Orange Cream Cake

This week was my mother's birthday, and so I needed a good birthday cake recipe!  So, the orange cream cake was born!! :D

My mom has been a Lyme warrior practically her entire life, and we have fought the Lyme battle side by side for many years now.  My mother is a beautiful and incredible woman, and so I wanted a cake that was just as beautiful and amazing as her!

This cake is easy to make, refined sugar free, and made with whole wheat flour!  It just the perfect taste of orange and is absolutely beautiful and perfect for any special occasion! 

Orange Cream Cake

Cake:
1/3 Cup butter
1/3 Cup palm shortening
2 tsp (or about one orange's worth) grated orange rind
3/4 Cup golden Monk Fruit sweetener
1/2 Cup raw honey
3 eggs
2 1/2 Cups whole wheat bread flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 Cup fresh squeezed orange juice 
1 tsp organic orange flavoring (or 2-4 drops of orange essential oil)
Frosting:
1 Cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 Cup organic maple syrup (or more depending on desired sweetness)
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
2 tsp. organic orange flavoring
orange zest and orange slices (optional for decoration)
Directions

1. Cream together butter, palm shortening, and orange rind.
2. Gradually add sweeteners until well combined and fluffy.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Continue beating for about three minutes or until light and fluffy.
5. Mix together dry ingredients and then add alternately with orange juice to creamed mixture.
6. Add orange flavoring or orange essential oil.
7. Beat until combined.
8. Line two 8 inch round pans with parchment paper and grease sides with grass-fed butter.
9. Pour batter evenly in pans and bake at 350° for 25-30 mins or until toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean.
10. Cool for 20 mins and then remove from pans.
11. Let cool COMPLETELY before frosting!
12. For frosting whip all ingredients together until stiff peaks form.
13. Frost with orange cream frosting to your desired look and top with orange slices and orange zest if desired.
14. Store in refrigerator.