Blood Orange Upside Down Cake

Ingredients

• 2 blood oranges, sliced very thin
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 4oz butter
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1tsp vanilla
• zest of 1 orange
• 1/2tsp salt
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup orange juice

Instructions

1. Line the bottom of a spring form pan with parchment paper and coat the whole pan with pan spray.
2. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the sugar on top of the orange slices and set aside.
3. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with 3/4 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg yolks one at a time and beat until fully incorporated, scraping the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and orange zest.
5. Sift the dry ingredients and add half of the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Add the liquids followed by the rest of the dry, careful not to overmix.
7. Beat egg whites and remaining 1/4 cup sugar to medium peaks and fold into the batter in thirds.
8. Lay the orange slices in one even layer at the bottom of the pan.
9. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
10. Bake at 325 degrees F until done, about 35-40 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, remove spring form piece but don't invert cake until totally cooled.