3/4 cup orange rind (about 4 oranges)
1¼ cups sugar
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/3 cups orange juice
3 eggs, well beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt

Wash oranges; dry. Remove thin colored portion of the orange rind using a sharp knife, cutting around orange. Cut rind into very thin slivers with scissors or knife. (Alternatively, use a microplane grater).

Combine sugar and water; add rind; stir constantly over heat until sugar has dissolved; cook slowly 5 minutes.

The peel and syrup should measure 1¼ cups. Add butter; stir until melted; add orange juice and beaten eggs. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together into mixing bowl. Add orange mixture and mix just enough to moisten ingredients. Batter will be lumpy. Don't over-mix.

Turn into a waxed paper lined and greased 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan.

Bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 1 hour 15 minutes or until done.

Turn out onto wire rack to cool.