Watch as one uniform batter turns into three magical layers with this Blood Orange Magic Custard Cake!
Mmmmm... Blood Oranges! Do I really need to say more?
Probably. Because for some reason, I am not sure why, it took me until now to realize how awesome blood oranges are. Their intoxicating, fragrant aroma put me under their magical spell this winter, I must say. I always thought they were too sour/bitter like grapefruit and just never tried them before. Well boy was I wrong.
I Discovered These Delights By Chance, and By Smell
As we were walking through the produce aisle in the grocery store earlier this year, suddenly a wonderful aroma filled my nose and I couldn't quite place it. I looked around and realized the magical smell was coming from a large display of juicy blood oranges. I just HAD to pick up a bag. Something that smells so heavenly has to be good, right? If not, I could always just mix them in with my smoothies.
At home, I couldn't wait to try them. I quickly sliced one up, and to my surprise, it was wonderfully sweet! My nose did not fail me! As such, a love relationship was born.
Trying Magic Custard Cake For Myself
Since that one fateful day, I am picking up a bag of blood oranges with our weekly groceries. And I will continue doing so as long as possible. I heard their season ends by May at the latest 🙁 Stock up, we must!
Other than eating the freshly cut slices, I thought it would be fun to bake with this colorful citrus fruit. Magic custard cake has been on my to-bake list since it first started appearing on the food porn sites. When I came across a citrus version, I knew I had to adapt it with blood oranges. Yippee!
One Batter Turns Into Three Layers!
In case you are unfamiliar with magic custard cake, it is made from just one uniform batter, but while baking, it magically separates into three different layers (although only three were very pronounced in my cake). The top is a very light, airy cake layer, followed by denser, pudding-like custard layers.
I baked one vanilla and one blood orange version. That's why you see the loaf pan pictured. However, the recipe below is for an 8-inch square pan.
The blood orange juice in the batter gives the custard layer a slight bluish tint. If this bothers you, you could always add a few drops of red food coloring to the batter to make it look more like red blood orange juice. Whatever floats your boats, my friends. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this magical recipe!
Random Questions
The magic custard cake is designed to separate into distinct layers during the baking process due to the varying densities of its components. As the batter bakes, the heavier particles sink to the bottom, creating the custard layer, while the lighter components rise to form the cake layer. This unique separation is what gives the magic custard cake its characteristic three-layered appearance.
A traditional orange cake often includes ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, butter or oil, and freshly squeezed orange juice and zest. Some recipes may also incorporate additional elements like yogurt, buttermilk, or orange extract to enhance the citrus flavor.
The main ingredients for this delightful cake include eggs, sugar, butter, flour, milk, and of course, the star of the show, blood oranges. The specific measurements and instructions for creating the magic custard cake are provided in the recipe.
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Check out these similar recipes!
Recipe
Blood Orange Magic Custard Cake
Ingredients
- 4 eggs separated
- pinch of salt or cream of tartar
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup butter melted and cooled
- ¾ cup flour
- 1 ½ cup milk lukewarm
- ½ cup blood orange juice from about 3 oranges
- 1 tablespoon blood orange zest
- blood orange slices for topping; from 2 oranges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease an 8-inch square pan and set aside.
- In clean, grease-free bowl beat the egg whites with salt or cream of tartar until stiff. Set aside.
- In another bowl beat the egg yolks with water, sugar and vanilla until light. Add melted butter and beat for another minute. Then mix in the flour.
- Add the lukewarm milk (cold milk will harden the butter), blood orange juice and zest and beat until incorporated.
- Using a spatula, gently fold in beaten egg whites.
- Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, place blood orange slices on top and bake for another 30 minutes or until the top is golden.
- Cool for at least 3 hours before slicing and serving.
Pin Blood Orange Magic Custard Cake recipe for later?
Recipe adapted from Kitchen Nostalgia
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
Mmmmm, I love blood oranges and I've been meaning to give magic custard cake a try since seeing it on Pinterest. Sounds divine and your photos look deeelicious!!
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen
I've always been a little scared of blood oranges, I think because of the word "blood" in there. But this looks fantastic and I think I'm going to have to give blood oranges a second chance!
Regina
Definitely give them a second chance! I just read that the deep red colour of blood oranges is mainly antioxidants. Isn't that alone a good reason to try some?