Tuesdays with Dorie: Orange Spice Cake from Baking with Dorie

I've been a huge fan of Tuesdays with Dorie (TWD) posts for several years.  You could say that I'm a long time reader, first time poster.

Last week, I decided to give it a go and make the Orange Spice Cake from Baking with Dorie for December.  This is a very easy recipe, perfect for the busy holiday season.  It went together quickly and easily in one bowl.  After reading others' posts (thank you all!), I decided to make a few tweaks to the recipe.  For the spices, I used 1/2 t. ginger, 1/2 t. cinnamon, plus a few pinches each of ground cloves and allspice.  As others mentioned, the spices are pleasantly subtle.  I might consider a bit more cinnamon the next time I make this.  The orange zest added a lovely flavor and fragrance.  

I realized when making this cake that I have two very different loaf pans.  I chose to use one that is wider and more shallow.  Based on my pan choice, I took the cake out of the oven at 62 minutes versus the recommended 70-75 minutes.  I probably should have taken it out even sooner because the bottom was relatively dark.

I'm not much of a marmalade fan so I followed another baker's lead and used a simple icing sugar glaze.  As with Dorie's marmalade glaze, the coating helped keep the cake fresh.  We ate the last piece six days after I baked the cake and it was still moist.  The cake has a nice, bouncy texture like a classic pound cake.  My family really enjoyed it and I will definitely make it again in the future.

I recommend that everyone pick up a copy of Dorie's book, Baking with Dorie, and make this cake.  Post your results on Tuesdays with Dorie.

Amishland Retreat January 2024

 I had a great time at the retreat in January.  It's always rejuvenating to spend time with the Divas, sewing and laughing.

I spent most of my time assembling tops from blocks that I made prior to this trip, mostly at previous retreats.

Ombre Gems by V & Co.

Bonnie Hunter's 2022 Leader and Ender Challenge from batik scraps

Modern Quilt Studio's Modern Mystery Quiltalong Summer Camp 2023

A few of us did a Jelly Roll race.  Jan was the winner, far and away.  I made one from novelty strips and scraps.  This will likely get cut into pieces for one or more charity quilts.

I also made progress on sewoffs from the Scrap Quilts Knockoff quilt I've been working on.  I hope to have those blocks ready to assemble at the next retreat.

The weather was mostly gray, foggy and rainy.  The rain had turned to snow as Jan dropped me off at the airport.  I got a quick video of the snow for Brady.  Until next time ...