Almond and Orange Cake
with Orange Syrup

150g soft margarine
150g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 large eggs
150g caster sugar
Grated rind and juice from 1 orange
50g ground almonds

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 190C / 375F / gas 5

Place all the ingredients, except the ground almonds and orange zest, in a large bowl and mix with a hand-held electric mixer, until light and fluffy.  Using a spatula, fold in the ground almonds and orange zest.

Spoon the mixture into a lined, 20cm cake tin and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 30-35 minutes until the cake is springy to the touch.  Remove from the oven and drizzle over half of the syrup.  Leave to cool.

For the orange syrup

2 oranges, zest and juice
2 cinnamon sticks
275g granulated sugar

To make the syrup, put all the ingredients in a pan with 1 pint water and bring slowly to a simmer, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved.  Reduce the heat and simmer until syrupy, about 10 minutes.

To serve :  Drizzle the remaining syrup over the cake and serve with chilled cream.