Instructions

1. Firs make the flax-egg by mixing the ground flaxseed with the orange juice. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 170C degrees.
3. Grease a round springform cake pan with a little oil, then sprinkle the base of the tin with a little polenta (this will prevent the cake from sticking to the tin). Line the base with baking paper, cut into circle.
4. Peel 2 oranges and thinly slice them. Put the peels into a saucepan.
5. Arrange the orange slices at the bottom of the cake tin tightly. Use small pieces to fill the gaps. (You might need the third orange to cover the base well).Sprinkle them with a little coconut sugar. Set aside.
6. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, coconut sugar, polenta, baking powder and bicarb.
7. Zest the remaining oranges, then put their flesh into small food processor. Pulse until you get a smooth purée. Add the walnuts and whiz again until smooth.
8. In a small bowl mix the oil, orange zest, maple syrup & vanilla extract. Add the orange and walnut mixture, then combine.
9. Add the wet mixture to the dry one and combine. Finally, add the almond milk and combine.
10. Tip the cake batter over the sliced oranges in the cake tin, then spread it out evenly.
11. Bake the cake in the centre of the oven for approx. 40 minutes. To check if the cake is cooked through, insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake - if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
12. Turn off the oven and let the cake rest in the oven for 10 minutes.
13. Whilst the cake is resting in the oven, prepare the syrup. Combine the sugar, water & reserved orange peel in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 mins until the syrup has slightly thickened. Drain the syrup through a sieve to remove the orange peel, then put it back into the sauce pan. Add the maple syrup and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until it’s thickened.
14. Take the cake out of the oven and rest in the tin for another 10 minute, before turning it onto a wirerack upside down.
15. Carefully peel off the lining paper, then brush the syrup over the orange slices.
16. Let it cool before slicing it into wedges.