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Upside-Down Ombré Citrus Cake

Upside-Down Ombré Citrus Cake

This Upside-Down Ombré Citrus Cake features layers of winter citrus and a moist cake batter, reminiscent of an orange creamsicle.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 352 kcal

Equipment

  • 8 x 11-inch baking dish
  • Small saucepan
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula

Ingredients
  

ORANGE SYRUP

  • ¾ stick unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice (60 mL)

CITRUS

  • 1 blood orange thinly sliced
  • 1 cara cara orange
  • 1 navel orange thinly sliced
  • 1 meyer lemon thinly sliced

ORANGE VANILLA CAKE BATTER

  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream (240 g), room temperature
  • ½ cup water (120 mL)
  • ⅓ cup melted butter (75 g)
  • 1 navel orange zested
  • 1 navel orange
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 box vanilla cake mix
  • 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Generously grease an 8 x 11-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Make the orange syrup: Add the butter, sugar, and orange juice to a small saucepan. Whisk to combine, then cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, 4–5 minutes.
  • Pour the orange syrup into the prepared baking dish. Starting from a short side of the baking dish, arrange the blood orange slices vertically, overlapping slightly to fit as many slices as possible. Continue with the cara cara slices, then navel orange slices, then Meyer lemon slices to create an ombré effect.
  • Make the cake batter: Add the eggs, sour cream, water, melted butter, orange zest and juice, and vanilla to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cake mix and pudding mix and fold with a rubber spatula to incorporate. Pour the batter into the baking dish, spreading evenly.
  • Bake the cake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool for 15 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

This cake is a beautiful showstopper that tastes like an orange creamsicle.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 3gFat: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 41g
Keyword baking, Cake, citrus cake, Dessert, ombree, orange
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