Raspberry Orange Cake

GingerlyJ's Note:

I got this recipe from the food network show Giada at Home.. it is out of this world good

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 8 mins
• Cook Time: 32 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 1.0 cake

• butter , for greasing the pans
• flour , for dusting
• 1 (18 ¼ ounce) box white cake mix (recommended ( Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
• 1 large orange , zested, about 1/4 cup
• 1 1⁄3; cups no pulp orange juice
• 3 egg whites
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ cup unsalted butter , at room temperature
• 1⁄3; cup creme fraiche
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• ¼ cup raspberry jam
• water , as needed
• ¼ cup raspberry jam
• 6 ounces fresh raspberries

Directions:

1. For the cake: Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of 2 nonstick, 8-inch round, baking pans. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the cake mix and orange zest. Mix for 20 seconds at low speed until the zest is incorporated. Add the orange juice, egg whites, and vegetable oil. Blend at low speed for 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula, as needed. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake until golden and a cake tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 to 32 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool the pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn the cakes out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. For the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter and creme fraiche at high speed until smooth, about 10 seconds. With the machine running at medium-low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar until incorporated. Add the raspberry jam and increase the speed to high. Beat until the frosting is smooth and spreadable, adding water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed.
4. To assemble the cake: Arrange 1 cake layer, flat side up, on a cake stand. Using a spatula, spread a thin layer of frosting on top leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spread 1/4 cup of raspberry jam on top of the frosting. Arrange the other cake layer on top. Using a spatula, frost the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with fresh raspberries. Cut the cake into wedges with a slightly wet knife and serve.
5. Store the cake in a plastic container in the refrigerator. Allow the refrigerated cake to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Reviews

[NatesGrammyT]

I watched Giada on the food network make this cake and decided I would do a "trial run" before serving it at a dinner party. The creme fraiche is hard to find. I substituted fat free sour cream. I also added 1/4 tsp. orange liquer to the cake mix and 1/4 tsp. orange liquer to the frosting. I also used a Duncan Hines orange cake mix instead of a white cake mix. (If you like citrus, it bumps it up a notch.) I also like raspberries, so I created a raspberry flower out of 12 oz. of strawberries for the top of the cake. I am thinking to add some toasted slivered almonds to the sides of the iced cake and some mint sprigs (just before serving.)

[Chef #1469269]

= RAVE REVIEW! = This is the first post or review of any kind that I've ever taken the time to write until now. My sister made this for Thanksgiving dinner and it's the most wonderfully moist cake ever! The combination of the raspberries and oranges is so different (and delicious) than any type of dessert I've eaten before. It's now my very favorite cake and I can't say enough good things about it. (It deserves more than five stars - yes, it's that good.) If anyone reading this is wondering whether or not to try this recipe, my suggestion is to so do. I'm certain you won't be disappointed.