Poppy seed cake with orange syrup

Preheat the oven to 160°C (150°C fan forced). Lightly grease a 20cm fluted ring pan.

In a food processor, combine sugar, butter, eggs and juice. Process for 60 sec or until combined. Add sifted flour to food processor and pulse for 30 sec, or until a smooth batter forms. Add poppy seeds and orange zest. Pulse gently to combine.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 min or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 min, then turn onto a rack. Pierce surface with skewer and pour over Orange Syrup.

Stand for 10 min. Serve with cream.

ORANGE SYRUP

Orange syrup turns a cake into a lush treat. Combine ¾ cup orange juice in a saucepan with ½ cup caster sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5 min, add the shredded rind of an orange and a lemon and simmer for 5 min more. Pour warm syrup over cake.