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Ireland: Auntie Florence's Orange Cake

Auntie Florence's Orange Cake

This beautiful, simple and surprisingly elegant cake was contributed by Irish TV chef Darina Allen as one of Ireland's two "birthday cakes" for the festivities celebrating the 1957 signing of the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Union.

Oranges have been popular in Ireland for hundreds of years, initially (in the 1600's) as a faddish snack food, then as a favorite staple in desserts. For example, Dean (Jonathan) Swift's favorite dessert was "burnt oranges" -- oranges and white wine, caramelized under the grill with brown sugar and whiskey. Oranges appear in many Irish desserts, in both fresh and dried / candied forms -- but rarely as intensively as they do here.

It would probably be understandable if residents of the Republic of Ireland pause briefly to wonder whether the "orangeness" of the cake is a sly nod to our cousins up in the "Wee North".

Click "Read more" for the recipe...

Ireland: Burnt Oranges

A favorite recipe of the famous Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels and formerly dean of Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin.

  • 4 Large oranges
  • 150 ml sweet white wine
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 8 tablespoons sugar
  • 300 ml fresh-squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons whiskey (warmed)

Carefully peel the oranges thinly. Then with a sharp knife remove as much of the pith and white skin as possible, keeping the oranges intact. Cut the thin peel into fine strips and cover with the wine.

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