Orange Anise Seed Squares

Submitted by COOKGIRl

"I've had this recipe in my file for a long time. Source unknown. The recipe has morphed over the years but is for the most part close to the original. Two topping suggestions are given, one original and the other a fairly recent update. This would be perfect served as a dessert for a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern themed meal."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 1 cake
• Serves: 9

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened or 1/2 cup butter substitute
• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1⁄4 cups unbleached flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2⁄3 cup milk (read *NOTE)
• 1⁄3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 3⁄4 tablespoon anise seed, crushed lightly to release flavor
• 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

• Topping Number One

• 1⁄2 cup orange marmalade

• Topping Number Two

• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon orange blossom water

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. *NOTE: The orange juice is my addition. You can add any proportion of milk and orange juice as long as the liquid equals 1 cup.
3. Topping Number Two: To make the simple syrup, bring the water and sugar to the boil in a small saucepan. Boil for 2 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the orange blossom water. Set aside.
4. Cake: Grease and flour an 8" square baking pan.
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy.
6. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, milk, orange juice, anise seeds and nutmeg. Beat on low speeds just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Next, beat on medium speed until fluffy and blended, about another minute.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.
8. Remove from oven and while still cake is still hot spread the orange marmalade on top for Topping Number One. For Topping Number Two, poke holes in the top of the cake all over with a toothpick. Pour the simple syrup over the top.
9. Cut into squares. Delicious with coffee!

Reviews

[Annacia]

Yummy cake! I used 50/50 skim milk and orange juice but I think I'd go all o.j. because even half and half the orange flavor is muted a good bit. I think that it's a small bit over sweet for me but DH says it's perfect. Super easy to make and it bakes light and fluffy. I chose the marmalade but didn't have any orange so it was topped with ginger marmalade. Orange, anise and ginger, it works for me :D

 

[UmmBinat]

Quite delicious especially with the recommended coffee. DD1 (4 years old) says she likes these a lot as well. I made ours gluten free with a white rice flour/brown rice flour/tapioca starch & guar gum mixture (1 tsp of the gum, half the amount of starch to flours). I used sweet butter (unsalted), baking soda and organic apple cider vinegar in place of the baking powder, the vinegar being added at the last minute to be corn free, sea salt, Carnation evaporated milk, allspice in place of nutmeg to be intoxicant free, topping #2, plus the rest of the ingredients. I may make this again. Made for JANUARY 2012 NA*ME TAG!