Blood Orange and Rosemary Upside Down Cake
by meike peters
I already had my post written for today’s bright orange Sunday cake, but then, yesterday’s news from the US hit me. It felt so wrong to just write about a recipe, my mood, my day; why should I write about me and my food, when on the other side of the Atlantic, a single man throws everything away that our so called civilized world claims to stand for. How can we, or the president of the United States, ban citizens from certain countries (Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria) from putting their feet onto American ground?
I’m German, my country’s history shows what happens when we tolerate and support the insane actions of a single man. Didn’t we learn anything? Is it still possible for us to allow a man to run a country who doesn’t show the slightest feeling of compassion? Didn’t we, in the western world, hypocrites, arrogantly accuse other countries of exactly that?
Before I was sad, now I’m concerned.
And yes, I baked a cake. It’s an upside down cake – for an upside down world – made with Sicilian blood oranges. It looks like a glowing Mediterranean sunset, peaceful. Some prefer to cut off the citrus fruits’ peel, I leave mine on for a tangy touch. I first sliced and then cooked three fruits in sugar water with a sprig of fresh rosemary to infuse the pulp. About half an hour later they were soft, ready to become the fruity base of a light and fluffy upside down cake, thanks to beaten egg white folded into the batter. The citrus is very present, which I like, the herbal note is subtle. If you prefer you can use less fruits, but I recommend creating a thick juicy layer of orange slices. They keep the cake wonderfully moist and fruity, also on the second day.
Blood Orange and Rosemary Upside Down Cake
Makes 1 (20 1/2cm / 8″) cake
For the oranges
water 120ml / 1/2 cup
granulated sugar 100g / 1/2 cup
organic blood oranges, rinsed, scrubbed, and the ends cut off, 3
medium sprig of rosemary 1, plus a few needles finely chopped (optional)
For the dough
plain flour 200g / 1 1/2 cups
baking powder 2 teaspoons
butter, at room temperature, 80g / 1/3 cup
granulated sugar 150g / 3/4 cup
organic eggs, separated, 2
vanilla pod, split and scraped, 1/2
milk 100ml / 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon
fine sea salt 1/8 teaspoon
Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F. Butter and line a 20 1/2cm / 8″springform pan.
For the oranges, in a large saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil over medium high heat. Stir and let the sugar dissolve. Cut the oranges into thin slices. Reduce the heat to medium, layer the orange slices in the sugar water, and simmer gently for about 25-30 minutes or until soft, but still in shape. Using a slotted ladle, transfer the orange slices to a large plate and let them cool for a few minutes. Add the rosemary to the pot with the orange syrup and set aside.
For the dough, in a medium bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. In a large bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and vanilla seeds and continue mixing for about 1 minute or until well combined. Quickly beat in the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the milk. Beat the egg white and salt until soft peaks form and fold into the dough.
Arrange the orange slices on the bottom and sides of the prepared pan, fold some of the slices into the corners (see 2nd picture). Scrape the dough on top of the fruits, even it out and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and spongy. Check with a skewer, it should come out clean. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before you flip it over, gently remove the parchment paper.
Bring the rosemary orange syrup to a boil over high heat and let it cook for about 2 minutes, let it cool for a couple minutes. Brush the top of the cake with the syrup and arrange the rosemary sprig on top. Sprinkle with a little additional chopped rosemary and enjoy!
Very interesting cake! I am fascinated in how you use fresh herbs in surprising ways and combinations. Specifically with sweet things as I tend to think of herbs as savory. As an American I share your concerns for it is a scary time for my democracy at the moment. I take heart that there is not a majority in my country that feel this way and that the people who disagree are making themselves heard. I cried when he was elected but comfort myself in the knowledge that he will eventually be gone. My hope is that my country will learn from this and will come out the other end more evolved and that the damage can be undone.
Thank you! Adding fresh herbs to sweets, especially to citrus, brings out new qualities, I find it very inspiring. I love traditional baking, but sometimes it’s fun to play a little with flavours and combinations.
It’s sad to see how much a man and his followers can destroy, but it’s beautiful to see how many people stand up and raise their voice. This gives me so much hope!
Gorgeous cake…your photos are beautiful.
Meike, you have every right to be worried about the mad man that is at the helm in the USA…any sane person should be concerned. It is my hope that the Republicans can grow a spine and impeach this buffoon.
Hope you have a great week.
Thank you, Marigene! Hopefully more and more people will see clearly and raise their voice. All the best!
The cake looks delicious. While I understand your concerns, and appreciate your right to share them in any forum you choose, I was disappointed to see a recipe post adulterated by politics. It has occurred in a number of blogs that I receive, and it is disappointing every time. Everytime I open my computer to face book it is in my face, and I would love for my other things I read to be just about what I open them for. Just sharing my thoughts here and in no way mean any disrespect. Please feel free to delete this message. I just didn’t know where else to tell you. Also, just to address your concern, the media has vastly exaggerated what the order includes. Here is a well written, unbiased article that compares this to what has been precedent in the past, including under Obama until the last year. It is insightful, and pointed out things of which I was unaware. Please read it; it may help.
Dear Becky, thanks for sharing your opinion, my blog has always been a place where I share my recipes and my opinion and that will never change. A blog is a personal platform written by an author who should have her / his own point of view, if this isn’t the case, it’s a neutral platform and not a personal blog. My perception of the political situation is not based on media hype, it’s based on the actions and words shared by the US president himself. To call the current situation an exaggeration is more than dangerous in my eyes, and as someone who felt the danger of such belittlement in her own country, inadmissible. I deleted the link as I can’t take responsibility for links that aren’t added by myself. I did read it and it only served to confirm my concerns.
I just found your blog-so lovely and inspiring! Thank you for sharing your voice. Sincerely, Mary
Thank you, Mary!