A Perfect Summer Cake

Baking a perfect cake for a summer outing depends on great ingredients and allowing the baking time without distractions.  This cake requires focus and attention but is not difficult to make.  You can create a wonderful summer dessert if you follow the directions carefully.  Almost all the ingredients are already in your pantry or refrigerator.  Although this cake contains liquor, you can substitute juice if you don't want alcohol in your cake.  

Preheat oven to 350F

Ingredients:

1 yellow cake mix

1/2 cup of sour cream

3 to 4 eggs

1 pkg. of instant pudding mix (I use either white chocolate or cream cheese pudding mix)

1/4 cup of vegetable oil 

1 cup of liquid (equal parts of orange juice, Triple Sec and vodka)

1 tsp. of grated dried orange peel

Spray a bundt pan generously with Pam.  Sift a little of the cake mix into the pan, coating all sides and the middle.  Put the remaining cake mix back into your mixing bowl.  

I love using a mixing bowl with a pour spout for delicate cakes.  Put all the ingredients in the bowl and mix well with an electric mixer.  You can substitute Grand Marnier for the Triple Sec or orange juice for the entire cup of liquid required for this cake.  The batter can take more liquid than normal because of the instant pudding mix.  Bake for one hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.    Allow the cake to cool completely (at least two hours) before removing from the pan.  

Decorating the cake:

Finishing this cake can be as plain and simple as sifting confectioner's sugar over the top and placing fresh raspberries on it.  You can make a chocolate ganache (this pairs well with orange) or a raspberry coulis...