooth and creamy.
- Add orange curd and beat till pale and fluffy.
- Add sifted icing sugar and salt and beat till smooth and fluffy.
- Pipe or spread on cakes
