Sticky Orange and Rum Syrup Loaf

, from Issue #85. July, 2019
Photography by Josh Griggs.
Sticky Orange and Rum Syrup Loaf

This ranks high on my list of great loaf recipes that I’ve developed over the years. Even those that aren’t fond of rum to drink (which includes me) really love this one.

INGREDIENTS

3 large eggs, size 7
1¾ cups caster sugar
1 cup neutral oil (eg sunflower oil)
1 cup buttermilk
finely grated zest 2 large oranges
⅓ cup orange juice
⅓ cup dark rum
2½ cups plain flour
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Rum syrup
½ cup orange juice
½ cup caster sugar
½ cup rum
You will need...
a 6-cup capacity loaf tin, greased and fully lined with baking paper

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 150°C fan bake.

Beat the eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, orange zest and juice and the rum together in a large bowl. 

Combine the flour, baking powder and cinnamon, add to the egg mixture and stir together, ensuring there are no lumps in the batter.

Pour the batter into the tin and bake for about 75 minutes, or until the loaf is golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. The top will crack as it bakes.

Rum syrup: Place the juice, sugar and half of the rum in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes then take off the heat and stir in the remaining rum. Leave to cool.

When the loaf is cooked, brush half the syrup over the hot loaf and leave to cool completely in the tin.

To serve: Slice the loaf and serve with the remaining syrup. The loaf will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Makes 1 loaf