I am very fond of upside down cakes, and bake them often in the summer, with all the juicy ripe fruits. Now that it’s the midst of winter, the selection of fruits at the store is far from bountiful, so I realized it was time for experimenting.
I’ve decided to prepare the cake with oranges, but most recipes I’ve checked called for cooking the unpeeled orange slices first in heavy syrup, while I wanted a quicker and lighter procedure. So I’ve opted to use peeled oranges instead, and hoped the orange slices will hold their shape after baking.
While at it, I decided to add some anise seeds to the fruit layer, as I’m very fond of orange-anise combination (like in THIS recipe tasty cookies). I also scattered some sliced almonds all around for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
While baking, the kitchen was filled with amazing aroma of orange and anise. Once the cake was done, the result was very pleasing: the cake had wonderful flavor and the bright color of the oranges was just the perfect spirit uplifting needed on a very cold winter day. I have no doubt I’ll be baking this cake again. Try it and enjoy.
Makes: 8
Prep time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 35-40 minutes
Ingredients:
2 large oranges
For the fruit layer:
1/3 stick (35 grams) butter, soft
1/3 cup sugar
Orange slices (see step 1)
1 heaped tsp Anise seeds
¼ cup sliced blanched almonds
For the batter:
½ cup milk (see step 1)
½ cup fresh orange juice (see step 1)
2 Tbs orange zest (see step 1)
2/3 stick (70 grams) butter, soft
¾ cup sugar
2 L eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1½ cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
Dash salt
1. Wash and dry the oranges. Grate the zest from one of the oranges and measure 2 Tbs. With a sharp knife, remove the rind and slice into medium thick slices. Juice the second orange and measure ½ cup juice. In a small bowl, mix the milk, orange juice and orange zest.
2. Preheat the oven to 355F (180C). Spread the butter for the fruit layer over the bottom of a 9½” (24cm) deep cake pan. Sprinkle the sugar over the butter. Arrange the orange slices on top and sprinkle the anise seeds and sliced almonds all around. Place the pan in the fridge while preparing the batter.
3. The batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the butter and sugar , then add the eggs and vanilla. Add the milk-orange mix and whisk again. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk to a smooth batter.
4. Pour the batter over the fruit layer, from the center and out. Don’t spread the batter all the way to the sides of the pan (this will make it easier to release the cake from the pan after baking).
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. Take out of the oven and let the cake stand for 1 minute in the pan.
6. Place a plate (the size of the pan or bigger) on top of the pan. Using oven mitts (remember, the pan is still hot!) hold both the plate and pan together, and turn the pan upside down over the plate, and, carefully, remove the pan. If some bits still stick to the pan, scrape them gently and add to the top of the cake. Let cool to room temperature before slicing.
Beautiful!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
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Thank you Natascha! So nice to hear. 🙂
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I imagine the anise will give this orange-almond cake a nice twist, lovely.
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Thank you Nicole. The anise added so much. It really works so well oranges. I was very glad I added it. 🙂
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I can imagine, I haven’t used anise in ages but this sounds so good.
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Yes, it’s not a type of seasoning to be used freely in any dish, but with certain ones, like here, it elevates the whole dish.
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Scratching at the screen! Swoon!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
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lol Thank you Judie! Mission accomplished! 🙂
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The aroma of orange and anise…. must be beautiful!!
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Thank you, it really was! 🙂
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Wow! Beautiful cake and love the flavours! 🙂
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Thank you Lili! It is a great compliment, especially from such an accomplished baker like you. 🙂
I was very happy with the results. I’ll definitely make it again. 🙂
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You’re welcome and really thank you! I must pin this recipe. 🙂
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I love upside down cakes too! Instant elegance!
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Thank you Carol. I totally agree! 🙂
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Looks really good! I love anything that has orange. Will have to try this..
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Thank you! Glad to know you liked the recipe. I hope you’ll enjoy the results. I’ll be happy to hear your comments. 🙂
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Book marked!!! Can’t wait to try this one, Ronit:))
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Thank you Sangeeta! I’m very glad to hear. I hope you’ll enjoy the results and I’ll be happy to hear your comments. 🙂
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Sounds good!
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That looks absolutely amazing!! Sure it tastes as good as it looks 😀
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Thank you Krissi! 🙂
It was very tasty and I definitely plan on making it again soon. 🙂
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Hi Chef Ronit-lovely combination! YUM!!!
