Orange Chiffon Cake
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oil
7 large egg yolks
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh grated orange zest
2 tablespoons vanilla
9 large egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
TOPPING:
2 cups well chilled heavy cream
3 tablespoons orange flavored liqueur
2 teaspoons fresh grated orange zest
1/4 cup sugar
Into a large bowl sift together the flour, 3/4 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and the salt. In a bowl whisk together the oil, the egg yolks, the orange juice, the zest, and the vanilla and whisk the mixture into the flour mixture, whisking until the batter is smooth. In the large bowl of an electric mixer beat the egg white with a pinch of salt until they are foamy, add the cream of tartar, and beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Add the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, a little at a time, and beat the whites until they hold stiff glossy peaks. Stir one third of the whites into the batter to lighten it and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
Spoon the batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan, 4 inches deep, with feet and a removable bottom, and bake the cake in the middle of a preheated 325ºF oven for 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Invert the pan immediately onto a rack and let the cake cool completely in the pan upside down on the rack. Run a long thin knife around the outer and tube edges of the pan and turn the cake out of the pan onto the rack. Using a serrated knife cut the cake in half horizontally. For topping, in a large bowl, chilled, with an electric mixer beat together the cream, the Grand Marnier, the zest, the sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture holds stiff peaks. Transfer the bottom layer of the cake to a platter, spread some of the frosting on it, and top it with the remaining layer. Spread the remaining frosting on the top layer and side of the cake.
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