White Chocolate Pecan Cake with Orange Creme Anglaise

Updated January 26, 2017

White Chocolate Pecan Cake with Orange Crme Anglaise

This cake sounds rich and a bit complicated, but don’t be deceived. It is light and somewhat chewy under a brittle crust–perfect with afternoon tea or morning coffee. The orange flavor combines well with the white chocolate and the hint of nuttiness contributed by the pecans. It is simple to make, with all the ingredients mixed in one bowl.

Thick, slightly tart buttermilk gives the cake a smooth, fine texture and also interacts with the baking soda to make the cake rise. Don’t substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour; it will give a less tender cake. Crème anglaise dessert sauce here is flavored with orange juice and zest to echo the cake’s subtle orange flavor.

Makes1 cake

OccasionBuffet, Casual Dinner Party, Cooking for a date, Family Get-together

Dietary ConsiderationHalal, Kosher, Peanut Free, Soy Free, Vegetarian

MealBreakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Tea

Taste and TextureButtery, Chewy, Creamy, Crisp, Fruity, Nutty, Sweet

Ingredients

1 stick (4 ounces) butter, at room temperature, plus a little for greasing the pan
4 ounces white chocolate
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1¼ cups cake flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (about 2 ounces) finely ground pecans
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 large egg yolks
1½ tablespoons sugar
1½ cups orange juice, fresh or good-quality purchased
¾ teaspoon grated orange zest
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup whole milk
1 vanilla bean, split
Confectioners’ sugar (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch nonstick baking pan. Place a baking sheet on the lowest oven rack.
In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate over just-simmering water. It should be warm, but not hot. Allow it to cool slightly at room temperature.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar, using the paddle attachment at medium speed (or use a hand-held mixer). Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next. In 2 separate bowls, combine the flour and baking soda, and the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the 2 mixtures to the creamed mixture alternately. Add the melted chocolate, pecans, and zest and blend thoroughly.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, place it on the rack above the baking sheet, and bake until the cake is light golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out dry, about 40 minutes. Cool it in the pan for 5 minutes; then invert onto a cake rack to finish cooling.
For the orange crème anglaise: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar, and set aside.
In a small saucepan over high heat, reduce the juice and zest until thick, bubbly, and syrupy, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small, heavy saucepan, scald the cream and milk with the vanilla been over high heat. Add them to the reduced juice and stir to combine. Whisk a little of the cream-juice mixture into the reserved egg mixture and then pour back into the pan of cream. Cook over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture coats the back of the spoon, about 1 minute. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl set into a larger bowl of ice cubes and cool completely; then refrigerate.
To serve: Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over the top of the cake, if desired, and slice. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of crème anglaise over each slice of cake.

Variations

Instead of crème anglaise, serve with ice cream or fresh fruit.
Serve orange crème anglaise with Simple Chocolate Cake.
For pecans, substitute almonds.

Order of Preparation

Prepare and cool the orange crème anglaise.
Sprinkle the cake with optional confectioners’ sugar, slice, and top with the orange crème anglaise.

Notes

When you prepare the crème anglaise, whisk a little of the cream-juice mixture into the egg mixture first, to warm the eggs so they don’t scramble.
Orange crème anglaise can be refrigerated up to 4 days.
The cake can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

1996 Debra Ponzek and Joan Schwartz

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