Blood Orange Brown Sugar Loaf Cake
DESSERT - BAKING - RECIPES - OPTIONAL SUBSTITUTES INCLUDED FOR DAIRY AND/OR GLUTEN FREE
What do you get when you mix blood orange and brown sugar? My answer is something delicious. Right now, that delicious something is this beautiful Blood Orange Brown Sugar Loaf Cake. I could not let the citrus season pass without creating something from blood oranges. This cake is amazing!
The blood orange has a sweet, tart flavor that is deliciously paired with brown sugar. The brown sugar mellows out the tartness of the blood orange to create a rich but magical citrus, almost floral, flavor that is out of this world. It also has the addition of tangy Greek yogurt, brightness of lemon, and sweet vanilla. The cake itself is moist, rich, and has a beautiful soft mouthfeel when it comes to the texture. This recipe is a win on every level! I definitely hope you try it.
Ingredients
Butter: Vegan (Non-Dairy) or Dairy
Dark Brown Sugar: I prefer dark brown sugar due to the higher amount of molasses but light brown will work as well.
Blood Orange Zest: Increases the blood orange flavor profile within the cake loaf and the icing
Lemon Zest: The lemon zest adds additional brightness to the recipe while pairing exceptionally well with the blood orange, brown sugar, and vanilla flavors.
Eggs: This recipe calls for 4 eggs which adds to the richness of the overall cake
Vanilla Extract: The vanilla enhances the flavor profile of the citrus and brown sugar
All-Purpose or Gluten Free Flour: This recipe can be made using gluten free flour (pictured). If you decide to use gluten free flour, bake it at 350 F for 30 minutes and then decrease the heat to 325 F for the remaining time.
Baking Powder: Used as a leavening agent to provide rise for the cake
Salt
Blood Orange Juice: You obtain this from squeezing the juice from about 2-3 blood oranges. It will be added to the batter and also used to create the blood orange icing. You can adjust the amount of blood orange juice you add to your icing to get the viscosity you desire. The more blood orange juice you add to your powdered sugar the thinner the icing will be.
Greek Yogurt (dairy or vegan): This adds a nice tanginess to the rich, sweet, citrus flavors
Powdered Sugar: The powdered sugar is used to create the blood orange icing
Beautiful citrusy, sweet, and brightly flavored
Blood Orange Brown Sugar Loaf Cake
Blood Orange Loaf Cake
Yield: one 9x5 loaf cake
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter (vegan or dairy), softened
1 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tsp blood orange zest
2 tsp lemon zest
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose or gluten free flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup blood orange juice
1/2 cup Greek yogurt (dairy or vegan)
Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 tbsps blood orange juice
1/2 - 1 tsp blood orange zest
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease/oil a loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
In a small to medium size bowl, thoroughly mix the brown sugar, blood orange zest, and lemon zest together. Sit to the side while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.
In a separate medium size bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sit the flour mixture to the side.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy
Add the eggs one at a time blending in between additions
Mix the greek yogurt, blood orange juice, and vanilla extract in a bowl and stir until completely mixed.
Add the flour mixture and the wet ingredients (greek yogurt and blood orange mixture) to the batter being sure to alternate between the two. Start and end with the flour mixture by adding it in three additions with the wet mixture in between. Blend with the electric mixer between each addition just until everything is wet and combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and insert into the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a tooth pick or fork inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely, at least 2 hours, before adding the icing.
In a medium sized bowl, add your powdered sugar, blood orange juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
Pour the icing evenly over the top of the cake loaf. Allow the icing to set for at least an hour after pouring over the cake loaf.
Enjoy!