Orange Buttermilk Picnic Cake with Chocolate Chips - Independence Day - Baked Occasions

I'm a day late again. We were a little busy yesterday between watching the parade, shooting bottle rockets, snakes, and throwing pop-its, making grilled pizza for dinner and of course watching the fireworks at night. I suppose all of you were probably too busy to read about this cake then anyway. So feel free to read today while you recover.

Independence Day or the 4th of July is a holiday for everyone in this country. To be able to have the freedoms that we do is amazing and wonderful and most of the time we take it for granted, and I hope that my children can realize that this holiday is more than fireworks and candy at a parade. With time and age comes understanding, so we will just keep telling them what this country is meant to be and hopefully we now, and they in the future can help it become that again.

This cake was another simple one to put together. I think over the summer it's nice to have some of these quick and simple recipes when it is hot and we don't really want to be in the kitchen for very long anyway. Just one pan to bake the cake and a simple syrup, no messy icing to deal with either. The syrup was a great addition to the cake, it helped give a citrus tang to the cake and a syrupy sweetness without being too sticky.

The orange flavor in this cake was not overpowering, but it was a nice bright citrus flavor to add to an otherwise denser cake. The crumb was a little bit denser, but not overly so. That helped to be served at a picnic where one often eats with their hands rather than a fork. Make sure to bake it longer than you think to achieve this texture. This cake was easily picked up and eaten without a knife and fork, it truly is a perfect picnic cake. The boys enjoyed this one, but of course they wanted more chocolate chips.

The recipe and thoughts from other bakers about this cake are available at Baked Sunday Mornings here.

Timing: Recipe States: does not say, My Actual Timing: 45 minutes, plus baking time
Servings: Recipe States: 8-12 servings, Servings For My Family: 10 servings
Leftovers: I thought it was better on the second day.


Family Ratings:
Me: This cake had an orange flavor, but it was not overpowering. A nice simple, dense cake that could easily be served at a picnic.
Hubby:
Big Man: It's actually good!
Bear: I would prefer it with more chocolate chips.
Mr. T: Can I have another piece, and more parade candy!

Will I repeat: Yes!

What will I change: Nothing.