This picturesque Turmeric Cake with Blood Oranges is an upside down cake that will wow everyone! It’s an unexpected dessert that’s packed with flavor and buttery goodness. 
Inspiration for Turmeric Cake
Inspiration for my recipes comes from all over the place.
Inside, outside, books, magazines, mood, weather . . . .
It can be anything from the produce that’s in season and the temperature outside, to how I’m feeling, and flavors I’m craving.
Aromas in the air, what’s in my pantry, and a million things in between.
For this recipe my inspiration was color.
I wanted to paint a picture, if you will — of the fiery red of blood oranges and the brilliant gold of turmeric.
I knew the flavors would marry beautifully, and I just had to see those deep, rich colors together — in a cake. Sometimes a vision must be realized.
And it’s every bit as delicious as it is beautiful!
What’s in this Turmeric Cake recipe?
- butter
- blood oranges
- fresh turmeric
- milk
- flour
- baking powder
- cardamom
- salt
- eggs
- sugar
How to make Turmeric Cake
– Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch cake pan with softened butter.
– Use a paring knife to cut about inch off the top and bottom of each blood orange. Cut off the skin and then cut the oranges horizontally into round slices that are about ¼ inch thick. Place them on the bottom of the buttered cake pan.
– Combine milk with freshly grated turmeric in a pot and bring to a strong simmer. Then turn off the heat, cover, and let the flavor infuse. Strain and use the bottom of a spoon to gently press on the grated turmeric to get as much liquid out as possible.
* Here’s How to Use Fresh Turmeric Root*
– Combine the flour with the baking powder, cardamom and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar and vanilla.
– Pour the egg mixture and the strained turmeric milk into the dry ingredients. Once it’s blended in, fold in the melted butter.
– Pour the batter into the cake pan with the blood oranges and bake in a 350°F oven until it’s golden and set, about 30 minutes.
– Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, and then invert it onto a serving plate.
(More detailed instructions are below.)
Why you Should Make This Turmeric Cake
- Gorgeous color. Cakes with Turmeric will have a stunning golden glow to them.
- Comfort food. Cakes with Turmeric are not a comfort food just because they are sweet dessert, it’s more because turmeric is a warming spice. It’s rich in astringent tannins that help tighten tissues and absorb excess water from the body, which results in “drying.” And that in turn, raises the overall body temperature. So the cake could potentially warm you up in cold weather! 😉
- Delicious flavor. Turmeric has subtle scents of orange and ginger. The overall flavor is mild, though it can be slightly bitter. In a cake, all of this is balanced and enhanced with the sugar and rich butter.
- Wow factor. This cake will wow your friends and family. And that’s a promise.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- Gluten-free? You can use Cup4Cup Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour to make a gluten free version of this Turmeric Cake.
- Can you use turmeric powder instead of fresh grated turmeric? You can substitute turmeric powder for the fresh turmeric if you’d like. Use about 2 teaspoons of the powder if you’re substituting.
- Be sure to very thoroughly grease the bottom and sides of the cake pan. And if you have a non-stick cake pan, use it.
Can you Make it Ahead?
- This cake can be made one day ahead of time. It can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature. I do not recommend freezing this cake.
Turmeric Cake with Blood Oranges is beautiful inside and out. I hope you love it as much as my family and I do!
More turmeric and blood orange recipes:
A turmeric cake with stunning and delicious citrus on top! Cakes with turmeric make for an unexpected dessert that is packed with flavor and buttery goodness!
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
- 2 to 3 blood oranges
- ¼ cup low or full-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh turmeric, freshly grated
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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Preheat the oven and prepare the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F, and adjust a rack to the center. Use a pastry brush, or a bit of the butter wrapper, to thoroughly coat the bottom and sides of a 9 inch cake pan with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Melt the remaining cup of butter and set it aside.
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Cut the blood oranges and line the pan with them. On a clean, dry surface, use a paring knife to cut about ½ inch off the top and bottom of each blood orange. Then to remove the skin, set them down on one of their flat surfaces and use a the knife, moving downwards, just inside the skin, cutting only slightly into the flesh. Now, cutting horizontally into the blood oranges, create round slices that are about ¼ inch thick. Place them on the bottom surface of the buttered cake pan, covering as much of the space as possible. The edges of the orange slices should be touching each other. Set aside.
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Infuse the milk with the turmeric. In a small saucepan, combine the milk with the freshly grated turmeric. (Here's How to Use Fresh Turmeric.) Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a strong simmer. Then turn off the heat, cover, and set aside.
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Begin making the cake batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder, cardamom and salt. In another mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar and vanilla. Set both aside.
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Strain the turmeric milk. Strain the turmeric milk in a fine mesh strainer. Use the bottom of a spoon to gently press on the grated turmeric to get as much liquid out as possible.
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Finish the batter and bake. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour in the egg mixture and the strained turmeric milk. Once it's blended in, fold in the melted butter. Continue to fold the batter until it's smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan with the blood oranges and place it on a baking sheet, and then into the preheated 350°F oven. Bake until it's golden and set, about 30 minutes.
