The weatherman was wrong and the intial forecast of clearing skies provided us with pouring rain throughout the morning. We don't use the central heat - no bail out for budget-minded people - so baking provides a win/win situation. Nothing like keeping warm and getting something good to eat.
Our faithful orange tree gave us a good harvest this year so I knew that any baking project should include oranges in some shape or form. I decided on a Sunshine Cake. Easy recipe that required the warmth of the oven and made a good room freshener. Baking cake smell beats out floral sprays any day!
Sunshine Cake
1 box yellow cake mix with pudding in the mix
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
Grated zest from two oranges
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease or use vegetable spray on two 8-inch round cake pans.
Combine all the ingredients and mix well without over beating. Pour into prepared pans and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the top springs back when gently pressed. Cool in the pans on a rack. You can frost and layer them with your favorite canned frosting or ice them with a lemon/orange glaze.
Lemon/Orange Glaze
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teasoon grated orange zest
Enough fresh lemon juice to form a spreadable icing.
