Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert that features the unique, vibrant flavor of blood oranges combined with the rich, fruity notes of olive oil. This cake is perfect for a special occasion or as a simple, elegant treat with your afternoon tea or coffee.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup blood orange juice (freshly squeezed, about 4-5 blood oranges)
- 1 tablespoon blood orange zest (finely grated)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons blood orange juice (freshly squeezed)
For Garnish (optional):
- Blood orange slices (for decoration)
- Fresh mint leaves (for decoration)
Instructions:
Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the blood orange juice, blood orange zest, granulated sugar, and olive oil until well combined.
- Add eggs: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour into pan: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Glaze (Optional):
- Mix glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and blood orange juice until smooth and well combined.
- Glaze the cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake.
Garnish (Optional):
- Decorate: Garnish the cake with thin slices of blood orange and fresh mint leaves for a decorative touch.
Tips for Perfect Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake:
- Blood orange juice: Freshly squeezed blood orange juice is key to achieving the best flavor and color.
- Room temperature eggs: Use room temperature eggs for a smoother batter and better texture.
- Check doneness: Start checking the cake a few minutes before the suggested baking time to avoid overbaking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Unique flavor: The combination of blood orange and olive oil provides a distinctive and delicious flavor profile.
- Moist and tender: Olive oil keeps the cake incredibly moist and tender.
- Elegant and simple: The cake is both sophisticated in flavor and straightforward to prepare, making it a great choice for any occasion.
Enjoy making and indulging in this Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake—a flavorful and elegant dessert that’s sure to impress!