Name: Blood Orange Cake: A Citrus Sensation for Any Occasion
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; Zest of 2 blood oranges; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract; 1 cup buttermilk; ¼ cup fresh blood orange juice; Optional: 1 drop pink or peach gel food coloring; ½ cup fresh blood orange juice (for curd); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; ½ cup granulated sugar (for curd); 2 large egg yolks (for curd); 1 large whole egg (for curd); ¼ cup unsalted butter, cubed (for curd); 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream); 3 ½ cups powdered sugar (for buttercream); 2–3 tablespoons fresh blood orange juice (for buttercream); Zest of 1 blood orange (for buttercream); Pinch of salt (for buttercream); 1–2 drops pink gel food coloring (for buttercream); Fresh blood orange slices (for decoration); Optional: candied blood orange slices or edible flowers (for decoration)

Blood Orange Cake is the epitome of citrus delight, bringing vibrant flavor and eye-catching color to your table. This cake is not just a treat for the taste buds – it’s a feast for the eyes, perfect for any occasion, be it a special celebration or a simple afternoon tea. Made with fresh blood orange juice and zest, it offers a naturally sweet and tangy crumb that will leave you craving more. The addition of a creamy buttercream frosting or a light glaze elevates this dessert, making it a must-try for anyone who loves unique citrus-flavored cake recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Blood Orange Cake

There are countless reasons to adore this Blood Orange Cake recipe. First, its stunning color makes it a showstopper at gatherings. Second, the flavor profile is a beautiful balance of sweet and tangy, appealing to a wide audience. Third, it’s versatile enough to enjoy as a blood orange dessert at brunch or as a centerpiece for special occasions. Fourth, this cake can easily be adapted into a blood orange pound cake or a blood orange upside-down cake for a creative twist. Fifth, it’s a perfect base for various toppings, such as blood orange cake with cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze. Lastly, it caters to various dietary preferences, including options for a vegan blood orange cake or a gluten-free blood orange cake.

Ingredients for Blood Orange Cake

Gather these items:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
Zest of 2 blood oranges
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup buttermilk
¼ cup fresh blood orange juice
Optional: 1 drop pink or peach gel food coloring
½ cup fresh blood orange juice (for curd)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup granulated sugar (for curd)
2 large egg yolks (for curd)
1 large whole egg (for curd)
¼ cup unsalted butter, cubed (for curd)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
3 ½ cups powdered sugar (for buttercream)
2–3 tablespoons fresh blood orange juice (for buttercream)
Zest of 1 blood orange (for buttercream)
Pinch of salt (for buttercream)
1–2 drops pink gel food coloring (for buttercream)
Fresh blood orange slices (for decoration)
Optional: candied blood orange slices or edible flowers (for decoration)

How to Make Blood Orange Cake Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
Step 4: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the blood orange zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Step 5: In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk and blood orange juice. If using, add a drop of gel food coloring.
Step 6: With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk mixture in two additions.
Step 7: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 8: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Step 9: In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the blood orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, egg yolks, and whole egg until smooth. Stir constantly for 7–10 minutes until thickened.
Step 10: Remove the curd from heat and whisk in the cubed butter until melted. Chill until thickened, about 1 hour.
Step 11: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar.
Step 12: Mix in the blood orange juice, zest, salt, and gel food coloring. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
Step 13: If needed, level the cooled cake layers. Place the first layer on a cake board. Pipe a ring of buttercream around the edge and fill with blood orange curd. Repeat with the second layer.
Step 14: Add the final cake layer on top. Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream and chill for 20 minutes.
Step 15: Apply the final layer of buttercream over the chilled cake and decorate with fresh blood orange slices and optional candied slices or edible flowers.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Blood Orange Cake

Keep these in mind:

This cake can be made a day in advance.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For a different flavor, try using blood orange cake with almond flour for a gluten-free option.
Experiment with blood orange cake decoration ideas like edible flowers for an elegant touch.

Best Ways to Serve Blood Orange Cake

Here are some great ideas:

Serve it with a dollop of blood orange cake with whipped cream for added richness.
Pair it with a light glaze for a simple yet elegant dessert.
Enjoy it with freshly brewed coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.

How to Store and Reheat Blood Orange Cake

To store, keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This cake can also be frozen for up to three months; just ensure it is wrapped properly to avoid freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight. The total time for preparation and cooking is about 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it a great option for meal prep.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Orange Cake

What’s the secret to perfect Blood Orange Cake?

The secret lies in using fresh blood orange juice and zest, which infuse the cake with an authentic citrus flavor that can’t be replicated with extracts. This is what makes it stand out as a citrus-flavored cake.

Can I make Blood Orange Cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake can be prepared a day in advance. Just make sure to store it properly in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. It’s a great choice for special occasions.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Blood Orange Cake?

To avoid mistakes, ensure your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing, and don’t overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added. This helps maintain the fluffiness of the blood orange sponge cake.

Variations of Blood Orange Cake You Can Try

Here are some exciting twists:

Make a blood orange cake with glaze instead of frosting for a lighter option.
Try a vegan blood orange cake by substituting eggs with flaxseed meal and using plant-based butter.
Use almond flour to create a nutritious and gluten-free version of this cake.
For an exciting twist, consider a blood orange upside-down cake that beautifully showcases the fruit.