CRAISIN - ORANGE SQUARECAKES ...a step-by-step tutorial.

If you are following me on facebook, you would have read some status messages of mine as 'thinking...' :) I was thinking of doing something which I have never done on my blog before. I always wanted to do a step- by- step tutorial of baking a cake and it never materialised.

So while this thought was doing it's rounds in my mind, Bharathy prompted me into it :) Thank you Bharathy for your encouragement! I think I should continue doing this...or will get boring? I don't know!You tell me!

Should I? Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I? Or maybe just for cakes... :) I hope it does not turn out to be boring!

People, I have to warn you, this is going to be a real- long picture laden post. If you feel I should discontinue blogging this way for cakes, please do let me know!!

Welcome to my kitchen...it is bright enough for me but very shadow-ey for my cam ;) And yes, I would like to introduce to you all ,my new friend, Reddie, my beautiful KA!

Dump in one stick (113g) of regular unsalted butter.

Add 1 cup of sugar. I used granulated and here in US, the granules are very tiny so it mixes well when creamed. If you are living in India, please use powdered sugar of the same measure.

Aaaaannnnndd cream it!

Add in one cup of regular all purpose flour.

To that, you need to add 2 tsp of baking powder.

and 1/2 a tsp of salt. 

Aaaannnndddd MIX! Be ready for a flour storm ;)

Add in 1/2 cup of milk. I used fat-free skim milk. Hey! now do not ever think that I drink that fat-free stuff...nope, I used it cos that's what I had on hand! I feel that milk has a wierd smell and Jobin thinks otherwise...so yeah! he drinks that :)

Go on! Beat it!

Now, add in another 1 cup of regular all purpose flour

 aaannnnndd beat!

Now is the time to add those yummylicious ingredients! Add in 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. I used Mandarin oranges.

Add in the yummilicious ingredient #2. 1 tsp of freshly grated orange rind.

Aaaaaannnnnddd beat it till fluffy for about 30-40 secs.

Uh-oh! I forgot to add in the eggies! Okay, big deal! I just cracked and added them in the end. I am showing you the cracked shells, because I am not too sure whether you can see the small babies behind the paddle.

And give it a one last good mix for 1 minute. The batter is dreamy and thick!

Now I have the oven pre-heating at 350 deg F (180 deg.C) for 10 mins.

There it goes, I fill in the cake tin, 1 1/2 tbsp at a time. Look how fluffy the batter is!! And I apologise for all the shadow-ey pics. It's either the 'big' me or it's the kitchen! ;)

I am all set! I divided them into 2 halves. 6 with craisins (just added them after I filled in the tray) and 6 plain.

Pop it into the oven and ...

bake for 15 mins!

CRAISIN-ORANGE CUPCAKES
Recipe source: Unknown

Ingredients:
Flour- 2 cups
Sugar- 1 cup, powdered
Unsalted butter- 1/2 cup /1 stick/113 g
Eggs-2
Milk-1/2 c
Orange juice-1/2 c
Orange rind-1 tsp
Craisins- 4 tbsp (You can substitute it with raisins too!)
Baking powder- 2 tsp
Salt-1/2 tsp (If using salted butter, omit salt)

Method:

• Prepare the baking tin.
• Mix flour , baking powder and salt and keep aside. I must admit, I never do this! I just dump it all in!
• Cream butter +sugar well.
• Add in eggs and beat well. ( I happily missed this step...was clicking pics, you see! ;)
• On low speed , beat in flour mix + milk alternately in 3 lots.
• Add in the orange juice and orange rind and give it a final mix.
• Pour into tins and bake for till done. It took 15 mins for me. It purely depends on your oven.Do a skewer test to find out if it's done.
• Let it cool completely on a wire rack.

I had some batter left behind, and I was in no mood to make squarecakes again. So I dumped it all into my springform pan and baked it!

Verdict:
I almost fainted with it's wonderful texture and taste. It was delicious!
We had some friends over for tea and I served them these squarecakes. And boy! I didn't know it would be so much in demand! They loved it! And I packed some for them ...for their breakfast the next day ;)