18 Southern Living Lemon Orange Chiffon Cake Recipe Cook Up Something Special!
Published on: Apr 19, 2024
Southern Living's Lemon Orange Chiffon Cake has become a beloved classic in many households. It's a light and airy dessert that combines the tangy notes of lemon and orange with the delicate sweetness of chiffon cake. In this article, we will explore the secrets behind this Southern gem and give you the recipe to recreate it in your own kitchen.
Main Ingredients: Egg Yolks, Oil, Sugar, Salt, Orange Food Coloring
If you're looking to add a twist to your beer can chicken, try incorporating some delicious orange flavors. An orange chiffon cake stuffed with orange slices and herbs, and topped with a tangy orange glaze, is the perfect complement to a beer can chicken. The citrusy notes will add a refreshing kick to your meal, making it a perfect summer dish.
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Lemon-Orange Chiffon Cake
Main Ingredients: Cake Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt, Vegetable Oil
For an extra burst of citrus, try a lemon-orange chiffon cake to pair with your beer can chicken. The combination of tart lemon and sweet orange creates a perfect balance of flavors. The light and airy texture of the chiffon cake will also make a great contrast to the hearty chicken.
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Olive Oil Orange Chiffon Cake
Main Ingredients: Eggs, All Purpose Flour, Cornstarch, Cake Flour, Sugar
If you're looking for a healthier option, try swapping out the butter in your chiffon cake for olive oil. This will create a super moist and flavorful cake that pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of beer can chicken. The addition of orange zest and juice will give it a refreshing twist.
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Orange Chiffon Cake with Orange Filling and Meringue
Main Ingredients: Granulated Sugar, Cornstarch, Salt, Grated Orange Zest
Take your orange chiffon cake to the next level by adding a layer of orange filling and a fluffy meringue topping. This will add a touch of sweetness to the cake and create an impressive dessert to serve alongside your beer can chicken. The meringue will also add a beautiful texture to the cake.
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Citrus Chiffon Cake
Main Ingredients: Orange, Lemon, Vegetable Oil, Egg Yolks, Vanilla
For those who love a variety of citrus flavors, a citrus chiffon cake is a must-try. This cake incorporates a mix of lemon, orange, and lime, creating a burst of tangy flavors. The light and airy texture of the cake makes it a perfect pairing for the rich and flavorful beer can chicken.
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Fresh Orange Chiffon Cake
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Granulated White Sugar, Baking
If you have access to fresh oranges, use them to make a fresh orange chiffon cake. The natural sweetness and juiciness of the oranges will give your cake a bright and vibrant flavor. Plus, using fresh ingredients always makes for a more delicious and satisfying dish.
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Gluten Free Citrus Chiffon Cake
Main Ingredients: White Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Tapioca Starch, Baking
For those with gluten sensitivities or dietary restrictions, you can still enjoy a tasty beer can chicken and orange chiffon cake pairing. Try making a gluten-free citrus chiffon cake using almond flour and adding a touch of orange extract for an extra punch of flavor. You won't even miss the gluten!
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Blood Orange Chiffon Cake
Main Ingredients: Blood Oranges, Sugar, Fresh Orange Juice, Canola Oil
If you're feeling adventurous, try using blood oranges in your chiffon cake. This will give your cake a beautiful deep red color and a unique, slightly tart flavor. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a stunning and delicious meal.
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Orange Chiffon Cake with Marshmallow Flowers
Main Ingredients: Eggs, All Purpose Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt
For a fun and whimsical twist, try making marshmallow flowers to decorate your orange chiffon cake. This will add a touch of sweetness and a playful element to your dessert. Plus, it's a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen.
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Nehi Orange Poke Cake
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Shortening, All Purpose Flour, Large Eggs
If you want to take your beer can chicken meal to the next level, try making a Nehi Orange Poke Cake. This classic Southern dessert is made with a boxed cake mix, orange soda, and a few other simple ingredients. The result is a moist and delicious cake that pairs perfectly with your savory chicken dish.
