Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake

Just a Spectacular Addition to the Dessert Buffet or for when having guests over fot High Tea.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil

5 large eggs, separated

3/4 cup fresh orange juice

3 tablespoons orange zest

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Lemon-Orange Buttercream Frosting (Recipe Follows)

Garnishes: edible flowers, kumquat slices

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first 4 ingredients in bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Make a well in center of flour mixture; add oil, egg yolks, and orange juice. Beat at medium-high speed 3 to 4 minutes or until smooth. Stir in zest.
2. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into flour mixture. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
3. Bake at 350° for 17 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 1 hour).
4. Spread Lemon-Orange Buttercream Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Lemon-Orange Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

3 tablespoons orange zest

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1 (32-oz.) package powdered sugar

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

5 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 tablespoon additional fresh orange juice

Preparation:

Beat butter, orange zest, and lemon zest at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 to 2 minutes or until creamy; gradually add powdered sugar alternately with lemon juice and 5 Tbsp. fresh orange juice, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. Add up to 1 Tbsp. additional fresh orange juice, 1 tsp. at a time, until desired consistency is reached.