Esther's Orange Marmalade Cake

Anyone who has read at least one of Jan Karon's Mitford Books is familiar with the famous Orange Marmalade Cake. Whether or not you have ever tasted, or liked if you have tasted, orange marmalade, Karon's description of the cake compels you to try it. And it is heavenly, as Cynthia might say.

After months of trying to get my sister to read the Mitford books, she did and is a fan now. Since I am the baker in the family, she wanted me to bake this cake while she was in recently. The occasion was appropriate, too: it was our mother's 84th birthday.

I think one can easily subtitute a really good store-bought pound cake and add the syrup, filling, and frosting for the desired outcome.


For the cake:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing the pans
• 3 1/4 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting the pans
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs, at room temperature
• 4 large eggs yolks, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

For the orange syrup:
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the filling:
• 1 12-ounce jar orange marmalade

For the frosting:
• 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup sour cream, chilled

1. For the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter three 9-inch round cake pans, line them with parchment paper, then lightly butter and flour the paper, shaking out any excess.

2. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Sift a second time into another bowl.

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until light in color, about 4 minutes. Add the 2 2/3 cups sugar in a steady stream with the mixer running. Beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs and yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Be sure to stop at least once to scrape down the batter from the sides of the bowl. After all the eggs have been added, continue to beat on medium speed for 2 more minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the oil and beat for 1 minute.

4. In a small bowl, combine the orange zest, vanilla and buttermilk. Using a rubber spatula, fold in half of the dry ingredients. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add half of the buttermilk mixture. Fold in the remaining dry ingredients, scrape down the sides, and add the remaining buttermilk.

5. Pour the batter among the prepared pans, smooth the surface, rap each pan on the counter to expel any air pockets or bubbles, then place in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans on racks for 20 minutes.

The orange syrup:
In a small bowl, stir together the orange juice and 1/4 cup sugar until the sugar is dissolved. While the cakes are still in the cake pans, use a toothpick or skewer to poke holes at 1/2-inch intervals in the cake layers. Spoon the syrup over each layer, allowing the syrup to be completely absorbed before adding the remainder. Let the layers cool completely in the pans.

The filling:
Heat the marmalade in a small saucepan over medium heat until just melted. Let cool for 5 minutes.

The frosting:
In a chilled mixing bowl, using the wire whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream with the 4 tablespoons sugar until stiff peaks form. Add the sour cream, a little at a time, and whisk until the mixture is a spreadable consistency.

To assemble the cake:
Invert one of the cake layers on a cake plate and carefully peel off the parchment. Spread one-third of the marmalade over the top, smoothing it into an even layer. Invert the second layer on top of the first, peel off the parchment, and spoon another third of the marmalade on top. Place the third cake layer on top, remove the parchment, and spoon the remaining marmalade onto the center of it, leaving a 1 1/4-inch border around the edges. Frost the sides and the top border with the frosting, leaving the marmalade on top of the cake exposed. Or, if you prefer, frost the entire cake first, adding the marmalade as a garnish on top. Chill for at least two hours before serving.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.