Sunshine Vanilla Cake

1.Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

2.In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3.Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.

4.In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

5.Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

6.Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

7.Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

8.While the cake is baking, prepare the orange syrup by combining 1/2 cup of orange juice and 1/4 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture thickens slightly. Set aside to cool.

9.For the candied orange slices, combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange slices and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the slices are translucent. Remove from the syrup and let them cool on a wire rack.

10.Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

11.Once the cake is cool, drizzle the orange syrup evenly over the top, allowing it to soak into the cake.

12.Garnish the cake with the candied orange slices before serving.