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Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free}

August 29, 2020 by Salma Leave a Comment

Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free} | The Polka Dotter

Blood oranges are simmered whole, along with an array of spices, to give layers of complexity, intensity and flavour to this moreish gluten-free cake. This beautiful recipe has been adapted from a classic orange and almond cake recipe by Claudia Roden, but you’ll find it almost impossible to go past the delectable additions of candied blood orange slices and ginger syrup.

This post was sponsored by one of my favourite sources for all seasonal produce, Harris Farm Markets, including the purchase of these gorgeous blood oranges and fresh flowers.

Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free} | The Polka Dotter
Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free} | The Polka Dotter
Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free} | The Polka Dotter
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Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free}

Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free} | The Polka Dotter
Print Recipe

Blood oranges are infused with an array of spices in this enticing gluten-free almond cake, topped with sticky candied blood orange slices and ginger syrup.

  • Author: Salma

Ingredients

Scale

Blood Orange & Ginger Cake

  • 2 blood oranges, washed, unpeeled
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 6 cardamom pods, split
  • 4 cloves
  • 2–3cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 170g almond meal
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch fine sea salt
  • Small handful of toasted slivered almonds, to decorate if desired

Candied Blood Orange Slices in Ginger Syrup

  • 1 large or 2 small blood oranges
  • 180g caster sugar
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2–3cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut julienne

Instructions

Blood Orange & Ginger Cake

  1. Place blood oranges, cinnamon, cardamom pods and cloves in a pot. Cover with water and simmer for 2 hours until softened.
  2. Drain and discard spices. Allow orange to cool, then cut into pieces and remove seeds. Process with grated ginger to a puree.
  3. Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced) and grease a 20cm (8”) round bundt cake tin.
  4. Beat eggs and sugar in a free-standing mixer on medium-high speed with paddle attachment until thick and pale (4-5 minutes).
  5. Mix almond meal, sifted baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
  6. Alternate adding spoonfuls of dry ingredients and orange ginger puree to egg mixture on low-medium speed until well combined. Ensure to scrape down the bowl with a spatula to ensure ingredients are well mixed.
  7. Pour batter into prepared cake tin, then bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted withdraws clean.
  8. Allow to cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Candied Blood Orange Slices in Ginger Syrup

  1. Wash and finely slice blood oranges into 2-3mm width slices, ensuring seeds removed.
  2. Place sugar, lemon juice, water and ginger in a wide-based saucepan, stirring on low heat until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Increase the heat slightly and place blood orange slices in the pan. The pan should be wide enough so that all slices are submerged in the syrup and cook evenly.
  4. Simmer until slices are soft and slightly translucent (20-25 minutes) with shape still intact. Place slices on wire rack to cool.
  5. If desired, curl a few slices up to give a flowery effect, placing a toothpick through the skin to keep their shape as they cool. Remember to remove the toothpicks before decorating the cake.
  6. Reserve syrup for drizzling on cake.

To Serve

  1. Place cooled cake on serving plate and decorate with candied orange slices.
  2. If ginger syrup has thickened, gently warm it up over the stove, then drizzle cake with syrup.
  3. Sprinkle with toasted slivered almonds if desired. 

Enjoy!

Notes

Makes one 20cm (8”) bundt cake and serves 8-10 people

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thepolkadotter on Instagram and hashtag it #polkadotbakes

Blood Orange & Ginger Syrup Cake {gluten-free} | The Polka Dotter

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Filed Under: Cakes Tagged With: Blood orange, Ginger, Gluten-free, Orange, Spice

Previous Post: « Apple & Earl Grey Teacake
Next Post: Roasted Strawberry, Lime & White Chocolate Layer Cake »

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Welcome!

Salma Sabdia | Food Photography

Hi, I’m Salma, and I love creating beautiful images and sweet treats. If you’re looking for a little baking inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.

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Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and rememb Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
~ Max Ehrmann

Love this quiet scene at Pappa Sven. It was actually a test shot of the lighting, my first shot of the day. The lovely Libby had handed me a bud vase filled with a casual spray of flowers picked from one of Pappa Sven’s flower pots, and I had set out a few unfrosted coconut cupcakes on a her lovely cake stand, getting them ready to glam up with roasted strawberry icing.

