Upside-Down Blood Orange Cake blends the irresistible sweetness of blood oranges with the gentle perfection of a precisely made cake. This dessert not only catches your eye with its vibrant colors but also promises delightful citrusy notes. Brace yourself to flip tradition on its head and enjoy the unique pleasures of my Upside-Down Blood Orange Cake.
Upside Down Orange Cake Recipe
On chilly winter days, citrus fruits bring a burst of color to our meals, and blood oranges steal the show. This simple one-pan cake made with flour and eggs lets its gorgeous red color stand out. It's quick to put together and bakes in under an hour. The result? A cheerful, fruity dessert that’s sure to brighten up even the gloomiest winter day.
If you like making desserts with citrus fruits, then I have pudding with orange and cake with orange juice that you might like.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Upside Down Blood Orange Cake
You'll love this Upside Down Blood Orange Cake recipe for its vibrant citrus flavor, visually appealing presentation with candied orange slices, and the delightful combination of a moist cake that captures the essence of blood oranges in every bite.
Here are a few reasons to fall in love with this recipe:
- Vibrant Citrus Flavor: The use of fresh blood oranges in both the candied slices and the cake batter provides a burst of vibrant citrus flavor, creating a refreshing and delightful taste.
- Moist and Tender Texture: The combination of extra virgin olive oil and carefully whipped egg whites results in a moist and tender cake with a light and airy crumb.
- Balanced Sweetness: The sweetness of the candied orange slices complements the slightly sweet cake, creating a well-balanced and not overly sugary dessert.
- Satisfying and Comforting: The combination of citrus and cake creates a comforting and satisfying treat. It's a dessert that can lift your spirits and bring joy to any occasion.
Overall, this recipe brings together the best elements of flavor, texture, and presentation, making it a standout dessert that you'll love to share and enjoy.
🧾Upside Down Orange Cake Ingredients
Here is a list of everything you need:
For Candied Orange Slices:
- Blood Oranges: Provide a unique and vibrant citrus flavor, as well as the colorful and visually appealing appearance for the topping.
- Water: Used to create a syrup for candying the orange slices, adding sweetness and creating a glossy texture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the candied orange slices and forms a syrup, enhancing the overall sweetness and presentation.
For Cake:
- Egg Yolks: Add richness, moisture, and structure to the cake batter, contributing to a smooth and velvety texture.
- Orange Zest: Introduces intense citrus aroma and flavor to the cake, enhancing its overall orange profile.
- Orange Juice: Adds natural sweetness and citrus flavor to the batter, ensuring a consistent taste throughout the cake.
- Milk: Provides moisture and tenderness to the cake, contributing to a soft crumb.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Imparts a distinct and fruity flavor to the cake, contributing to its unique taste. It also adds moisture and richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake, adding depth and complexity.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cake, balancing the acidity from the oranges and creating a pleasant sweetness.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing sweetness and adding a subtle savory note.
- Flour: Serves as the main structure of the cake, providing the necessary gluten for texture and stability.
- Egg Whites: Whipped to stiff peaks, they contribute to the cake's light and airy texture. The beaten egg whites add volume and help create a fluffy crumb.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Upside Down Blood Orange Cake
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
How to Make Candied Orange Slices:
1. Slice two blood oranges thinly.
2. In a saucepan, mix together water and sugar.
3. Simmer the mixture, stirring continuously until the sugar completely dissolves.
4. Introduce the thinly sliced blood oranges into the syrup that is simmering.
5. Allow the orange slices to cook for approximately 7 minutes until they become candied.
6. Take out the orange slices, put them on parchment paper, and leave them aside.
How to Make a Cake:
1. Gently separate the egg yolks from the egg whites.
2. Combine egg yolks, orange zest, and orange juice in a mixing bowl, whisking until thoroughly blended.
3. Add milk, extra virgin olive oil, and vanilla extract to the mixture, then whisk thoroughly until well combined.
4. Incorporate sugar and salt into the mixture, stirring until thoroughly blended.
5. Slowly sift the flour into the mixture while stirring to prevent the formation of lumps.
6. Arrange the candied orange slices on the base of a 20 cm cake mold.
7. Whisk 3 egg whites in a separate bowl until they reach stiff peak consistency.
8. Carefully fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in batches, ensuring complete incorporation.
9. Pour the cake batter evenly over the candied orange slices in the mold.
10. Place in the preheated oven at 170°C (338°F) and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Let the cake cool before flipping it onto a serving plate, unveiling the delightful candied orange topping.
📖Variations
- Spiced Orange Cake:
- Infuse warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the cake batter for a spiced variation that complements the citrus notes.
- Cardamom Infusion:
- Infuse the cake batter with ground cardamom for a unique and aromatic flavor that complements the citrus elements.
- Boozy Soak:
- After baking, brush the cooled cake with a citrus-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau, for an extra layer of flavor and a hint of sophistication.
🍽 How to Serve
- Slice the Cake:
- Use a sharp knife to slice the cake into even portions. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for cleaner slices.
- Presentation:
- Arrange the slices on individual plates or a serving platter, ensuring that each portion showcases the upside-down design.
- Pairing Suggestions:
- Consider serving the cake with a side of fresh berries or a citrus salad to complement the flavors.
- A hot cup of tea or coffee can be a perfect accompaniment to balance the sweetness of the cake.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Precise Candying Technique: Pay attention to the candying process for the orange slices. Simmer them until they are tender, and the syrup has thickened to ensure a sweet and glossy topping.
Parchment Paper: Place parchment paper in the bottom of the cake mold before arranging the candied orange slices to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth release when inverting the cake.
Evenly Arrange Orange Slices: Arrange the candied orange slices evenly and in a visually appealing pattern at the bottom of the cake pan. This will enhance the upside-down presentation when the cake is flipped.
Test for Doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of the cake, and it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Allow Proper Cooling Time: Allow the cake to cool completely before inverting it onto a serving plate. This prevents it from breaking apart and ensures a neat presentation.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, in certain cake recipes, such as upside-down cakes, it is intended to flip the cake upside down after baking to reveal a decorative topping that was initially placed at the bottom of the pan.
No, sponge cake and chiffon cake are not the same; while both are light and airy, sponge cake is often made without fat, using whipped eggs for leavening, while chiffon cake incorporates oil and relies on both whipped eggs and baking powder for its texture.
🍛More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Upside Down Blood Orange Cake
Ingredients
For Candied Orange Slices:
- 2 Blood Oranges
- 120 ml Water
- 120 g Sugar
For Cake:
- 3 Egg Yolks
- 1 Orange Zest
- 40 ml Orange Juice
- 30 ml Milk
- 50 ml Extra Virgen Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 80 g Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 100 g Flour
- 3 Egg Whites
Instructions
How to Make Candied Orange Slices:
- Thinly slice 2 blood oranges.
- In a saucepan, combine water and sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the sliced blood oranges to the simmering syrup.
- Cook for about 7 minutes until the orange slices are candied.
- Remove the orange slices, place them on parchment paper and set aside.
How to Make the Cake:
- Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, orange zest and orange juice until well combined.
- Pour milk, extra virgin olive oil and vanilla extract and whisk well until combined.
- Stir in sugar and salt and whisk until well combined.
- Gradually sift in the flour, stirring to avoid lumps.
- Place the candied orange slices at the bottom of a 20 cm cake mold.
- In a separate bowl, beat 3 egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in batches until fully incorporated.
- Pour the cake batter over the candied orange slices in the mold.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 170°C (338°F) for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool before inverting it onto a serving plate, revealing the beautiful candied orange topping.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
So beautiful cake I have oranges I am going to make it soon