Bolo de Bruxa - Portuguese Witch Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon orange zest 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 11g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 32g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the orange zest and vanilla extract.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt.
5. 5.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. 6.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. 7.
   Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. 8.
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. 9.
   Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar.
10. 10.
    Slice and serve the Bolo de Bruxa, and enjoy its enchanting flavors!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orange zest — Make sure to use organic oranges and wash them thoroughly before zesting to avoid any unwanted chemicals or wax on the skin.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a tablespoon of orange juice to the batter.
• Serve the Bolo de Bruxa with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful twist.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can increase the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg in the recipe.
• To make the cake even more festive, decorate the top with candied orange slices or a sprinkle of edible gold dust.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Bolo de Bruxa as a standalone dessert or as a sweet ending to a Portuguese-inspired meal. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or a glass of port wine.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Bolo de Bruxa, you can dust the serving plate with powdered sugar before placing the cake on top. You can also garnish the cake with fresh orange slices or a sprig of mint for an elegant touch.