Orange Spanish Chiffon Cake

Pan d’Espanya (pan Esponjado)

With winter arriving in Zimbabwe, the garden has ripening citrus fruit. This is a perfect time to make Pan d’Espanya, the iconic orange chiffon cake that has been made by the Jews of Spain for generations with the sweet oranges so prolific in Valencia and Andalusia. This moist, feather light cake is bursting with tangy flavors of freshly squeezed juice and zest of oranges and fragrant with a hint of orange blossom water. Pan d’Espanya is a delightful teatime treat or an irresistible finale to a meal with berries and dollops of lightly whipped cream. I make it all the time like our mothers did ….it’s a staple at home.