• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Live to Sweet
  • Contact
  • About
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cakes and Cupcakes

    Orange Upside Down Cake

    February 24, 2021 by Amee 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I've wanted to make a cake like this for a long time. I mean, how can you resist this beauty? With it's gorgeous colors and only slight sweetness, I think this Orange Upside Down Cake could even pass for breakfast! (Because that's what we did...)

    Orange Upside Down Cake

    This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ll never link to anything I don’t use and love! Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

    This Orange Upside Down Cake is a tender orange olive oil cake with orange slices that candy in the bottom of the pan as the cake bakes. Once done, the cake is inverted to reveal the beautiful oranges!

    If you enjoy this recipe, check out the posts for my Champagne Citrus Tart, Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze, and Ginger Grapefruit Tart!

    I used several types of oranges for this recipe, but you can use whatever variety you prefer. I liked the contrast in color between the navel, cara cara, and blood oranges. It is worth noting, however, that I used the navel orange juice in the recipe because I didn't want the pinkish color from the blood oranges.

    Orange Upside Down Cake

    This recipe uses both cake flour and semolina flour for the perfect texture! If you can't find them in your local grocery store, you can find cake flour [here] and semolina flour [here].

    Collage of Easter Desserts.

    Sign up!

    Never miss a recipe! Sign up as a Live to Sweet VIP and receive a weekly newsletter with recipes and tips--no spam ever! Sign up here

    Orange Upside Down Cake

    I used a 9" springform pan for this recipe, like this one [here]. I highly recommend using a springform pan for this cake, since it would be much harder to invert the cake from a regular cake pan.

    Orange Upside Down Cake

    Make sure you're careful of any juices that may leak out of your springform pan! Placing the pan on a baking sheet in the oven and taking extra care when opening and inverting the pan after baking are musts!

    Orange Upside Down Cake

    I had planned on serving this beauty with freshly whipped cream, but found myself out of heavy cream! I settled on a sweetened orange sour cream instead. So good! It really complements the slight sweetness of the cake. Love when things work out in the kitchen like that! <3

    Other Posts You May Like

    • Champagne Citrus Tart on a white stand with flutes of champagne nearby.
      Champagne Citrus Tart
    • Stack of Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze.
      Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze
    • Ginger Grapefruit Tart
    • Slice of Chocolate Orange Cake with chocolate and dried oranges nearby.
      Chocolate Orange Cake

    Recipe barely adapted from Claire Saffitz's Dessert Person (link here).

    Orange Upside Down Cake

    Amee
    A just-sweet-enough orange olive oil cake topped with candied navel, cara cara, and blood oranges! Served with a sweetened sour cream, you can definitely sneak this one in as breakfast!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Cakes
    Servings 12 slices
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you bake!

    Ingredients
      

    "Candied" Oranges:

    • 3-4 medium oranges (I used navel, cara cara, and blood oranges)
    • 5 teaspoon orange juice (see note)
    • 5 tablespoon sugar

    Orange Olive Oil Cake:

    • 1⅓ cups cake flour (see note)
    • ½ cup semolina flour (see note)
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoon orange liqueur (I used triple sec)
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • 3 eggs
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1¼ cups extra virgin olive oil

    Sweetened Sour Cream:

    • 1 cup sour cream (I used full fat)
    • 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon orange juice (see note)
    • 2 teaspoon orange zest

    Instructions
     

    For Oranges:

    • Grease and line a 9" springform pan (see note) with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper, and set aside.
    • Cut oranges into ⅛-inch slices, saving the ends for juice. You want to cut them as thinly as possible so they candy better and less cake batter will seep through. You will need 25-30 slices, depending on the size of your oranges.
    • Combine the sugar and orange juice (see note). Pour this mixture into the prepared pan, tilting the pan until the bottom is coated.
    • Arrange the orange slices on the bottom, making sure to overlap them a bit to avoid cake batter seeping through. Set aside.

