LAYERED ORANGE SPONGE CAKE

Layered Orange Sponge Cake image

This recipe's been handed down in my family for 40 years, from a relative who was a French baker. It's light, delicate and delicious, just like a great cake should be. -Joyce Speerbrecher, Grafton, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

8 large eggs, separated
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2/3 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
FROSTING:
1-1/2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2/3 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons grated orange zest
2 large eggs
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325°. Sift flour twice., In another large bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar, beating on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Beat in orange juice and orange zest. Fold in flour., Add salt and cream of tartar to egg whites; with clean beaters, beat on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 2/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites., Gently transfer to an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Bake on lowest oven rack 45-55 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan; cool cake in pan, about 1-1/2 hours., Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, mix sugar and flour. Whisk in orange juice and orange zest. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Immediately transfer to a clean bowl. Cool 30 minutes. Press plastic wrap onto surface of orange mixture; refrigerate until cold., In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form; fold into orange mixture. Run a knife around sides and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate. Using a long serrated knife, cut cake horizontally into 3 layers. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 518 calories, Fat 26g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 231mg cholesterol, Sodium 172mg sodium, Carbohydrate 65g carbohydrate (50g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein.