Honey Citrus Cake

Step 1

Place butter in a saucepan over low heat to melt; set aside. Place cottage cheese in a food processor or blender and pulse until pureed and no lumps remain; set aside.

Step 2

Fit stand mixer with a paddle attachment and add melted butter, cottage cheese, sugar and zest into stand mixer bowl. Mix on medium-low for 1 minutes or until well combined. Add in vanilla, orange extract and salt and mix until well combined. While mixer is running, add eggs in one at time and mix well after each addition. Turn mixer down to low and keep mixer running while gradually adding in flour.

Step 3

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees F until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out almost clean, approximately 60-70 minutes. Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Turn out cake onto a cooling rack with topside down. Cool completely before cutting.

Step 4

5 large egg whites

Step 5

1 cup sugar

Step 6

4 sticks unsalted butter, sliced and softened

Step 7

3/4 cup honey

Step 8

½ teaspoon orange extract

Step 9

1/4 teaspoon salt

Step 10

Combine egg whites and sugar in a stand mixer bowl and place it over (not on) simmering water. Heat mixture to 160 degrees F while whisking constantly.

Step 11

Transfer mixer bowl to stand mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on medium high speed  until mixture cools, doubles in volume and forms stiff peaks; about 10-12 minutes.

Step 12

Add butter in one piece at a time, mixing to incorporate after each addition..

Step 13

Add in honey, extract and salt, then mix to combine.