In Grim Times, BAKE! by Rolynn Anderson

When the world goes haywire, I head to the kitchen and figure out what I can bake. I may not be able to design/push legislation ridding the U.S. of automatic weapons; I could be stumped how to fix a scene my editor hates…but I can follow a recipe.  The steps are simple, the process logical, the smells delightful, and the result is tangible.  Most things I make are ready to eat in an hour.  The product instantly makes my husband, guests and myself happy; I am a heroine in my own home.

We have a series of house guests showing up the next two weeks, so I have a good excuse to bake. Since my orange tree is full of fruit, I’ve juiced some for orange juice and baked four loaves of orange pound cake. This cake recipe is a keeper.  A slice of it, slightly warmed along with some ice cream or whipped cream…scrumptious!

So here you go, friends, an easy way to show people you’ve finished something…and in these grim times, a way to make them smile.

http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/barefoot-contessas-orange-pound-cake-144654 Barefoot Contessa’s Orange Pound Cake.  Lots of orange zest and juice, four eggs, and buttermilk make this cake especially good.  I like the orange juice syrup drizzled over the still-warm top, as well. Makes two loaves…freezes nicely.

READY IN:  1hr 5mins
YIELD:  2 loaves	UNITS:  US

INGREDIENTS

·       ¹⁄₂lb  unsalted butter, at room temperature

·       2 ¹⁄₂cups  granulated sugar, divided

·       4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

·       ¹⁄₃cup grated orange zest (6 oranges)

·       3 cups  all-purpose flour

·       ¹⁄₂teaspoon  baking powder

·       ¹⁄₂teaspoon  baking soda

·       1 teaspoon  kosher salt

·       ³⁄₄cup freshly squeezed orange juice, divided

·       ³⁄₄cup  buttermilk, at room temperature

·       1 teaspoon  pure vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Butter and flour 2 loaf pans.
3. Cream butter and 2 cups of sugar in a bowl.
4. Mix in eggs, one at a time; add zest.
5. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.
6. In another bowl mix 1/4 cup orange juice, buttermilk and vanilla.
7. Add flour and buttermilk mixture aternately to the batter, beginning and ending with flour.
8. Divide between 2 pans and smooth the tops.
9. Bake for 45 minutes or until tester comes out clean.
10. Cool for 10 minutes.
11. Make syrup while cake is baking.
12. Syrup consists of remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup orange juice.
13. Cook these two together over low heat till the sugar is desolved.
14. Spoon over cakes and then allow them to cool completely.

Do you have a comfort food you like to cook or bake to soothe yourself and your family? Here's some comfort reading to go with your orange cake! http://a.co/bQdl7jp

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