The Weirdest Recipe I've Ever Tried

Some things you should know:

• The iconic Fiskars orange-handled scissors turns 45 this year.
• We have an orange tree in our backyard with far more oranges than we could ever eat.
• I can't resist trying a weird recipe.

Each Fiskateer was challenged to bake a treat for the orange-handled scissors' birthday party. I wanted to make something orange, but didn't want to just bake something ordinary and add orange frosting. I decided I wanted to actually bake with oranges. I don't think I've ever baked with oranges before, even though I bake with lemons all the time. (Why is that?!) Google to the rescue. After reading through many recipes, I found one called Blender Quick Orange Bread on the Sunkist website. Using a blender to make bread? Intriguing!

But wait... the recipe calls for an UNPEELED orange. What the heck?! I decided I HAD to try this recipe. I once had a coworker who ate oranges the way normal people eat apples- she'd wash the orange, then take a big bite (peel and all), rotating as she took bites. She remains to this day the only person I know who eats orange peels. Could orange peels in bread taste anything other than bitter and disgusting? I had to find out.

I was so sure that the bread would be bad that I decided to make two versions of the bread- one with the peel, as called for in the recipe, and one without the peel. I kept all other variables the same.

Following the directions, I washed the orange and cut it into chunks with the peel still on. 

It felt REALLY weird putting them into the blender like that. Steve took a picture of the big moment.

The end result looked fairly normal and inoffensive in the blender.

I finished the batters and put both versions into the oven. After 45 minutes, the house smelled amazing. I checked the bread. The bread without the peel had fallen slightly in the center. It tested done. The one with the peel had not fallen and was still a bit gooey. I baked that one for 5 more minutes and then checked on it. It tested done. Interestingly, the center had fallen slightly and matched the other bread.

I whipped up an Orange Julius for each of us while waiting for the bread to cool. When the bread was cool, I cut samples from each loaf and we sat down for our taste test.

The verdict? Both were delicious, but we actually preferred the one with the orange peel! I couldn't believe it. There was no bitterness, just a bit more orange flavor. I never would have guessed. The next time I make this (and I will be making it again for sure), I'll be leaving the peel on.

Blender Quick Orange Bread

                                    1 orange, unpeeled                            1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
                                    1/2 c. orange juice                            1/2 tsp. salt
                                    2 1/2 c. flour                                     1 1/4 c. sugar
                                    2 tsp. baking powder                          2 eggs
                                    1 tsp. baking soda                              1/4 c. butter, melted

Wash the orange, then cut it into large chunks. In a blender, combine orange chunks and orange juice. Blend until almost smooth. Set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs and butter, then beat until smooth. Add the orange mixture and dry ingredients to the bowl, stirring just until blended. Pour into a greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan and bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.