Frazzled

I am literally all over the shop. A metaphorical shop of course, I would love to own a little business though someday… Ok, I am being tangential once more, I told you I am all over the place! 😛

Yesterday, was quite literally (FYI, I will be using literally quite a bit in this post) the first day in ages I haven’t done anything. I sat at home, I watched Fawlty Towers and I ate so much junk food my head started turning.

It was literally, the best day ever. 😀 #noregrets

But yes, I am officially frazzled. Everyday till yesterday basically, I have been out. I am not even going  to tell you about the indent this has caused in my wallet (a girl’s gotta eat!) but whether it be spontaneous movie trips or patisserie splurges, I am there.

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I need to learn how to say no but… it is WAY too much fun 😀

And now, after my day’s break, I am frazzled once more. Because tonight, it’s my used-to-be-annual movie night with my girls from high school a.k.a. as my mate so delicately put it, my stuff-yourself-with-chocolate night.

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She isn’t wrong you know, and you will see that when I post that recipe another time (hopefully sooner than it took me to post this one 😀 )

This means I need to get the food ready, I need to clean my room (much to my mother’s disgrace) and this means I need to finish off baking, and find the movies and make sure singstar works and just… in general… get myself organised!!!

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Now, I totally know I could have done that yesterday, I really do… but my bed was legit lonely…

Oh c’mon guys, don’t lift your eyebrows up at me, we have ALL been there! 😉

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Anyways, did you realise that none of this ‘frazzlement’ has anything to do with the impending holiday? Nope that is a whole other bag of frazzles. You see, well, um, it’s like this… I may or may not have put our Christmas tree up. Yes, yes, I know Christmas is on Thursday BUT I have been waiting for a time my daddy and I can put it up together.

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And classic moi, haven’t been home you know?

But I’ll remedy that asapfu. Or as-soon-as-possible… for Uru hehe

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Also, I may or may not have gotten my presents yet. BUT again, I have an excuse for being so disorganised… I was volunteering at a gift-wrapping station AND as gift wrapping stations are, I got a ton of ideas for everyone!

Transformer deluxe for my dad maybe? Perhaps a my little pony set for my mum? Or would she prefer the X-Men limited edition action figure?

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Aaah choices.. 😛

But, as you can tell, one thing I have had time to squeeze in, while sacrificing the four hour naps that are regimented into my cycle, is baking. Mais bien sur 😀

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Who am I to resist the tantalising lure of warm marmalade, dense cake and citrusy smells right? I mean, if I had scattered some cloves on top of this cake, it literally would have attracted Santa a wee bit early!

Not that I ever said no to that, I mean, it’s Santa! If I could, I would have that jolly guy over for tea everyday!

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And who am I to not fall under the smell of freshly toasted almonds that are comfortably nestled in snowy folds of whipped cream?

Wow. I need to get into foodsmut writing or something, romance authors look out! 😛

Oh dear, oh my, let me quote the White Rabbit here and mumble under my breath, ‘I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!’

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Which is why I shall leave you now dear readers to bask in the awesomeness of this delicious recipe and make yourselves hungrier, while I go untangle the christmas light chaos in my brain.

Hope you all are having a very merry holiday and are much more on top of your game than I! ❤

P.S. I know, it is icing sugar but for me, pretend it is snow? 😉

Orange Almond Cake

Adapted from: Women’s Weekly High Tea Cookbook (originally called OA Victoria Sponge, but the cake recipe is not a spongecake!)

Printable Recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 190g butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 80g caster sugar
  • 80g brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 60ml full cream milk
  • 175g self raising flour (SRF)
  • 50g almond meal
  • 300g citrus marmalade
    IMG_9396

Decor:

  • 300ml thickened cream
  • 2 tbs icing mixture (or icing sugar) + extra for dusting cake (optional)
  • 100g flaked almonds, toasted and cooled
  • Sliced oranges and mint leaves (optional)

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Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 180/160 degrees C (fan-forced). Grease a ring pan generously (I didn’t do that as you shall see!)
  2. Beat butter, sugar, vanilla essence in a large bowl till light and fluffy. Beat in the egg one at a time till mixture is smooth.
  3. Sift the almond flour and SRF together, then fold through the butter mixture, alternating with the milk.
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  4. Spoon mixture into prepared pan and smooth top.
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  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or till a skewer inserted comes out clean.
  6. Let cool for 10 minutes in pan, before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
    EEP

    EEP

    Phew..

    Phew..

  7. Meanwhile, whip the thickened cream with the icing mixture till it can hold it’s shape. In a small bowl, warm up the marmalade, rind and all.
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  8. Assemble the cake: Prick holes into the cake using a fork.
  9. Generously glaze the top with the warmed marmalade, spreading it all around and inside the hole.
  10. Spread the whipped cream along the sides of the cake (don’t worry if it is a tad messy).
  11. Press the toasted almonds into the sides till all of the whipped cream is covered.
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  12. Dust the cake with icing sugar and in the centre, arrange orange slices with mint leaves for an exotic look!

Note:

  • The icing sugar clumps on top of the cake due to the marmalade, so if you want flawless icing, do it just before serving. I personally liked the cake’s look better where some of the icing had dissolved in.

Au revoir mes cheris! I am on the clock now 😉

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81 Comments

  8. gourmetgetaway says:

    Great baking, Uru!!!

    Cheers to all the lovely stories you posted last year! Looking forward to more this year 🙂

    Happy New Year! Thank you for being part of our Blogging Friends!!!

