I have had this Gold Medal Century of Success Cookbook since the early eighties and I had never tried this cake recipe. I love orange and can't believe I always skipped this page. Yesterday I served it for birthday cake at a special Sunday dinner. It is a moist cake filled with golden raisins and walnuts and the frosting adds just enough sweetness to make it irresistible.
Williamsburg Orange Cake
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teas. baking soda
3/4 teas. salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
3 eggs
1 1/2 teas. vanilla
1 cup golden raisins, cut up
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 TB grated orange peel
Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour rectangular 9x13 pan or two 9 inch round pans. Beat all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl on low speed, scraping the bowl constantly 30 seconds. Beat on high speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, 3 minutes. Pour into pan(s).
Bake until wooded pick inserted in the center comes out clean. ( rectangular 45-50 min., layers 30-35 minutes.) Cool layers ten minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Frost with Orange Butter Frosting.
Orange Butter Frosting
Mix 1/2 cup softened butter and 3 cups powdered sugar. Beat in 2 teaspoons grated orange peel and about 2 tablespoons orange juice until of spreading consistency.