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Blood Orange and Pistachio Cake with Protein

Blood Orange and Pistachio Cake with Protein


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5 from 33 reviews

  • Author: Sonja Goeden
  • Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This super pretty pink Blood Orange and Pistachio Cake with Protein will brighten up your table while bringing you a zesty and nutty tasting cake that is very easy to make. The sponge is full of pistachio-orange flavour, while still feeling light enough to have it any day with a nice cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon. What’s more: It comes with about 10g of protein per slice, meaning you get your nutrition from your dessert. The candied orange slices are optional, but highly recommended and once you made them, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them, it’s so simple.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Sponge:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil (light)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups pistachios (finely chop 1 cup, keep 1/4 for decorating, grind rest)
  • 4 blood oranges (zest 1 + juice until you have 1 cup.)
  • 3/4 cup plain flour
  • 1/2 cup +2 tbsp whole wheat flour (fine)
  • 2/3 cup protein powder (I used MyProtein buttered popcorn flavour. Vanilla works too)
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Icing:

  • 1 blood orange
  • 1.5 cups icing sugar

Candied Blood Orange Slices:

  • 3 Blood Oranges (cut into 0.2in slices)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

Candied Blood Orange Slices:

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of iced water.
  2. Blanch the orange slices in boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer them to the ice bath.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, swirling the pan occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Once the syrup reaches 225°F/110°C, gently add the orange slices in layers.
  5. Simmer until the syrup thickens and reaches about 230°F/115°C, ensuring the orange slices are evenly coated.
  6. Using tongs or a fork, transfer the candied orange slices to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Allow them to cool for at least 1 hour.

Blood Orange and Pistachio Cake with Protein:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Grease a springform and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil and brown sugar until mostly dissolved. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until light and foamy.
  3. Stir in the blood orange zest, juice, and protein powder until smooth and foamy.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the flours, ground pistachios (reserving 1/4 cup for garnish), baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  7. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Blood Orange Icing:

  1. In a bowl or small jug, combine the blood orange juice with icing sugar. Start with 2-3 tablespoons of juice and adjust to reach a thick but pourable consistency.
  2. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
  3. Allow the icing to set completely before decorating.

Decorate and Serve:

  1. Arrange the candied blood orange slices on top of the cake and sprinkle with the reserved chopped pistachios.
  2. Slice and serve the cake with a nice cup of tea or coffee.

Notes

The equipment section may contain affiliate links to products I know and love. 

Getting Ahead

Both the sponge and candied oranges can be made the day before. The orange slices keep well in a lidded container in the fridge. Ideally each layer separated by baking parchment, to prevent them from sticking to each other.

The cake will be fine for up to 5 days covered with kitchen foil or clingfilm. I used kitchen foil and domed it, so it wouldn’t touch the oranges and stick to them.

The cake also freezes well. Even with the icing, though it will soak into the cake a bit when thawing and not be as pretty anymore. So ideally ice later. Or just enjoy the extra flavour that soaked into the cake.

  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Cake, Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 468
  • Sugar: 48
  • Sodium: 238
  • Fat: 21
  • Saturated Fat: 3
  • Carbohydrates: 63
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 12
  • Cholesterol: 37