Orange Cake

Over the years I've veganized dozens of recipes for baked goods from the Joy of Cooking, but ironically I had never tried the two cake recipes in this encyclopedic cookbook that are actually labeled vegan.

So this week, with a little time to kill and a craving for something sweet and orange-y, I decided to try my hand, finally, at the Ultra-Orange Vegan Cake.

Like almost everything I've ever made from this cookbook, it bowled me over. It was moist, delicious, perfectly sweet, and-- best of all-- it took me no more than 10 minutes to throw the ingredients together. Yes, it was that easy.

The recipe called for some orange zest. I didn't have an orange on hand to zest, so I instead threw in a couple of tablespoons of Cointreau which is, of course, an orange liqueur. Alcohol AND cake? I couldn't be happier.

As I am writing this post, CNN is running a story on the release from prison of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. To anyone that's alive and awake, animal lover or not, this man --unfortunately --needs no introduction. In 2007, he shocked the living daylights out of most of us when images of the cruelty he wreaked against dozens of innocent pitbulls splashed across our television screens.

I understand Vick's going to do some work with the Humane Society of the United States -- I presume to raise awareness about how wrong his actions were--- but here's what I really think:

I think people like Michael Vick, who's pulling this HSUS stunt just to revive his career in major league football, don't deserve a second chance and he should NEVER again be allowed to play by the NFL. Honestly, does anyone really believe this man is capable of remorse?

I've had a lot of arguments with Desi over this who tends to be more forgiving, but someone who can electrocute dogs and slam them to death because they are not good enough to engage in bloody fights with other pitbulls should not be put in a position where he can be worshipped as an idol by thousands of children.

Moving on to happier topics, here is the Vegan Orange Cake recipe. Enjoy, everyone!

Vegan Orange Cake

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup minus 2 tbsp orange juice

2 tbsp Cointreau liqueur

(It's easy to measure this if you just add the Cointreau to a cup measure first and then top it off with OJ)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tbsp vinegar

1 tsp vanilla

Mix together the wet ingredients and add to the dry. Stir until smooth.

Pour into a greased and floured cake pan, preferably lined with wax or parchment paper which makes it easier to unmold the cake.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then slide a thin knife around the edges.

Gently remove the cake from the pan and continue cooling on a rack.

This cake is best by itself, but a dollop of whipped vegan cream does no harm, if you know what I mean :)