Upside-Down Orange Cake

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!