Orange Syrup and Ricotta Loaf

Preheat the oven to 150°C fan bake.

Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until very light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt and add to the batter along with the yoghurt and zest and gently beat to combine. Add the ricotta and mix until just incorporated. 

Spoon into the tin and smooth the top. 

Bake for about 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Makes 1 loaf 

Syrup: Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

When the loaf comes out of the oven, spoon the syrup evenly over the top then leave to cool completely in the tin. It’s a lot of syrup but it will eventually be absorbed into the cake as it cools. 

To serve: Combine the icing sugar with enough orange juice to make a thick pourable icing.

Spoon into a small plastic bag and tie the top. Snip off a tiny corner and drizzle the icing thickly over the loaf and top with garnishes if desired. Leave to set.