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Bourbon-Honey Glazed Ham
Main Ingredients: Spiral Sliced Bone In Ham, Honey, Light Brown Sugar
If you want to switch things up from chicken, try making a bourbon-honey glazed ham to serve alongside your orange chiffon cake. The combination of sweet honey, tangy orange, and smoky bourbon will create a delicious and unique flavor profile that will impress your guests.
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Pecan and Fig Spread
Main Ingredients: Fresh Figs, Sugar, Water, Pecan Pieces, Lemons, Orange
For a delicious and unexpected addition to your beer can chicken meal, try making a pecan and fig spread. This flavorful spread can be served on top of your chicken or alongside it as a dipping sauce. The nutty and sweet flavors will complement the chicken and add a touch of sophistication to your meal.
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Old English Fruit Cake
Main Ingredients: Butter, Brown Sugar, Eggs, All Purpose Flour, Ground
For a traditional British dessert to pair with your beer can chicken, try making an Old English Fruit Cake. This dense and rich cake is loaded with dried fruits and spices, making it a perfect complement to the savory flavors of the chicken. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent treat.
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Frosted Orange Chiffon Cake
Main Ingredients: Large Eggs, Sugar, Cake Flour, Baking Powder, Salt
If you have a sweet tooth, try making a frosted orange chiffon cake to serve with your beer can chicken. This cake is topped with a rich and creamy frosting made with cream cheese and orange juice, creating a luscious and indulgent dessert.
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Roast Pork Shoulder Caribbean-Style
Main Ingredients: Bone In Pork Shoulder, Onion, Garlic, Oregano, Cumin
If you want to add some Caribbean flair to your meal, try making a roast pork shoulder Caribbean-style to serve alongside your chicken and orange chiffon cake. This slow-roasted and spiced pork will add a touch of heat and a depth of flavor to your meal.
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Christmas Rum Punch
Main Ingredients: Dark Rum, Sparkling Wine, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
For a festive and refreshing drink to enjoy with your beer can chicken, try making a Christmas rum punch. This fruity and boozy cocktail is made with orange juice, rum, and a splash of cranberry juice for a beautiful red color. It's the perfect way to toast to a delicious and memorable meal.
The Secret to Making the Perfect Lemon Orange Chiffon Cake
Unlocking the Flavors of the South
For those unfamiliar with chiffon cake, it is a type of sponge cake that is known for its light and fluffy texture. The key to achieving this texture is in the separation of the egg yolks and whites. The yolks are beaten with sugar and oil to create a rich and moist base, while the whites are whipped into stiff peaks and folded in to create the airy structure of the cake.
But what sets Southern Living's Lemon Orange Chiffon Cake apart from other chiffon cakes is the addition of citrus zest and juice. The combination of lemon and orange adds a refreshing and bright flavor to the cake, making it the perfect dessert for a hot summer day.
Pro Tip: For the best flavor, use fresh citrus zest and juice rather than bottled. The fresh zest will give a more intense and vibrant flavor to the cake.
The recipe also calls for buttermilk, which adds a tangy and creamy element to the cake. Don't worry if you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.
Another key ingredient in this recipe is cake flour. Cake flour is a low protein flour that gives a more tender and delicate texture to baked goods. If you don't have cake flour, you can make a substitute by combining 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Sift the mixture 3 times to evenly distribute the cornstarch.
Pro Tip: Sifting the cake flour or substitute is crucial to avoid clumps and ensure a smooth and light texture.
Once you have all your ingredients prepared, it's time to put them together. The key to making a successful chiffon cake is to gently fold in the beaten egg whites. This helps to maintain the airiness of the batter and prevent it from deflating.
Bake the cake in a tube pan, also known as an angel food cake pan, to ensure that it bakes evenly and rises properly. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Once the cake is baked and cooled, it's time to add the finishing touch – the glaze. The glaze is a simple mixture of powdered sugar and lemon and orange juice. It adds an extra burst of citrus flavor and a beautiful glossy finish to the cake.
Now that you know the secrets behind Southern Living's Lemon Orange Chiffon Cake, it's time to try it for yourself. Impress your family and friends with this delightful and refreshing dessert that captures the essence of Southern living.