Orange Cakes Recipe

Orange cakes are a delicious and refreshing treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their citrusy flavor and moist texture, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. In this recipe, we will use a combination of fresh oranges and basic baking ingredients to create a delightful dessert for you and your loved ones to enjoy.

Fun fact: Orange cakes have been enjoyed for centuries, dating back to ancient Rome where they were made with oranges brought from India. The popularity of oranges spread throughout Europe in the 15th century, and they became a staple ingredient in many desserts, including cakes.

Now, let's get started with the recipe:

Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of shortening
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup of milk
- 1-3/4 cups of flour
- 3 teaspoons of Dr. Price's Baking Powder
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of raisins
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar or icing for decoration

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease individual cake tins.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening until smooth and creamy.

3. Gradually add the sugar to the shortening and continue to mix until well combined.

4. Add the beaten egg and milk slowly, mixing well after each addition.

5. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

6. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.

7. In another bowl, wash the raisins and drain them well. Lightly flour the raisins to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cakes during baking.

8. Gently fold the floured raisins into the cake batter.

9. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor of the orange cakes.

10. Spoon a small amount of the mixture into each greased cake tin, filling them about two-thirds full.

11. Place the tins in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

12. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the tins for a few minutes before transferring them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

13. Once the cakes have cooled, you have the option to sprinkle them with powdered sugar or cover them with icing for extra sweetness and decoration.

Now, your delightful orange cakes are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee, or even as a dessert after a delicious meal. The citrusy flavor and moist texture of these cakes are sure to impress your family and friends.

Variations:
- For a tangier flavor, add the zest of one orange to the cake batter.
- Instead of raisins, you can experiment with other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped apricots.
- To make a glaze for the cakes, mix powdered sugar with freshly squeezed orange juice until you achieve a desired consistency.

Similar recipe dishes:
If you enjoy the flavors of citrus in your desserts, you might also like to try lemon cakes or grapefruit cakes. These cakes offer their own unique flavors and can be made using a similar basic cake recipe with the respective citrus fruit as the star ingredient. Experiment with different combinations of citrus fruits to find your favorite citrus-infused treat.

So go ahead and enjoy the delightful taste of these orange cakes. Transport yourself to a sunny citrus grove with every bite and savor the sweet and tangy flavors that this recipe offers. Happy baking!