Glazed Blood Orange Loaf Cake
Do you ever get something into your head and simply cannot rest until you make it/do it?
I do.
I've been wanted to make a light, bright, fresh citrusy cake for some time now. I'm not even a particularly huge fan of citrus fruits, though I do recognize their need in my kitchen. But I was longing for an aromatic cake filled with zest and indicative of summer. It may or may not have been caused by watching Jersey Shore and longing for some of my own summery shore time. Without the spray tans and fake boobs.
So for my mother-in-law's birthday on Sunday, I finally went ahead and researched a good citrus cake. Of course, any time I get an idea in my head, I must consult with Ina. She's my girl for all recipes. I simply cannot make something without checking her recipe list first, if even to simply compare. And wouldn't you know, she has a recipe for lemon cake. My heart skipped a beat.
Instead of lemon though, I wanted to try something a bit less tart...orange, perhaps? I sent Shaun out grocery shopping on Saturday night and I didn't realize until I had started baking that he didn't pick up any old orange. I cut them open and found this.
After zesting and juicing, it felt like a party at Dexter's house.
But seriously, the blood oranges made this cake just a hint orangey, which was absolute perfection. And see that gorgeous pink glaze? It's 100% au naturale from the blood orange juice. Gorgeous, no?
Glazed Blood Orange Loaf Cake
*Adapted from Ina Garten
For the cake:
4 blood oranges, zested & juiced
2 lemons, zested & juiced
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 eggs
3 C flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange & lemon juice, divided
3/4 C buttermilk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the glaze:
2 C confectioners' sugar
3 tbsp orange/lemon juice
milk (add for consistency)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Zest the fruit and set aside. You should get about 1/3 C of zest.
Now juice the fruit and set the juice aside. In a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time and then mix in the orange & lemon zest.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In a glass measuring cup, combine 1/4 C of the fruit juice, buttermilk and vanilla extract.
Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures to the sugar mixture, alternating a third at a time. Begin and end with the flour. Divide the batter between the 2 pans.
Cook for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes and move to a wire rack, which I set over a tray to catch syrup drippings. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, mix 1/4 C of the fruit juice, 1/4 C water and 1/2 C sugar and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Prick holes all over the top of the cakes and pour the syrup over them (here's where the tray comes in handy).
Let the cakes completely cool and make the glaze.
Whisk together the confectioners' sugar and fruit juice, adding a splash of milk until it's thin enough to pour, but not too runny. Move the cakes to plates and pour the glaze over the cakes, letting it get all down the sides. Pretty.
Slice up and enjoy!
So what do you think? Have you ever worked with blood oranges? Do you like fruity desserts? And most importantly, do you watch Jersey Shore?
18 Comments | March 15, 2011 | Share Article | Email Article | tagged Desserts, blood orange, cake, citrus | in Recipes Print Article | Permalink
Reader Comments (18)
Now that I've accepted a few lemon desserts in my life, I think the next step might be some other citrus flavors lol. Love the color you get from the blood orange!
It's so pretty!!! I love the pink frosting. Blood oranges always seem like the cooler, chic-er sister or navel oranges...I feel like it's time for me to start experimenting with them
We've eaten a lot of blood oranges, but haven't actually used them in anything. This looks awesome!
I love fruity desserts, but tend to not really eat them anymore ...I miss it!
I've actually never seen jersey shore---should I not admit that?!
Lisa, it might be something to be proud of actually...but you are missing out on some serious laughs! It's like one giant train wreck and I love it!
well this looks just beautiful. i LOVE the glaze! i need to find myself some blood oranges.
I love fruity desserts! Especially the citrus variety. I just made some lemon cream bars and would've eaten the whole pan if it wasn't for the guests at the party.
I watch JS from time to time. I love Pauly D and JWOW. It's such a bad show...like a train wreck. I can't stop watching.
Joanna, Pauly D is my favorite too! There's just not enough of him on there :)
"GTF... Gym, Tan, Find out who Sammie's texting behind Ronnie's back."
I have to agree - the blood orange always reminds me of Dexter!!! I love citrus loafs! Yours looks fantastic.
This looks amazing!! I wanna try, and chance you'll whip up another one for Sunday? ha
Kimmi, it actually made 2 cakes, so I have one in the freezer for Sunday!
Ooh yum this cake looks lovely. Would be really nice with a cup of tea :)
Jersey shore is funny! I love Paully and Vinny!
wow! this cake looks so pretty! i am in love with the glaze:) thank you for sharing this.
I knew I should have waiting to re-start the sugar detox until tomorrow - this looks so amazing! No surprise here, I'm totally craving brown rice tonight... guess it's another stir-fry night!
Okay, now I've got this cake in my brain, too. I have a lemon tree in my backyard, so this is perfect. I just need to find blood oranges now!
iv never tried blood oranges, but they look absolutely delicious as does your cake. I hope your mother in law enjoyed the cake!
I simply cannot believe that that icing gets its beautiful color from fruit juice. Amazing! Gorgeous! Wow. Thanks for sharing.
-- Rivki @ Healthy Eating for Ordinary People
WOW!! I am absolutely madly in love with the pink glaze!!! :D