Orange Zest Buttermilk Cake Loaves

These super tasty loaves are part of the Christmas Goodies Countdown (day 18/number 8) and would make great homemade gifts...if you don't eat them up first! The original recipe calls for dusting them with powdered sugar at the end; I omitted this because the cakes are really great as is and didn't feel the need to add on sugar. If you choose to do so, only add just before serving.

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://youtu.be/87LttllafvE

Link to original recipe: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/orange-scented-buttermilk-cake-loaves

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

358g (3 1/4 c.) cake flour

1 T. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 sticks (1 c.) unsalted butter, softened

2 c. sugar

1/2 T. grated orange zest

4 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 c. sour cream, room temperature

1/2 T. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. buttermilk, room temperature

optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 3 loaf pans (8"x4" size, or close to it--I used 8.7"x4.5" disposables) with non-stick cooking spray, then dust with flour (can use cake flour or all-purpose). Arrange the 3 pans on a baking sheet.

2. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon into a medium bowl, then set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, and orange zest, until creamed and fluffy (around 3-4 min).

4. Mix in eggs one at a time, beating well between additions.

5. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla.

6. With mixer on low speed, add the reserved dry mixture and buttermilk in partial amounts (around a third), starting and ending with dry mixture. Mix only until just blended.

7. Distribute batter among the 3 loaf pans as evenly as possible. Smooth tops of each, then gently tap once or twice to release extra air bubbles. Transfer to oven and bake for 45-50 min (toothpick inserted should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs).

8. After removing from oven, let loaves cool in pans for 20 min on a cooling rack, then turn them out from pans, set them right side up, and cool the rest of the way. If desired, dust with powdered sugar just before serving. Slice up and enjoy!