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Cool and serve. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, and then invert it onto a serving plate. (The cake is best served at room temperature.)
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Jeanne @JollyTomato says
Gorgeous, Valentina! Just breath-takingly beautiful!
valentina says
Aww, thanks so much Jeanne! XO
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
The addition of turmeric is genius! What an outstanding winter cake!
valentina says
Thank you so much, Deb! It’s citrus season, after all. 🙂
valentina says
Hi there. I haven’t made a gluten-free version of this recipe. That said, my instinct would be to try it with a gluten-free 1 to 1 baking flour, such as this one. 1 to 1 flours typically contain blend of a few GF flours and xanthan gum. I think you’d have success with it. Thanks for visiting my site and checking out the recipe. Let me know if you try it, and I’ll let you know if I do. 🙂
CakePants says
Wow, the colors in this cake are unbelievably gorgeous! I don’t think I’ve ever baked with turmeric, but I’m certainly intrigued. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
valentina says
Thanks so much! I hadn’t baked with turmeric either — it was a very successful experiment. 🙂
sippitysup says
In your hands winter is the most colorful season of the year! GREG
valentina says
Best compliment ever. Thank you, Greg. 🙂 XO
Sylvie says
Such a pretty cake, love the way the orange slices look on top!
valentina says
Thanks so much Sylvie! 🙂
Choclette says
Oh you’ve achieved your goal of fire beautifully, your cake is stunning. Love the use of fresh turmeric in your cake too.
valentina says
Yay! Thanks so much for checking it out.
Bridget - The Recipe Wench says
Stunning! You’ve inspired me. I’ve got to try this combination — turmeric and blood oranges. Thank you so much!
valentina says
Thank you so much for checking out my recipe. 🙂
Kirsten says
Umm wowing guests is an understatement! This cake is gorgeous! Such awesome colours… I’d love to try this but I don’t think I could make it as beautiful as you!
valentina says
You are too kind — of course you could! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Vicky and Ruth says
What a gorgeous cake! I love baking with turmeric it reminds me of my grandmother’s turmeric cake so warm and comforting.
valentina says
Thanks so much! I love that this recipe conjured up a lovely food memory for you. 🙂
David says
It’s like a tasty sunset on a plate!
valentina says
Oh I love that analogy, David. 🙂
Lea says
And it tastes great too! Thanks for a lovely recipe
valentina says
SO happy you tired and enjoyed the recipe, Lea. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Tifa says
So lovely! Is it possible to use ground turmeric in place of fresh?
valentina says
Yes, you can use ground turmeric. I’d use approx 2 teaspoons, and then no need to strain the milk. Enjoy!
Tifa says
Thanks!!
Melissa @ Now You're Cookin' says
Wow such beautiful colors!! I’ve never had turmeric in a cake before — have to pin this!
valentina says
Thanks so much! 😀
Summer says
I love the look of this cake. Do you have any idea what might work as an egg replacer, or are there too many eggs to substitute?
valentina says
Hi Summer, I haven’t ever tried this with an egg substitute. I found this great “cheat sheet” for substituting eggs that I think will be really helpful. For this cake, I’d really try to stay away from substitutes with strong flavors — you don’t want to take away from the turmeric! 🙂 My instinct would be to try the flax first. Good luck!
Julia says
Hi there! Does anybody have an idea with what I could substitute the blood oranges for now? They’re not in season yet around here, but I’d still love to make that cake for my mom’s birthday in early November. Would love to hear some ideas! Thanks! 🙂
valentina says
Hi Julia, You can use Naval oranges — and, you might see Cara Cara’s early Nov (but could be too early) — they’re a great pinkish color. The Navals would be lovely — just a different look. Enjoy!
Kim Quinn says
What a gorgeous cake! I have everything but cardamom. I really enjoy cinnamon orange tea. Can I replace cardamom with cinnamon? Want to try this tonight.
valentina says
Hi Kim, I hope I got to this in time — before you started baking. YES, cinnamon would be delicious! Go for it. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it.
Renu PRINJA says
can I use honey instead of sugar?
valentina says
Hi there. Thanks for writing in. While I haven’t tested the recipe with honey I think it should work. The rule of thumb when replacing granulated sugar with honey is 3/4 cup of honey to 1 cup of sugar. I hope this helps. I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Laura Moore says
Hi, I just made it and it’s great. I used 1/2C butter instead and only 3 eggs and it looks so pretty! Also, only 1-1/4 C flour. Thank you!
valentina says
Hi Laura, thanks for writing in. So happy you enjoyed this recipe, and great that your measurement changes worked for you. This is one I like to look at for a while before slicing into it.Pretty! Thank you! 🙂 ~Valentina
Liz says
Such a stunning cake, Valentina! The turmeric in the cake gives a fabulous color and you can’t beat the natural beauty of blood oranges!! I bet it tastes as good as it looks.
valentina says
Thanks, Liz! Happy holiday season! 🙂 ~Valentina