    For Cake:

    • Preheat the oven to 400° F. In a medium bowl, combine the cake and semolina flours (see note), baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In a small bowl, combine the orange liqueur and orange zest. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the eggs and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is light in color and, when the beater is lifted, a long ribbon falls from the beater into the bowl. This will take about 5 minutes.
    • With the mixer running on low, add the olive oil gradually in a continuous stream. Mix until incorporated and thick.
    • Add ⅓ of the flour, mixing until just before incorporated. Then add half the triple sec mixture and mix to combine. Repeat this process until you've used all the ingredients, ending with the last of the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
    • Gently pour the batter into the pan with the orange slices, and place the springform pan on a baking sheet (to catch any juices that may escape during baking). REDUCE OVEN HEAT TO 350°F and bake until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 45-55 minutes.
    • Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes, then remove the cake from the pan (being careful of any juices that may come out!). Invert the cake onto a wire rack. Remove the metal pan base and the parchment, and allow cake to cool. Can be served immediately, but is even better if, once cooled, wrapped in plastic and left on your counter for a day or two.

    For Sweetened Sour Cream:

    • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and dollop on top of or alongside cake slices. Also delicious with fresh whipped cream!
      Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note on orange juice: I used several types of oranges for this recipe, but you can use whatever variety you prefer. It is worth noting that I used the navel orange juice in the recipe because I didn't want the pinkish color from the blood oranges.
    Note on flours: This recipe uses both cake flour and semolina flour for the perfect texture! If you can't find them in your local grocery store, you can find cake flour [here] and semolina flour [here].
    Note on pan: I used a 9" springform pan for this recipe, like this one [here]. I highly recommend using a springform pan for this cake, since it would be much harder to invert the cake from a regular cake pan.
     

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate.

    Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear all about it! Leave a review below, then snap a pic and tag me on Instagram!

    More Cake and Cupcake Recipes from Scratch

    • Slice of Chocolate Ganache Cake with a blackberry on top.
      Chocolate Ganache Cake
    • Peach Cobbler Pound Cake on a white serving plate with fresh peach slices on top.
      Peach Cobbler Pound Cake with Bourbon Glaze
    • Strawberry Filled Cupcakes with fresh strawberries on top.
      Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
    • Slice of Blueberry Angel Food Cake with whipped cream and blueberries on a plate with a fork alongside.
      Blueberry Angel Food Cake

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Marika

      February 19, 2022 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      We really enjoyed the flavor and texture of this cake! I had a lot of batter leak through the oranges, but I think I just cut them a little too thick. I'll definitely try it again with thinner slices.

      Reply
      • Amee

        February 21, 2022 at 9:18 am

        Getting thin orange slices really is a challenge! So happy you enjoyed the recipe, Marika! Thanks so much for your review!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Amee, founder of Live to Sweet.

    Hi, I'm Amee! Here at Live to Sweet you'll find unique and flavorful dessert recipes. Always delicious, and always from scratch!

    Click for More About Me -->

    New & Seasonal Recipes

    • Lemon Curd Cookies on a silver cooling rack with a jar of lemon curd in the background.
      Lemon Curd Cookies
    • Slice of Lavender Lemon Cake on a white plate with lavender flowers alongside.
      Lavender Lemon Cake
    • Slice of Blueberry Angel Food Cake with whipped cream and blueberries on a plate with a fork alongside.
      Blueberry Angel Food Cake
    • honey sugar cookies with easter peep pattern on a white plate.
      Honey Cookies
    • Strawberry Filled Cupcakes with fresh strawberries on top.
      Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
    • Closeup of Raspberry and White Chocolate Loaf Cake on a tray.
      Raspberry White Chocolate Loaf Cake

    Follow Along with Me!

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Trending Recipes

    • Lemon Curd Cookies on a silver cooling rack with a jar of lemon curd in the background.
      Lemon Curd Cookies
    • Slice of Chocolate Ganache Cake with a blackberry on top.
      Chocolate Ganache Cake
    • Slice of Chocolate Orange Cake with chocolate and dried oranges nearby.
      Chocolate Orange Cake
    • Collage of four unique desserts.
      40+ Unique Desserts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Live to Sweet © 2018-2023. All Rights Reserved.