Mysterious Orange Cake
A moist and flavorful orange cake with a hint of spice, featuring a unique tomato soup base and orange marmalade glaze, perfect for special occasions or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened ⓘ
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar ⓘ
- 2 large eggs ⓘ
- 1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed tomato soup
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 4 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger ⓘ
- 1/4 cup orange marmalade ⓘ
- 1 cup confectioners sugar ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat softened butter or margarine, granulated sugar, eggs, condensed tomato soup, 1/4 cup water, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and ginger for about 3 minutes until well blended, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of each layer comes out clean.
- Cool the layers in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Remove the layers from the pans and allow to cool completely on the wire rack.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, ensure your butter is well softened before creaming with sugar. If you don’t have orange marmalade, apricot preserves can be a good substitute. Consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor. This cake is unique because of the tomato soup, which adds moisture and a subtle flavor. It’s a great conversation starter and pairs nicely with a light frosting.
Serving Suggestions
This Mysterious Orange Cake is delicious on its own but can be enhanced with a drizzle of Four Minute Frosting or a dusting of confectioners' sugar for added sweetness. Serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It’s also a fantastic dessert after a hearty meal like Aunt Hattie'S Scalloped Potatoes.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week. If you want to reheat, place a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm it slightly. This cake is delightful at room temperature or slightly warmed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mysterious Orange Cake contains roughly 394 calories, with 4g protein, 46g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 849mg per serving (37% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of condensed tomato soup?
Using fresh tomatoes is not recommended due to the lack of necessary consistency and flavor. Condensed tomato soup provides a unique moisture and taste profile that is essential to this cake’s structure. Sticking to the recipe ensures the best results.
What can I do if my cake layers are domed?
If your cake layers rise too much and form a dome, simply level them off with a serrated knife once they have cooled. This ensures even layers for stacking and a lovely presentation. Additionally, check your oven temperature with a thermometer to ensure it's not too high.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make this cake gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well. The texture may vary slightly, but the unique flavors will still shine through, making it a delightful treat for gluten-sensitive individuals.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).