She Strengthens

Elevate Your Dessert Game with These Decadent Orange-Spiced Cakes

Imagine serving your guests a dessert so divine, it becomes the star of the show. These individual orange-spiced cakes, drizzled with a nutty honey-caramel and topped with a scoop of ice cream, are sure to impress.

A Glimpse into the Recipe

This recipe yields 6 servings and takes approximately 50 minutes to prepare, plus 35 minutes of baking time. With a medium level of difficulty, it’s perfect for those looking to challenge their baking skills.

The Caramel Component

To create the caramel, preheat your oven to 325°F and prepare 6 ramekins by coating them with butter. Divide toasted almonds among the ramekins, then set aside. In a separate bowl, combine diced Granny Smith apple with lemon juice and set aside. In a medium frying pan, melt butter over medium-high heat until foaming, then add sugar, honey, and salt. Cook until the mixture turns a light caramel color, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and carefully pour about 2 tablespoons of the caramel into each ramekin. Divide the apple pieces among the ramekins, leaving any juice behind.

The Cake Component

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, orange zest, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter until light and fluffy, then add sugar and vanilla. Beat until incorporated and fluffy, then add eggs one at a time. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then return to low speed and add milk. Mix until just incorporated, then add the reserved flour mixture. Mix until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Evenly spoon the batter over the apples and smooth the tops.

Baking and Serving

Bake the cakes for approximately 35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Immediately run a knife around the perimeter of each cake, then invert onto serving plates using a dry kitchen towel. Serve warm with a scoop of Cinnamon or Vanilla Bean ice cream, if desired.

Tips and Variations

For a single, larger cake, bake in an 8-inch cake pan for 45 minutes. Consider pairing these cakes with other seasonal flavors, such as apple or pumpkin, for a unique twist.