Orange Vanilla Sponge Cake

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup castor sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Zest of one orange

Icing

• 200g plain medium fat cream cheese
• 30g butter
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest

Steps

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees and grease and/or line 2 round cake pans with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, add together the sifted flour, baking powder, salt, castor sugar and orange zest. Rub the sugar and orange zest together with your fingers to help release the oils. Whisk all dry ingredients until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.

Be careful not to overmix.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven at 180 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, you can frost or decorate the cake as desired. Enjoy your delicious orange sponge cake!