Orange Heart Loaf

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar, orange zest, vanilla extract and salt until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time alternately with 1 tbsp flour. Stir in remaining flour and baking powder until smooth. Stir in orange juice.
2. 2
   Divide batter into halves (approx 1 2/3 lbs each). Cover 1/2 and put in refrigerator. Add food coloring to the remaining batter until red. Spoon red mixture into a greased, floured loaf pan (9 x 5 inch). Bake for 45-50 mins.
3. 3
   Leave the loaf to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 mins. Then remove from pan and allow to cool completely for 1 hr 30 mins.
4. 4
   Cut the red loaf into 15 slices. Using a 2 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out a heart from each of the 15 slices.
5. 5
   Lie hearts in a row along bottom the loaf pan. Starting at one end, pour a little orange batter into the pan. Holding the first heart upright, anchor it against the batter, adding more batter until the heart stands up on its own. Continue with remaining hearts until they are all immersed in batter.
6. 6
   Bake loaf for 45 mins. Leave to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 mins. Remove loaf from pan, transfer to a plate and leave to cool for 2 hrs. Dust with powdered sugar.