One of my dad’s favorite cakes was a pineapple upside-down cake.
I made it many times for him over the years. These past few months I had been doing a lot of his grocery shopping for him, and one item that showed up regularly on his list was oranges. So a few weeks ago, when I saw this unique version of an upside-down cake made with oranges, my first thought was, I should make that for Dad.
I bought all the ingredients to make it, but then…. he passed away last week before I had the chance to bake it for him.
Last night was his visitation service. All the kids are still in town, so this morning, with an aching heart, while everyone is still asleep, I’m making the cake that was meant for him.
I’ll serve it to the family, and I’ll think about how much he might have enjoyed it.
Love you, Dad.
Blood Orange Upside-Down Cake
The blood orange slices on the bottom caramelize with the brown sugar, to make a delicious and beautiful topping when you flip it upside-down.
Because of the Greek yogurt and orange zest in the batter, the cake turns out moist and citrus-y.
This Blood Orange Upside-Down Cake has such a pretty presentation with the glistening oranges on the top. I like the color of the blood oranges, but you could also use regular oranges.
This cake is wonderful with a cup of coffee or tea to serve as a breakfast or brunch pastry. A dollop of whipped cream on top would be excellent for dessert.
Blood Orange Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients
- 3 blood oranges
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of 9-inch round cake pan and spray with cooking spray.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add the brown sugar and lemon juice; stir until sugar melts, about 3 minutes. Pour mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
- Grate 1/2 teaspoon zest from one of the oranges, then slice off the tops and bottoms of both oranges. Place oranges on a clean, flat surface, and slice away the rind and pith, top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit. Slice each orange crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick wheels; discard any seeds. Place the slices on paper towels and blot to remove excess juice. Arrange orange wheels on top of brown sugar mixture in a single, without overlapping.
- In a large bowl, whisk together orange zest, almond flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together remaining 2 sticks of butter with white sugar. Beat in eggs, one a time, then beat in yogurt and vanilla and almond extracts. Fold in the dry mixture by hand.
- Pour the batter into pan over oranges and carefully spread around. Bake until cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool cake in pan 15 minutes, then run a knife along pan’s edges to loosen it; carefully invert onto a platter. Serve cake warm.
Notes
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You might also like my Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake…
Not that I want you to live through that memory again, but I, too, lost my parents 3 months apart, at the young ages of 71 and 73. It’s been a lot of years already, but I think of them all the time. There’s no comparable sorrow as losing a loved parent. Food is always part of my strongest memories. May your parents rest in peace, and the happiest memories of them are always with you. And, on another note, I just bought blood oranges at the grocery store this week! And now I have something to make with them! Thank you.
Alene,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a sweet comment. My parents were very similar in age to yours when they passed–too young.
I hope you enjoy the cake. 🥰
❤❤❤💢
That is an absolutely beautiful cake – and I love blood oranges! Thanks for sharing at last week’s What’s for Dinner party – hope to see you there again this week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
I am so sorry for your loss. My Daddy is 103 & I think we will lose him before the end of 2020. My heart aches a to think of it. It ‘s a blessing you have many wonderful memories of your Dad and of doing things for him and with him. Last week I took mine to see “1917” – the year he was born. He loves lemon desserts.
He had a lemon cake for his 100th bday & every year since.
I have loved blood oranges since I discovered them when we lived in Italy. I was delighted when they started showing up in grocery stories after we returned to the States. I visited your site because I saw a link on another site for your recipe. Thank you. God bless you and your family as you deal with the loss of your father.
Marie,
Thank you so much for your sweet message. How wonderful that your dad is still with you at 103. What a gift! Your father is also blessed to have such a lovely daughter who obviously cherishes him so much. I’m glad you found me through another link and reached out. Best Wishes to you and your daddy. ❤️-Niky
Oh my. I am so sorry for both losses and relatively close together. My husband lost his dad 7 months before my dad. Our moms are both still living but sadly his mom is in a nursing home. Failing health. My mom is doing good. She misses my dad. You are so right though, until you go through it, you have no idea the pain that comes from losing a parent. Thinking of you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last May and i still miss him so much. May he Rest In Peace and May your heart be filled for all the love you shared.
Losing a parent is one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced. And sadly, I lost both of mine within two years. I’ve found that it does help to talk to others who have also experienced this kind of loss. Everyone is so sympathetic and kind, but only those who have lost a parent themselves truly understand it. Hugs to you, Kimberly, and thanks so much for reaching out to me. ❤️-Niky