Little Portuguese Orange Cakes


Even better than all of my olive oil cakes are these little Portuguese Orange Cakes, also know as
"Bolinhos de Laranja".

They are the perfect winter dessert, made easily in a muffin tin (sans liner).

I brought them to a party and everyone went crazy. They stay super moist and are perfect for breakfast the next day, if you have any leftover.

I got the recipe from my friend Paula at My Portuguese Kitchen.
Paula is an AMAZING cook, and I have tasted her food first hand! We met in NYC last summer.

You will need 2 muffin tins, as they make 24 little cakes.


Portuguese Orange Cakes "Bolinhos de Laranja" (makes 24 little cakes)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
grated zest of 2 oranges
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks)
1 teaspoon vanilla
sanding sugar (also known as pearl sugar, not easy to find, so use turbinado sugar for the top)

Spray 2 muffin tins (24 cups) with non-stick cooking spray or butter.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, zest, sugar orange juice and melted butter with the vanilla.

Slowly add in the dry ingredients to make a wet batter.

Pour the batter 3/4 the way up in the tin (they will not puff up, the tops will stay flat).

Sprinkle with the pearl sugar and bake 14-16 minutes, until edges are crispy brown.

Let rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then run a knife around edges and transfer to a cooling rack.


SO GOOD!

Comments

lisa is cooking said…
I had an apple for breakfast, and now I wish I had one of these little cakes instead! They look irresistible.
Ciao Chow Linda said…
They do look moist Stacey, and I love the crisp edges too. Must make.
Anonymous said…
So easy, and they look/sound so good! I'm even thinking your could mix it up and get wild w/winter citrus produce - using up any fruit you have on hand to juice & zest. Ms. Snacks, what would you think about going 1/2 butter & 1/2 evo? Worth a shot?
Portia825 said…
Could all olive oil work? We need dairy-free here.
Stacey Snacks said…
Anonymous and Portia,

I have a few GREAT olive oil cakes on my site, I would stick to making them instead of messing with the butter in this recipe (since it's not my recipe, I can't answer).

Here is my favorite orange olive oil cake, as good as these little beauties.....

http://www.staceysnacksonline.com/2013/01/best-almond-olive-oil-cake.html
Beth said…
Orange must be the flavour of the season, as I'm seeing orange recipes everywhere! I'd love to try one of these cakes.
these were so wonderful! Unfortunately, Monet the Great Dane stole all but two. guess I have to bake them again....
Maybe one day I'll be able to eat cake again... Still trying to be good, but I almost caved!