01 -
Preheat the oven to 175°C. Grease a standard cake pan with butter or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 -
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, approximately 3–5 minutes.
03 -
Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in orange juice and vanilla extract, blending until just combined.
04 -
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift if necessary to remove lumps and ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
05 -
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to preserve a light texture.
06 -
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
07 -
While the cake cools, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and orange zest until stiff peaks form.
08 -
Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the whipped orange cream topping evenly over the surface.