Orange and Raspberry Loaf Cake

Sometimes we just need a lovely easy orange cake with raspberries.

This cake is not difficult; just tasty, delightful, easy to make, and tastes like a happy citrus dream.

(So easy, a child could do it *wink wink to all you parents with kids saying they are board right now*)

Makes: 1 long loaf (I used a bread loaf pan)

Takes about: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Difficulty: 1 out of 5 - a responsible child could do it!

Prep:

Butter a loaf pan well and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C))

Ingredients:

- Loaf

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

zest from 1 orange

115 grams unsalted butter - melted and cooled

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup - 3/4 cup fresh raspberries

- Glaze

The juice from 1 orange

1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions:

- Step 1 - Mixing the Eggs and Sugar

In a large bowl, whisk (a hand whisk, not an electric mixer) together 3/4 cup of sugar and 2 eggs until it is very light in color.

It should be very light in color and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

- Step 2 - Add Remaining Liquid

To your eggs, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice, the zest from 1 orange, and 115 grams of your melted and cooled butter.

Make sure the butter is cool to the touch because if not, it could possible cook your eggs and you don't want that.

- Step 3 - Mix Your Dried Ingredients

In a medium sized bowl, mix together your 2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

- Step 4 - Combine Dry Ingredients and Wet Ingredients

Using a spatula, add a third of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until it is almost combined.

Then add the next third and mix until almost combined.

And then add the last third and mix until all the flour has been Incorporated.

- Step 5 - Fill the Loaf Pan

Grab your pre-oiled pan and spoon in half of your batter.

On top of that batter, add your raspberries - add as many as you like!

Spoon the second half of your batter onto the raspberries and then smooth it out with your spatula.

- Step 6 - Bake!

Bake the loaf for about 45-60 minutes or until it a toothpick comes out clean, then let the loaf rest on a cooling rack, keeping the loaf in the pan, until the loaf is completely cooled.

- Step 7 - Glaze (optional)

Heat the juice from 1 orange and 1/2 tablespoon of powdered sugar on the stove until warm.

Once warmed, poke a few holes into the top of the cake with a toothpick and then spoon about 6-7 spoonfuls of juice over the top.

Wait a about 30 seconds, flip the loaf out of the pan, and enjoy!