Here’s an idea for those of us looking to get a little more fruit into their diets. Sunshine Orange Cake looks freshly picked from a Florida orange grove. It even slices into sections, sort of like the real thing.
According to the website of the Sunkist Growers association, oranges contain numerous health benefits. A single navel orange provides 130 percent of your daily value of Vitamin C, and contains powerful antioxidants. Oranges are fat free and are a good source of potassium and phytochemicals. Oranges even contain pectin, which may lower blood cholesterol levels.
In the spirit of full disclosure, Sunshine Orange Cake offers none of these benefits. It does, however, contain a healthy dose of butter cream frosting, which includes a touch of Vitamin A and absolutely no carbohydrates! The white cake takes care of that. I won’t get into the cholesterol discussion. No need to cast a rain cloud over all this sunshine.
If truth be told, since the famous Watermelon Cake, I’ve been a little obsessed with the idea of making confections look like real food. I’ve brainstormed a “Hard Boiled Egg Cake,” a “Pink Grapefruit Cake” a “Granny Smith Apple Cake” and even an “Okra Cake.” It is likely an expert therapist could link this all back to an early childhood penchant for playing with my food. I prefer to believe that I have an inner-artist who must express himself through the medium of cake.
I’m currently giving some serious thought to a “Broccoli Cake” – for those of us health-minded individuals who want to have our cake and eat it.
©2007 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved
You had me hooked -- right up to the broccoli cake.... This orange cake is a hoot, though -- so realistic! And none of the acid of the real thing. Well done, TW!
ReplyDeletePlease tag this as a Retro Cake t.w! It looks fabulous. Somewhere or other Francatelli (I think?) has recipes for cakes that look like legs of ham or other meat (complete with pool of gravy). I'll find and send!
ReplyDeleteThat is SOOOO cute.
ReplyDeleteThis is an unusual cake, T.W.!
ReplyDeleteFor me, at least. :)
Lydia - don't you hate it when oranges are too acidic? I prefer this sweeter version!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet - If you find the recipe for leg of ham cake with gravy, I will make it!
Peabody - Thanks so much!
Patricia - but I thought you LOVED citrus flavors!
I do, T.W. - it's the decoration that surprised me!
ReplyDeleteYou have so outdone yourself, T.W.! This is an amazing cake, like the fact that there are no carbs in the frosting ;).
ReplyDeleteThat cake is adorable!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
ReplyDeleteHealthy~
And no seeds.
You have outdone yourself this time.
T.W., I just love the beautiful and festive cakes you make. Like your watermelon one from a while back, this just bring a smile to my face!
ReplyDeleteVeron - I try to keep my cakes as healthy as possible. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brilynn!
Sandi - maybe I should make a Fried Green Tomato Cake next?
Susan - Thanks so much! We specialize in "orange smiles!" :-)
I love your cake & the way you've decorated it. It's VERY pretty!
ReplyDeleteAnd brocoli cake? I can't wait to see how you've whipped it out!
That is so beautiful! I'm itching to know how you did it (did I miss it somewhere?)!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Valentina!
ReplyDeleteJessica, I used a half-globe pan, and sliced it into sections. Then I used icing between the slices for the "rind" and finished the whole thing with orange icing.