Name: Vegan Blood Orange Upside-Down Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 5-6 medium blood oranges; 1 1/2 tablespoons vegan butter (or extra-virgin olive oil); 3 tablespoons organic cane sugar (or raw sugar or demerara sugar); 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 heaping teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 cup plant-based milk (low-fat Oatly oat milk or almond milk); 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon almond extract (omit for nut-free or substitute with more vanilla extract); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients

5-6 medium blood oranges

1 1/2 tablespoons vegan butter (or extra-virgin olive oil)

3 tablespoons organic cane sugar (or raw sugar or demerara sugar)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 heaping teaspoon fine sea salt

1 cup plant-based milk (low-fat oat milk or almond milk)

⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon almond extract (omit for nut-free or replace with more vanilla extract)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).

Step 2: Grease a 9-inch springform pan with the vegan butter or olive oil. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the bottom and a bit on the sides, tapping the pan to coat it well.

Step 3: Peel the blood oranges and slice them into 1/8 to 1/4-inch rounds. Arrange them in concentric circles in the pan, overlapping to cover all gaps. Cut any oranges in half if needed for better coverage.

Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 5: In a separate bowl, combine the plant-based milk, olive oil, 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, apple cider vinegar, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.

Step 6: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a wooden spoon until just combined and no flour lumps remain.

Step 7: Pour the batter over the arranged orange slices and smooth the surface with a spatula. Tap the pan on the counter to release any air bubbles.

Step 8: Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The cake will be tender, fluffy, and moist.

Step 9: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully unclasp the springform and invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

Use slightly underripe blood oranges for more tartness or fully ripe for sweeter notes.

Swap almond extract for extra vanilla if you need a nut-free option.

Try using a mix of citrus fruits like pink grapefruit or navel oranges for a colorful twist.

Serve with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or vegan yogurt for extra indulgence.

FAQs

Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?

Yes, regular navel or Valencia oranges work well but will create a less dramatic color contrast. The flavor will still be bright and fresh.

Is this cake gluten-free?

This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. To make it gluten-free, substitute with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend and adjust baking time as needed.