Description

Bright and Zesty Blood Orange Cake is a soft, moist citrus dessert with fresh blood orange zest, juicy orange flavor, and a light glossy glaze that makes every slice feel bright and special. This easy recipe is perfect for brunch ideas, dessert ideas, spring baking, holiday food ideas, or a quick homemade cake when you want something fresh, colorful, and full of zesty flavor.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons blood orange zest

2 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream

1/4 cup fresh blood orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk, room temperature

1 blood orange, thinly sliced for topping

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons fresh blood orange juice for glaze

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and blood orange zest until pale and fluffy.

4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla, Greek yogurt or sour cream, and blood orange juice.

5. Add the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the milk. Mix just until combined.

6. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

7. Arrange the thin blood orange slices over the batter and press them lightly into place.

8. Bake for 35 to 42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

9. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack.

10. Whisk powdered sugar with blood orange juice until smooth, then drizzle over the mostly cooled cake before slicing.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs, milk, and yogurt so the batter blends smoothly and bakes with a tender crumb.

Slice the blood oranges very thinly for the prettiest top and the best texture after baking.

Let the cake cool before glazing so the glaze sets softly instead of melting completely into the cake.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 315
Sugar: 31g
Sodium: 145mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 78mg

Keywords: blood orange cake, citrus cake, easy recipe, dessert ideas, brunch ideas, spring baking, food ideas, homemade cake