Blood Orange Cake Loaf

Preheat oven to 350f (180c). Prepare a 9x5 loaf pan by spraying with avocado oil and sprinkling with granulated sugar. Set aside.

To a small mixing bowl add 1 1/2 c sugar and 2 TBSP blood orange zest. using your hands rub the zest into the sugar till it has the consistency of wet sand. This releases oils from the zest creating a more powerful citrus flavor.

To a medium mixing bowl add butter and sugar mixture. Cream together for about 3 minutes till fluffy and turn a light pale color. Add in eggs and mix again for another 3 minutes getting it back to that fluffy texture and pale color. Add in salt and baking powder and mix till combined. Then add in blood orange juice and whisk together. 

 Add half the flour folding into the batter. Alternate adding in the milk and mix just till combined. Add the rest of the flour and fold in gently being sure not over mix (for more information on this be sure to read the post)

Add batter to your loaf pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. Once it is fully baked (poke with a metal prong if soft crumbs come out it is done) take out of the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes  before turning the loaf out of the pan. I love this trick for a clean release every time. Let cake cool completely before adding glaze.


While cake cools mix together the powdered sugar and blood orange. You want it to be the consistency of Elmer's glue. Add more powdered sugar to thicken it and more blood orange juice to make it thinner. Por on top of cooled cake. Slice and enjoy. I especially love this recipe for a Sunday brunch or lazy Saturday morning.