Schiacciata alla Fiorentina

This is a typical Florentine sponge cake, simple and yummy.  It's usually eaten around this time (well, during Carnival but we're near enough!) On a rather unrelated note, I actually think it's my first time making a square cake- just for you Siún!!

Ingredients:

350g all-purpose flour

150g caster sugar

grated zest of 1 orange

juice of 1 orange

2 free range eggs

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

60ml olive oil

2 tbsp milk

confectioner's sugar, for dusting 

Method: 

Preheat oven to 180C/350F, then grease and line a 20x30 rectangular (I used 23x23 square) baking tin with parchment paper. 

Place the eggs, sugar, oil and grated orange zest into a large bowl and whisk well.

Next add the sifted flour, baking powder, vanilla, milk and juice.  Mix everything together well with a spatula.

Pour the batter into the baking tin and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, testing with a toothpick/skewer to make sure it's cooked all the way through.

Allow to cool on a wire rack, then dust liberally with confectioner's sugar.  Feel free to make a pattern or use a stencil (like I did) to decorate the top of the cake. Cut into squares and enjoy!