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx

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  14. vickibensinger says:

    This cake is stunning and sounds so moist and delcious! It would be a perfect to serve at breakfast or afternoon tea. I look forward to trying it and checking out that cookbook at well. Thanks for sharing.

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  23. squishymonster says:

    Oooh, I can only imagine how moist this cake must be—I love citrus cakes and can only fantasize about the glaze soaking in and making everything so bright and delicious—I’ll be looking for Uru’s food smut books in shops soon! =)

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  26. Kumar's Kitchen says:

    oh it is so good to be frazzled with a day out,loads of chocolate treats with ones friends and then the special baking for the holidays and a day full of scrumptious junk food….we often have this frazzle-time even now when this time of the year arrives….sometimes we all need a break and enjoy doing things which are not our routine…and this gorgeous cake so beautifully decorated with toasted almond flakes gives us just another reason to bake them and enjoy a break,thanks…HAVE A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY!!! 🙂

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  27. cakelaw says:

    This time of year is crazy, isn’t it. Your orange and almond cake is so beautiful! I love the cream/almond decoration. Merry Christmas CCU.

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  28. Cher says:

    Your cake looks heavenly.
    I hope the day of rest was all that you had waited for. Fortunately, my daughter came home from university to wrap my presents and finish my tree – otherwise, I would be feeling the pain of frazzle 🙂

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  33. navane64 says:

    Gorgeous cake and I love the scent of orange in it, what surrounded with almonds. Yum all the way. Merry Christmas to you and all at home. Enjoy.

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  35. Zoe (@bake4happykids) says:

    Hi Uru,

    Transformer deluxe for your dad? A little pony set for your mum? Am I hearing something wrong here??? Maybe I’m too stereotypical!!! LOL!

    I like almond orange cake… It doesn’t have to be flawless but I know it must be flawlessly delicious!

    Enjoy your Christmas holidays and happy 2015!

    Zoe

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  36. mjskitm\ says:

    You’re way to young to start saying NO to your girlfriends!!! My girlfriends gave me some of the most fun times of my life! I would love to have that orange almond cake on my holiday table. Pretty AND delicious! Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

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  43. jama says:

    Paddington Bear would love that cake (and me too)! Nothing wrong with being a bit frazzled during the holidays. Have fun and enjoy!! Merry Everything to you and a very Happy New Year!

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  45. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says:

    Sorry, your comment could not be posted. Does that mean it thinks I’m spammy? 🙂 You’ll be ready by Christmas and I’m glad you had a day off. I need one too. Merry Christmas!

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  47. shenANNAgans says:

    Lady, you got some serious baking skills. That is one fine looking cake. 🙂
    Hope you are over the frazzles… This time of year sends everyone a bit wacky. Only a few days until all that changes. I am in Asia at the mo, so if I don’t catch you before. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a fun filled and safe New Years. Lots of hugs and loves headed your way. xox

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  60. Angie@Angie's Recipes says:

    It looks very tempting even without all the dressing up! And about going out..well, do it when you still can and WANT to…
    Have a happy holiday season!
    Angie

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  61. Three Well Beings says:

    What an absolutely beautiful cake, Uru. As busy as you are I am so impressed with your ability to prioritize such a delicious treat! I feel frazzled, too, but I have learned that it goes with this time of year and nothing I do seems to change the feeling of pressure. I’m really glad to hear that the pressure you’re under is because you are out having fun and I hope you ever change! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your very wonderful family, Urvashi! I hope yo have a wonderful Christmas Day and that the New Year brings you even more contentment and fun!

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  63. Kim@Treats & Trinkets says:

    I don’t judge. I’m a hermit. I know how lonely beds get. (And I’ve barely started putting gifts together… crud.)

    This cake looks beautiful, Uru, and I’m sure it tastes even better. Have fun at your annual stuff-yer-face-with-chocolate movie night!

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  64. thehungrymum says:

    Oh Urvashi, I hear ya! My poor credit card is taking a battering and I am lurching towards the Chrissy finishing line looking and feeling like a zombie. This cake might get me over the finish line – it looks amazing 🙂

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  70. Ramona W says:

    You are only young once and now is the time to party, enjoy and live life just for yourself. Once you get married and start having kids… well… you don’t get much of that happening. Now how can I get some of this cake happening in my life without having to actually go into the kitchen. 🙂

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  71. A_Boleyn says:

    You have to take some leisurely me time every once in a while and at this stressful time of year, and with school, you have an excuse for being frazzled. Your almond orange cake is very pretty with its collar of sliced almonds and the marmalade decoration.

    I decided to take it easy with my Christmas baking (I MAY make some gingerbread men in the next few days) but in any case, I just made a batch of toffee decorated with melted white chocolate and chopped cranberries. I may make another batch cause I have some salted almonds and red and green peppermint candy canes that are calling to me but that’s up in the air. At least I have my Christmas and New Year’s menus planned. 🙂

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you! At least you did a nice bit of christmas baking though, I got so busy I only had time for a little bit! Nice to be back to blogging though, hope your holidays went wonderfully 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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      • A_Boleyn says:

        I ended up doing a bit more baking than I thought I’d do as I made 2 dozen gingerbread men and 20 mini cheesecakes, and a pan of dinner rolls, but I held back on the Christmas and New Years day dinners so I have NO leftovers to deal with on that end.

        I’m especially pleased with the mini cheesecakes. I have a dozen stored away in the freezer that I can take out and nibble on one (or two) at a time.

        http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/212419.html

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