This cake combines some influences of England, Germany and Italy. Dense cakes like this make the perfect accompaniment for afternoon tea, a long-held English tradition. The hazelnuts and anise are popular baking ingredients in Germany and Italy and their aroma brings back many fond memories for me. Being from Germany, having lived several years in England, and cherishing my adventures in Italy, this cake embodies the best of three worlds.
This cake has a great texture that is punctuated by chewy figs and crunchy hazelnuts and laced with a wonderful orange flavor from the zest and glaze. Your kitchen will smell heavenly while it’s baking!
Bake a loaf of this delicious cake, brew up some tea and enjoy a nice visit with some friends!
Let’s get started!
First toast the hazelnuts: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the hazelnuts in one layer on a baking sheet. Place it on the middle rack and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly colored and skins are blistered.
Wrap the nuts in a kitchen towel and let them steam 1 minute. Then rub the nuts in the towel to remove the skins (don’t worry if they don’t all come off). Let them cool completely.
Chop the figs.
Stir together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and ground anise (unless using extract – add it to the wet ingredients) into a large bowl.
Add the toasted hazelnuts and the chopped figs and stir to coat.
In another large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy.
Add the sugar and continue to beat another 4-5 minutes until fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
Add the orange zest and the anise extract if you aren’t using ground anise.
Stir in the flour/fig/hazelnut mixture until combined. The dough will be very stiff.
Butter and flour a 8 1/2 X 4 1/2 loaf pan. Spoon the dough into the prepared loaf pan.
In the oven preheated to 350 degrees F, bake on the middle rack for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool for 10 minutes before inverting the cake onto the wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake is cooled, make the orange glaze:
In a medium bowl, microwave (or use a saucepan over the stovetop) the butter and orange juice together until the butter is melted.
Remove and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar and whisk vigorously until smooth and thickened.
The icing will firm up quickly so use it within 5 minutes. If it does thicken simply reheat it for a few minutes.
Drizzle the hot glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to run down the sides, and let it stand for about 1 hour until the glaze is set.
Slice and serve immediately. This cake is best the eaten the first day.
Enjoy!
Anise, Fig and Hazelnut Tea Cake with Orange Glaze.
- ⅔ cups shelled whole hazelnuts
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1½ cups chopped dried figs
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2½ teaspoons grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon ground anise or ½ teaspoon anise extract
- For the Orange Glaze:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- First toast the hazelnuts: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the hazelnuts in one layer on a baking sheet. Place it on the middle rack and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly colored and skins are blistered. Wrap the nuts in a kitchen towel and let them steam 1 minute. Then rub the nuts in the towel to remove the skins (don't worry if they don't all come off). Let them cool completely.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and ground anise (unless using extract - add it to the wet ingredients) into a large bowl. Add the toasted hazelnuts and the chopped figs and stir to coat.
- In another large bowl, beat the butter until pale and fluffy. Add the sugar and continue to beat another 4-5 minutes until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the orange zest and the anise extract if you aren't using ground anise. Stir in the flour/fig/hazelnut mixture until combined. The dough will be very stiff.
- Butter and flour a 8½ X 4½ loaf pan. Spoon the dough into the prepared loaf pan.
- In the oven preheated to 350 degrees F, bake on the middle rack for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool for 10 minutes before inverting the cake onto the wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cake is cooled, make the orange glaze:
- In a medium bowl, microwave (or use a saucepan over the stovetop) the butter and orange juice together until the butter is melted. Remove and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar and whisk vigorously until smooth and thickened. The icing will firm up quickly so use it within 5 minutes. If it does thicken simply reheat it for a few minutes.
- Drizzle the hot glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to run down the sides, and let it stand for about 1 hour until the glaze is set.
- Slice and serve immediately. This cake is best the same day.
Adapted from Williams Sonoma
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
I love this! The combination of the figs and hazelnuts sounds amazing, and that orange glaze is drool-worthy!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Julie! :)
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
What a perfect little cake! I adore hazelnuts but don’t eat them often enough!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Lauren! Hazelnuts are so huge in a lot of western European baking, it’s really a shame that they’re not utilized more here in the U.S..
[email protected] Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says
I love Figs! This bread looks amazing
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Chandra!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Ahhh I wish I had this in time for my tea party last weekend! Next time for sure!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
This would have been PERFECT, Ashley!
Ginny McMeans says
This really is the most beautiful dense cake. Love the figs and hazelnuts in there.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Ginny! The figs and hazelnuts really complement each other beautifully.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
The orange in there sounds delicious! Such a pretty cake!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Erin! The orange is a vital component to this cake, it adds such a wonderful flavor!
Lora @savoringitaly says
This reminds me of an Italian holiday cake. I love any sweet with hazelnuts! Such a perfect flavor combo and so wonderful to have with a cup of coffee on a cold winter’s day!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
It’s very reminiscent of Italian baking, Lora, and I agree – hazelnuts are downright awesome!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
LOVE everything about this cake! From figs and hazelnuts to the orange glaze! Gorgeous!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Anna! :)
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I love every single ingredient in this cake (and how funny, because I was thinking it sounded Italian)! Yor photos are lovely! I’m pinning this to try!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Patricia! And yes, figs and hazelnuts are very much common in Italian baking as well.
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says
Wow can I have this whole cake with my tea, I mean, I can’t just have a slice!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Haha, I can relate to that sentiment, Katalina! Which is why I still have a few pounds I need to shed! ;)
heather @french press says
this sounds wonderful I’d love to be enjoying a slice or two with my moring tea
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Heather!
Stephanie says
I have a hot cup of tea in my hands right now and would LOVE a slice of this cake to go along with it! Beautiful!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
You are perfectly set for a slice of this, Stephanie! :)
Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary says
I’m looking for orange glaze recipe today and suddenly I see your post..get extra here because your cake looks fabulous to try as well…
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s awesome, Citra, thank you!
Marye says
This is gorgeous and I am loving all those flavors!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Marye! :)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Those flavors sound glorious! I love the crunch of the hazelnuts too!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Rebecca! The hazelnuts provide a nice crunchy contrast to the chewiness of the figs.