Blog

Winter in Tuscany is sweeter with a slice of cake

Ricetta dellaTorta Toscana all'Arancia di Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort

Each season has its own traditions. In the summer you go to the beach, in the autumn you go back to school and make good proposals, in the spring you feel reborn and what about in winter?

Many people do not like winter days because they are cold, but in Tuscanywe are very lucky and there are very few days wearing gloves and hats, the climate is mild even in winter in our Tuscan hills, but this does not take away the possibility to warm up with a good slice of cake!

How to brighten up cold days

In these months the best way to pass the time and enjoy your own home, a cup of tea, a good book and a nice piece of homemade cake! We share with you a recipe that improves even the dullest days and makes winter even the most chilly: the orange cake!

Orange cake recipe

This cake is quick and easy to make, great for a snack or for breakfast (to be honest it is very good after dinner too).

It remains very soft because the orange juice is used and very fragrant due to the grated rind. If you are already looking forward to your moment of daily relax, read on for the recipe!

Ingredients

  • 200 grams of flour 00
  • 100 gr of potato starch
  • 130 grams of butter (or 100 grams of peanut oil)
  • 220 grams of cane sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 16 grams of vanilla yeast
  • 1 grated organic orange peel and juice
  • 1 pinch of salt

Method

1) first of all let’s prepare the orange. The orange should be washed well, the rind grated and the juice squeezed.

2) divide the eggs between yolk and egg white. The egg whites are whipped until stiff together with the grated zest, which can be done with the aid of the planetary mixer or with a hand whisk.

3) add the egg yolks, continuing to mix with a whisk or planetary mixer. Be careful not to disassemble the dough. You will notice that the dough triples in volume and becomes clear and fluffy.

4) Sift the flour and the vanilla yeast and add it to the mixture together with the melted butter or sunflower oil if you follow a dairy-free diet.

5) add the orange juice (filtered from the seeds) and amalgamating together with the vanilla yeast and a pinch of salt.

Baking

Preheat the static oven to 150 degrees. Grease and flour a pan to put the mixture, if necessary you can level with a ladle.

Bake for an hour.

Each oven has its own specifications, it is always a good idea to test the toothpick during baking: insert a wooden toothpick in the cake and if it comes out dry it means that the cake is baked.

The right time to enjoy the cake

This orange cake, if stored under a cotton cloth, can be stored for up to four days while maintaining both flavor and aroma and therefore there are so many right moments! From breakfast with milk to peckish after dinner, every moment is valid to taste this soft cake.

The cakes of Villa Campestri

If you want to enjoy a real moment of relax, in the temperate climate of beautiful Tuscany, and taste delicious cakes, we are waiting for you at Villa Campestri in the heart of Tuscany with our delicious breakfasts and snacks!

Quick Booking snippet


  • Arrival Date:

  • Nights:

  • Rooms:

  • Adults:

  • Children:

How to store extra virgin olive oil at home, common mistakes and practical advice

Extra virgin olive oil is a natural product that continues to evolve after pressing. Heat, light and oxygen accelerate this process and gradually affect both flavour and quality. At Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, this is something we know well. Our family has been producing extra virgin olive oil for generations, using olives grown in […]

Stargazing in Mugello: where to see the stars in summer and beyond

Mugello is best known for its charming villages, ancient woodlands, historic villas and quintessential Tuscan landscapes. What many people don’t realise is that, after sunset, its clear skies and low levels of light pollution create ideal conditions for observing constellations, planets and, at the right time of year, even the Milky Way stretching across the […]

Why an Olive Oil Resort offers a different way to experience Tuscany

Villa Campestri, the world’s first Olive Oil Resort, transforms extra virgin olive oil into an experience that brings together nature, gastronomy, wellbeing and a deep connection to the land.

Sleep better and restore your energy: the benefits of a stay in the Mugello

Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling as tired as when you went to bed? Or found yourself exhausted at night, only to lie awake for hours? Perhaps you’ve experienced that familiar afternoon slump, when your energy suddenly disappears for no obvious reason. Most of us blame stress, a busy schedule or lack […]

Markets and artisan shops in Mugello, what to Buy and where to find authentic tuscan products

One of the most meaningful experiences during a trip to Tuscany, beyond visiting art cities or iconic landscapes, is connecting with everyday local life. That connection often happens in village markets, artisan workshops, and small food shops where products are made for the people who live there year-round, not just for visitors. In this guide, […]

How to get to Mugello from Florence and travel around Tuscany with or without a car

How to get to Mugello from Florence and how to travel around Tuscany with or without a car. Distances, trains, buses and transfers.

A romantic weekend in Tuscany: stay in a Renaissance villa overlooking the hills

Romantic weekend in Tuscany between Mugello and Florence: scenic rooms, candlelight dinners, and olive oil tastings. Discover Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort.

Why staying in the Mugello is the smartest way to visit Florence and Tuscany

Anyone visiting Florence for the first time imagines a stay right in the historic center, surrounded by museums, piazzas, and narrow cobblestone streets. It takes only a day, however, to realize that Florence is wonderful to explore yet challenging to inhabit. Between ZTL restrictions, scarce and expensive parking, constant noise, and high prices for even […]