Greek cuisine · Desserts & Sweets

Fanouropita

Vegan spiced cake with orange juice, raisins and walnuts, traditionally baked for the feast day of Saint Fanourios.

Ingredients · for 8 servings

• 450 g flour
• 250 g sugar
• 200 ml olive oil
• 300 ml orange juice
• 1 packet baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 150 g raisins
• 150 g walnuts
• 1 orange (zest)
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C top/bottom heat and grease a 26 cm springform pan with oil; soak the raisins in warm orange juice for 10 min. and roughly chop the walnuts.
2. Vigorously stir the olive oil, sugar and grated orange zest together until the sugar has largely dissolved, then stir in the remaining orange juice.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and ground cloves, and stir into the liquid mixture in three additions until a smooth, thick batter forms.
4. Toss the drained raisins and two-thirds of the walnuts in 1 tbsp flour — this keeps them from sinking — and fold in gently.
5. Pour the batter into the pan, sprinkle with the remaining walnuts and bake for 45–50 min. until the cake is deep golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
6. Let the cake rest in the pan for 20 min., then release it, let cool completely and serve in slices dusted with powdered sugar.