Upside-Down Orange Cake

recipe

• Step 1
  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Wash the oranges & cut off the stems. Slice 1 orange in half, setting half of it aside. Finely slice the rest of the oranges, leaving the rind on. (A mandoline is very helpful!)
• Step 2
  Combine the orange slices, 1 cup of water & half the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Step 3
  Bring it to a boil. Then cover & simmer for 15 min.
• Step 4
  Sift the flour, baking powder & a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. (A sieve makes a great sifter!) In a smaller bowl, add the zest & juice from the reserved half orange. Then beat in the eggs, vanilla (optional) & the rest of the sugar.
• Step 5
  Drizzle the olive oil in a thin stream into the wet ingredients, beating constantly. Then beat in the milk.
• Step 6
  Make a well in the center of dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the well. Combine the batter with a few swift strokes, being careful not to over mix it.
• Step 7
  Remove the oranges from the heat.
• Step 8
  Grease a cake pan. Then line it with parchment paper. Arrange the orange slices in a snug single layer in the bottom of the cake pan. Reserve the orange cooking liquid in the pot.
• Step 9
  Pour the batter over the orange slices. Bake for 35 min at 350°F. When a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, it's done!
• Step 10
  While the cake is baking, place the pot of orange cooking liquid over medium-low heat. Add the honey (optional). Stir & simmer until the liquid is reduced into a syrup. Turn off the heat & set aside.
• Step 11
  When the cake is done, remove it from the oven. Let it cool for 5 min. Then slide a knife around the edges to loosen the cake.
• Step 12
  Top the cake pan with a large serving plate. Hold it in place & quickly flip over the cake. Carefully remove the parchment paper.
• Step 13
  Pour the orange syrup over the cake.
• Step 14
  Slice, serve & enjoy!