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Impress your guests with this easy citrus cake! It’s an orange upside cake using 3 different oranges for 3 different colors! Celebrate citrus season with a citrus upside down cake.
I’m baaaack with MORE citrus! I know this glorious season of oranges, grapefruits and the other round, juicy, delicious fruits are coming to a close so I’m doing as much as I can with them while they’re still around and everyone moves on to chocolates for Valentine’s Day!
While I’m not a big New Year’s Resolution person, one thing I said to myself was that I need to eat more cake and chocolate (hah)! I know, kind of a backwards resolution right? But seriously, cake is one of my favourite things and I deprive myself of it too much. Life is short! Plus, baking and decorating cakes is just so fun.
So, while this orange upside down cake does all the decorating for itself, it’s still cake. OOOH is it ever!
The cake is moist and slightly dense, with a light citrus flavor. The oranges are covered in a sweet and sticky glaze. It’s so delicious!
What oranges do you use for this citrus upside down cake?
All of them! More specifically, the ones you want to use. You can use blood oranges, navel oranges, cara cara, or even mandarin! Use just one of those or all of the different types for a fun color scheme!
Do you have to use a rectangular pan for the cake?
For this recipe, I used my standard 8″x8″ baking pan, but you could definitely use a round 9″ cake pan as well. The bake time will be similar, but as always, be sure to check for readiness my using a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake! If it comes out clean, you know it’s done ๐
Whether you use a round pan or a square pan, I would first put down a piece of parchment paper in the pan, with the edges overhanging the sides of the pan. It will make your life much easier when you go to flip the cake!
So, what if the oranges don’t fit perfectly in the pan?
They won’t! How to get past this while still creating a beautiful cake is by inserting small pieces of the fruit into the gaps between the oranges. Once it’s all baked it looks terrific!
A tip for peeling and cutting the oranges:
After a few unsuccessful peeling and cutting attempts, I can highly recommend to you that you should slice the oranges into rounds BEFORE peeling them. This will ensure that the oranges remain firm while slicing, to create even cuts! Once the orange is peeled and sliced into 1/2″ rounds, I like to use a small paring knife to make little cuts around the edge of the orange before removing the peel! Try to remove as much of the white pith as possible, as this part tends to be a little bitter.
Can you store the cake at room temperature?
Yes! But only for 2-3 days, and then I would move the cake to the refrigerator, if it makes it that long! Be sure to store the cake in an airtight container.
Put some sunshine into your life with this orange upside down cake!
Some other citrusy recipes for you to enjoy!
PrintOrange Upside Down Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 5-6 servings 1x
Description
Impress your guests with this easy citrus cake! It’s an orange upside cake using 3 different oranges for 3 different colors!
Ingredients
Glaze
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Cake
- 3–4 oranges*, sliced into 1/2” slices, peel removed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk**
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and line an 8″x8″ standard baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the ends of the paper to overhang on the sides. Whisk together the melted butter with the brown sugar, and then pour this mixture all over the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Place the peeled orange slices, side by side, into the bottom of the pan, on top of the glaze. Fill in all of the gaps with small pieces of orange (see blog post above for photos and directions).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a handheld electric mixer, beat the softened butter with both sugars, on medium-high, until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again. Add half of the dry ingredients, and mix together on low, slowly, for about 30 seconds. Add the milk, and the remaining dry ingredients, and mix again on low for 15-20 seconds. Add the orange juice, and mix again, on low until all ingredients are incorporated. Pour the cake batter on top of the pan with the prepared oranges, spreading it with a spatula to make it even. Place the pan in the preheated oven, and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check the cake after 40 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center; if the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done. If there is batter on the stick, bake for another 5 minutes. Remove the cake, and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before inverting the cake on to a cake stand or plate.***
- Allow the cake to cool completely, before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, for 2-3 days, or 4-5 days in the fridge. I would not recommend freezing the prepared cake.
Notes
*Use whatever oranges you like; the amount you need will vary on the size of the orange, but you’ll need 3-4. I used a mixture of blood oranges, cara cara, medium navel and mandarin. See the above blog post for tips on slicing and peeling the oranges.
**You can use dairy milk or non-dairy (almond, coconut)
***If the top of the cake is uneven, and rounded, use a serrated knife to even out the cake a bit before inverting it.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: cakes
- Method: baking
Upside down cakes are so much fun, aren’t they?? This one looks so bright and sunny and just what we need around here lately! Pinned and can’t wait to try. Such a show stopper, my friend ๐
They are SO fun aren’t they!? Thanks Dawn!! I’m sure you’re in desperate need of some bright sunshine with all of your snow!!! Thanks my friend, happy weekend!!
This is a beauty! Love citrus season and this is a great way to enjoy it! Great tips for cutting the oranges too. I definitely would have peeled them first and then tried to slice. Pinning and hope to give it a try before citrus season ends!
I looooove citrus too!! I just stocked up on oranges and grapefruits again this morning! I did peel them first before slicing and it was a messy disaster, haha! Thanks Leanne!
I have an upside-down cake coming next week (I think?) but mine isn’t as pretty as yours. I LOVE the gorgeous citrus! This will brighten up the darkest winter days! Have a great weekend, my dear!
Oh yay! I’m sure yours will be gorgeous, as all of your desserts are. I should really stop visiting your blog haha! My sweet tooth hurts every time ๐ Have a great weekend too!!
Bring on all the citrus Katherine! This is such a gorgeous cake. Pinned and excited to try!
Thanks Mary Ann! I’m loving all the bright and sunny citrus too!!
Oh my goodness!! This orange upside down cake looks absolutely beautiful! I can only imagine how yummy it tastes!!
Thank you sooo much Kelly! Wish I could offer you a slice from here!
This cake is absolutely vibrant, Katherine. I love it! Pinning this so I don’t forget to try!
Thank you Marissa!! I love all of the colors ๐ Happy weekend my friend!
Katherine, this cake is so gorgeous! And I absolutely love orange desserts! Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks Kelly!! I bet you will love it!!
After almost a whole day wasted at the airports the whole batch would be just fine for my son and me ๐ Thank you dear !
Oh no, sorry about the airport fun (or lack of)! You definitely need some cake!
I love your delicious upside down cake, not only is it beautiful but it looks SUPER tasty my friend!
Thank you so much Christie!! It was super fun to make!
This orange upside down cake is SO beautiful Katherine! It’s such a perfect pop of sunshine in the dreary and cold winter!! I also love your tip about cutting the oranges; pretty sure I would have tried peeling them first too. Thanks for taking one for the team and teaching us the right way!๐. Oh, and I am FULLY on board with eating more cake this year!!
I thought it was a good tip, since I tried it the first time and got mushed oranges everywhere! I knew you’d be on board with my cake resolution ๐ Thank you Tasia!!