Blood Orange Upside Down Cake

Blood oranges are simply fabulous and using them in this upside down cake makes for a delicious and beautiful sweet ending to a meal.

Thank goodness for this Blood Orange Upside Down Cake. I always get somewhat melancholy as fall arrives across the landscape; the bounty of fresh fruits, veggies and herbs are coming to the end of their cycle and I know they will be missed. I wonder how I’ll make it even as the season progresses and we meander through pumpkins and squash and pomegranate.

Then every year, I come alive again with the renewal of citrus. Especially gorgeous Blood Oranges and Cara Cara Oranges. The fruit is simply beautiful.

Blood Oranges are a relatively ‘new to me’ form of citrus but all it took was just one look. They are so incredibly beautiful with their ruby red flesh more reminiscent of a grapefruit, and their beautiful speckled rind with a rainbow of colors from yellow to orange to the appropriately named blood red.

It’s Progressive Eats time again and this month our lovely host decided that a menu consisting of all things citrus might brighten our spirits and yours too. I originally had something else in mind but I’m glad I punted and made it all about this cake.

I’ve grown very fond of using citrus that is candied in a sugary syrup and left to caramelize a bit. The rind softens and is edible and the result is both beautiful to see and a real treat for the taste buds.

While the pith associated with the rinds of oranges is usually very bitter if using whole fruit pieces in a recipe; baking it into this cake changes everything. It reminds me of onions a bit how the flavor and composition changes so dramatically once they are cooked.

The rind on the oranges on the top of the cake and the ones I candied for garnish have softened from the heat allowing the peel to add a more intense flavor to the finished dessert. I’m sort of addicted and trying to make sure everyone around me is too!

While one of my most favorite desserts of all time is Pineapple Upside Down Cake, this one is a new favorite that will be made again. The caramelized topping combined with the gorgeous citrus and a dollop of whipped cream flavored with more orange zest made for a welcome treat after another long winter day.

I guarantee you it will make it’s presence known again with coffee for breakfast; it’s perfect for either and lucky me…I get it for both!

Take a peek at the wonderful assortment of dishes we’ve put together for you with a variety of fresh citrus from this season. I know you’ll find something you’ll love; I know I want it ALL!!

PIN IT! ‘Blood Orange Upside Down Cake’

Yield: 8 - 10 Servings

Blood Orange Upside Down Cake

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2-3 medium size blood oranges, sliced thin

For the Cake:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1½ cups buttermilk
• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon finely grated blood orange zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh blood orange juice

Candied Blood Orange Slices For Garnish: (optional)

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 blood orange, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick

To Finish:

• Whipped cream (add 1/2 tsp orange zest)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Pour the butter into a 9-inch springform cake pan. Use your finger to run a bit of butter around the side of the pan so it's well-greased.
3. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter.
4. Arrange the orange slices in the pan to cover the bottom.

To Make the Cake

1. Whisk flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs, egg yolk, buttermilk, butter, and blood orange zest and juice; mix until no dry spots remain (a few lumps are okay; do not overmix). Pour batter over oranges in pan and bake until top is golden brown and cake pulls away from sides of pan, 35–40 minutes.
2. Place pan on a wire rack and allow cake to cool for at least 10 minutes before inverting, slicing, and serving.

To Make the Blood Orange Slices for Garnish

1. In a medium skillet, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil. Add the orange slices and cook over moderate heat, turning them occasionally, until the liquid is reduced to a thin syrup and the orange slices are translucent, about 20 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer until the syrup is thick and the slices are tender but still intact, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer the orange slices to a rack to cool. Reserve the syrup for another use.
3. Once cooled; top the cake with the additional orange slices.
4. Serve with a dollop of orange zest whipped cream if desired.
5. Make Ahead - The candied orange slices can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Progressive Eats Citrus Menu

Drinks

• Bubbly Blood Orange Campari Cocktail from Mother Would Know

Appetizers

• Muhammara with Blood Orange from Pastry Chef Online

Bread

• Orange and Anise Scented Challah from OMG! Yummy

Main Course

• Chicken Milanese with Citrus Salsa from Healthy Delicious

Veggies/Side Dishes

• Citrus Salad with Honey-Tarragon Vinaigrette from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
• Lemon Rice – South Indian Rice With Lemon from SpiceRoots

Desserts

• Blood Orange Upside Down Cake from Creative Culinary (You’re Here!)
• Chocolate Hazelnut Orange Cake from Food Hunters Guide
• Meyer Lemon Mousse from The Redhead Baker
• Raspberry Topped Lemon Souffles from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month we’re sharing dishes featuring citrus fruits! Our event is hosted by Coleen who blogs at The Redhead Baker.  Citrus fruits are in season this time of year, and the flavors will brighten up even the dreariest winter day. You’ll certainly find a delicious recipe to add to your repertoire!

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats, a theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out.