Orange Almond Semolina Cake

INGREDIENTS:

150ml (1/2 cup + 2 tbsp) orange juice 

160g (1 cup) fine semolina flour

100g (3/4 cup) plain flour

30g (1/4 cup) almond flour/meal 

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

226g (1 cup) unsalted butter

180g (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp) fine sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 orange zest

1 tbsp orange juice

Cake top:

40g (1/2 cup) almond flakes

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Grate and squeeze the orange zest and juice respectively. Set aside.

2. Soak the semolina flour and let it rest for about 30min or while you are preparing the other ingredients.

3. Sift all the dry ingredients: plain flour, almond flour, baking powder and salt then in a large bowl, add butter (softened) and sugar. Mix them until creamy, fluffy and pale. Add the eggs, one at a time and mix until combined.

4. Add in the soaked semolina flour. It's normal that the semolina and orange mixture is thick. Using an electric mixer. Mix until combined.

5. Add the sifted dry ingredients in 2 batches, alternate with the 1 tbsp of orange juice. Use a spatula to fold in the dry ingredients, as we do not want to over mix.

6. Transfer the batter to a round or square prepared baking pan, greased and lined with parchment paper then use an offset spatula to spread the surface evenly.

7. Spread and sprinkle the almond flakes covering the top of the cake and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F for about 50-55min or until the inserted skewer comes out clean.

8. Let the cake cool completely before cutting and serving.