I see you, spring. We’re so close! The good, the bad, the snowy — it’s time to bid our frozen friend Winter goodbye and embrace the new beginning spring offers. So this week, we’re sending winter off in style with one last celebration of its best ingredients — bright, friendly citrus atop a deliciously moist & fluffy, citrus-spiked cake. Because what better way to celebrate (or say goodbye) than with cake?
If I had to describe this cake in one word, it would be happy.
The bright colors of the citrus that flow beautifully from the deep purple-red of blood orange, through the perfectly pink hue of Cara Cara oranges, to lemon’s happy yellow are sure to bring a smile to even the most winter-worn of faces. It’s good-mood food, even before you’ve indulged in bite.
Upside down cakes can be intimidating. Most bakers have had at least one experience where in the moment of truth — the flip — out comes a cake with half of the fruit still stuck to the pan. Not this cake.
Have no fear, this recipe is fool-proof when it comes to sticking — parchment paper (don’t skip it!) combined with the moisture from the citrus ensures a perfectly intact and gorgeously ombré cake, every time.
And while it’s appearance is show-stopping, we have to take a moment to celebrate the flavor. The citrus bakes beautifully into the cake batter, creating a soft, juice-infused layer that sits atop a moist, airy layer of lemon-scented sponge. If you can’t find Cara Cara oranges, use grapefruit. Meyer lemons lend a wonderfully floral flavor but use whatever you can find. Oranges, tangerines — they’re all fair game and don’t be afraid to use their sunny shades to create any sort of color pattern you desire. Enjoy!
Ombré Citrus Upside Down Cake
Serves 8-12 Slices
This Citrus Upside Down Cake Is Just What Your Spring Dinner Parties Need
Categories
Ingredients
For the obmré citrus topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 Blood orange
- 1 Cara Cara orange (can sub grapefruit)
- 1 Navel orange
- 1 lemon (Meyer or regular)
For the cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 orange & 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons zest)
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup buttermilk, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch baking pan with parchment so that it covers the bottom and sides. Set aside.
- Add the sugar, water and butter to a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30-45 seconds until butter and sugar are melted. You may need to stir to fully dissolve the sugar. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the lined pan.
- With the skin still on, use a paring knife to slice citrus to about ¼-inch thickness. Carefully cut the skin off of each slice, removing as much of the pith (white part) as possible while keeping your slices in-tact.
- Arrange the citrus in an ombré pattern in the prepared pan. You may need to cut the slices into halves and quarters in order to fill all of the open space. Make sure to tuck them in tightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, add the sugar and citrus zest and use your fingers to massage the zest into the sugar. This will release the oils and make the citrus more fragrant and flavorful.
- Add the room temperature butter and citrus-infused sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat until light & fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until thoroughly mixed.
- Alternate adding the flour and buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour, and beat until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix. The batter will be fairly thick and fluffy.
- Spoon the batter over the citrus and then use a spatula to gently spread it evenly over the fruit.
- Bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan (3-4 hours minimum) before turning the cake out onto a serving dish. Enjoy!
can you use a tangelo instead of a blood orange?