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Hi Cheryl and thank you. I’m glad you liked this very “citrusy” cake… 🙂
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And…you know Chef I love Citrus!!! LOL
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I know! Me too! 😀
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It looks delicious Ronit and I love the color! 🙂
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Thank you Linda! The color was just perfect for a cold gloomy winter’s day! 🙂
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Lovely!! We love upside down cakes too and especially the orange ones come out great…This looks delicious with the almonds:))
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Thank you Shy! I’m glad to find another upside-down cake enthusiast. I was experimenting here and was happy the oranges kept their shape even after peeling. 🙂
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This looks and sounds great, I do a similar gluten free one they always go down well.
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Thank you Jason, for your nice comment and follow. 🙂
I looked at your gluten-free version. It looks wonderful!
Here I wanted something lighter and without the step of cooking the unpeeled oranges first. I was pleased at how well it worked. 🙂
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This looks so good ! I bet it tasted great also !
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Thank you Anita! I was very tasty indeed. I will definitely make it again soon. 🙂
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I am sure your kitchen smelled wonderful while your cake baked. I have never made an upside-down-cake but I really like the look of yours 🙂
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Thank you Judi! 🙂
It was definitely one of the most aromatic cakes I’ve baked in a while.
Upside down cakes got a bad name with all the canned fruits and cake mixes many recipes call for, but when done right, they are really wonderful. Worth a try! 🙂
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Another beauty, Ronit! Such a fusion of flavors!
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Thank you Lana! I was very pleased with how it came out. Will definitely bake it again soon. 🙂
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Saving this to try a gluten-free version without sugar. Thanks!
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Thank you Diana! Sounds like a good plan! I’ll check it out when you do. 🙂
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Love the combination of orange, anise, and almonds! Your cake looks so bright and happy- and delicious!
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Thank you Jean! So nice to hear. 🙂
It was really the perfect cake for a grayish winter’s day! 🙂
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Orange and almond is one of my favorite combinations to incorporate in a sweet recipe and I LOVE the recipe you’ve shared here, Ronit! The final product is so pretty to look at, I imagine each bite was savored…at least until the next forkful entered the mouth! Yum!
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Thank you Nancy! 🙂
I too am very fond of oranges and almonds together. it’s such a great combination. This, and the bright sunny color, made it a very comforting cake to have on a gloomy winter’s day. 🙂
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Yummy!!!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Gorgeous Ronit!
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Thank you Antonia! 🙂
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What an interesting twist for an upside-down cake! This looks wonderful. I never would have thought of using these ingredients.
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Thank you Sheryl! I enjoy playing with ingredients. Usually it works and this one is definitely a keeper. 🙂
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Wow, loving this upside down cake and all the ingredients. I’m sure the anise seeds gave it an amazing flavor. Will have to try this sometime, as I love oranges and almonds.
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Thank you Loretta. I’m glad to hear and hope you’ll enjoy the results. I’ll be happy to hear your comments. 🙂
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How lucky for me that you are willing to experiment. This looks just lovely, Ronit.
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Thank you Mary! 🙂
I do enjoy the experiments and I’m glad others can benefit from them as well. 🙂
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Oh my Ronit, I am ready for my evening cup of tea now 🙂
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Thank you Nandini! Wish I could transfer you a piece… 😀
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I really do enjoy a citrus-y cake, Ronit, and yours here sounds delicious. I especially like the addition of anise. I bet it brings a nice flavor to the cake, a totally unexpected one. 🙂
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Thank you John! It was a very delicious combination, with the anise adding such wonderful aroma and, as you said, some unexpected flavor. Highly recommended. 🙂
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This looks really yummy!! Def going to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy the results. I’ll be happy to hear your comments.:)
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What a gorgeous cake Ronit!
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Thank you Lindy! I was very pleased with this cake. I’m now hunting for blood oranges for the next one… 🙂
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mmm looks so tasty :))
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Thank you! 🙂
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Oh my! This looks so goood!
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Thank you Isable. I’m glad you liked the recipe. The cake disappeared very quickly! 🙂
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wow….looks amazing…
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Thank you bhumika! 🙂
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This just sounds lovely, I really love the anise-twist!
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Thank you Petra, I’m glad you liked the recipe. The anise adds so much flavor and aroma and matches the oranges beautifully. I highly recommend it. 🙂
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This is one I have to try… will let you know how it turns out
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Hope you’ll enjoy it! 🙂
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