Citrusy & Irresistible! Recipe
This Golden Upside-Down Orange Cake is a buttery, moist, and irresistibly citrusy dessert that combines the sweet caramelized flavor of brown sugar with fresh orange slices. Perfectly tender with a hint of vanilla and orange zest, this cake is a delightful way to showcase the bright, zesty flavors of oranges in a classic upside-down presentation.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Caramel Base
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 oranges, thinly sliced
Cake Batter
- 1 ½ cups flour (190 g)
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter, softened (115 g)
- ¾ cup sugar (150 g)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup orange juice (120 ml)
- ¼ cup milk (60 ml)
Optional
- Orange glaze or freshly grated orange zest for garnish
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Heat oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a round cake pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make Caramel Base: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons of brown sugar over low heat until caramelized. Spread this evenly on the bottom of the prepared cake pan.
- Arrange Orange Slices: Neatly place thinly sliced oranges over the caramel layer, ensuring even coverage to create the beautiful upside-down topping.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together 1 ½ cups flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large mixing bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter and ¾ cup sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 2 eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Mix Batter: Alternately add the dry ingredients and liquids—starting and ending with dry ingredients—while mixing gently: ½ cup orange juice and ¼ cup milk. Combine until the batter is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter evenly over the arranged orange slices in the pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Invert: Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan (about 10 minutes), then carefully invert onto a serving plate. Optionally, drizzle with orange glaze or sprinkle freshly grated orange zest before serving for an extra citrus burst.
Notes
- Use fresh, thinly sliced oranges for the best caramelization and flavor.
- Ensure the butter and sugar for creaming are at room temperature for easy mixing.
- You can substitute milk with buttermilk or almond milk for variation.
- To make an orange glaze, mix powdered sugar with a little orange juice until smooth and drizzle on top once the cake is cooled.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: upside-down cake, orange cake, citrus dessert, caramel cake, homemade cake, baking recipe, orange upside-down cake, buttery cake