Orange Pound Cake

I found this recipe over 10 years ago but I do not make it as often as I should.  It is such a fresh, moist, flavorful cake.  Be prepared for your kitchen to smell heavenly as it bakes.

Orange pound Cake

2 1/4 Cup Flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Zest of 2 oranges

1 2/3 Cup sugar

5 room temperature eggs

2/3 Cup Creme Fraiche or heavy cream

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier

7 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and flour 9x5x3 loaf pan.

Place the pan on a baking sheet.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt.

Toss the sugar and orange zest together in a large bowl.  Rub together until the sugar is moist and fragrant. 

Whisk in eggs until the mixture is pale and foamy.  Then whisk in the creme fraiche and  Grand Marnier. 

Switch to a large rubber spatula and gently stir the sifted flour mixture into the batter a little at a time.  Then fold in the melted batter a little at a time until the batter is thick and smooth.

Pour into prepared loaf pan.

Bake 1 hour and 25 minutes or until an inserted tooth pick comes out clean.