I never usually care too much for my test shots, they are what they are, and I often prefer my last shots of a session, when the cakes are cut, the crumbs are scattered and the drizzles have dripped in their imperfectly perfect ways. And I’ve had a sneaky chance to indulge in whatever dessert I have prepared, all in the name of good photography and recipe testing.

But it’s true what they say, there’s a first time for everything, and this photo may actually be my favourite of the whole shoot, a genuine moment of calm in such a cosy space.

And if I had it my way - I’d share the full un-cropped version with you, that included the beautiful detail of the brick wall across the top of the window, but as Instagram would have it, we are obliged to a 4:5 ratio, so alas today this crop will suffice. 

Also I am absolutely elated and humbled that the tickets to this event are selling so quickly. Thank you to those of you who have already purchased a ticket, it truly means a lot to have you share this event with us 💕

And if you missed the event details - head to my last post or click the link in my profile 😊

#thinkpink #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #pinkcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling #newcastleevents
Event Announcement! 💕 Join us for an intimate Event Announcement! 💕

Join us for an intimate and heartwarming Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea, hosted by Salma Sabdia (@thepolkadotter) in the cosy surrounds of Pappa Sven’s Apartment (@pappasvens).

We’re raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (@nbcfaus), a cause that’s particularly close to our hearts, and we would love for you to share this special event with us.

Immerse yourself in our much loved ‘Pappa Sven’s Apartment’ and savour a selection of delectable pink-themed cakes, cookies and more, all specially crafted for this occasion. 

Event details:
Saturday 14th October at 2pm
Pappa Sven Apartment in Cooks Hill, NSW, Australia

Click the link in profile for more details and to book your ticket through the @pappasvens website.

We can’t wait to see you there!

#thinkpink #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #pinkcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling #newcastleevents
Good spring morning 💕 aren’t these blooms abs Good spring morning 💕 aren’t these blooms absolutely stunning? 

Instagram usually has a strong dislike for my floral photography. I suspect they are too much of a departure from cakes and cookies, and it’s considered they may offend my dessert-loving audience 😂

What do you think? Do you like the occasional flower or two to start your day?

#springvibes #springflorals #ranunculus #ranunculusflower #flowerphotoshoot #bridgetbodenham #handmadeceramics #australianphotographer
SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 14 💕 We have a VERY sp SAVE THE DATE!

OCTOBER 14 💕

We have a VERY special event coming soon to one of Newcastle’s favourite spaces.

If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

Tickets go on sale this week, and with a very intimate gathering planned, they will be limited. Keep an eye out on our socials do you don’t miss out 😊

#strawberrycupcakes #coconutcupcakes #nordiclifestyle #pappasven #pinkribbon #afternoonteatime #fundraiserevent #nbcfaus #foodphotographyandstyling
If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to get you through this summer weekend weather (at the start of spring!) this divine layered ice cream of strawberry, macadamias and mango will do just the trick 💕

Created last summer for @ausmacadamias | Recipe link in profile

#strawberryicecream #mangoicecream #macadamiaicecream #icecreamdessert #summerdessert #weekenddessert #foodphotographyandstyling #australianmacadamias #queenslandstrawberries #aussiemangoes
SAVE THE DATE! Hey Newcastle! We have been plann SAVE THE DATE! 

Hey Newcastle! We have been planning a VERY special event for you 💕

If a little sweet indulgence in a stylish Nordic setting is your idea of a good time, mark the afternoon of Saturday October 14th in your calendars, because you’ll be sharing it with us 😊 and best of all, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause 💕

Stay tuned and keep an eye out on our socials, where we’ll be sharing all the details early next week!

#strawberrycupcakes #pappasven #pinkribbon #newcastleevents
Blood orange season has arrived, gently floating i Blood orange season has arrived, gently floating in with the soft spring breezes. It’s always one of my favourite times of the year.

Last year’s signature blood orange cake was this delicately striped Blood Orange + Earl Grey Bundt Cake, a crowd favourite that you can find on the blog.

(Along with the other twelve blood orange recipes. Yes, I just checked and would you believe there are no less than specifically THIRTEEN blood orange recipes. And I still think there’s room for number fourteen 😂). 

What’s your favourite flavour to pair with blood oranges? And are there any blood orange recipes you’d like to see this year?

#bloodorange #bloodorangecake #earlgreycake #bundtcake #teacake #springbaking #weekendbaking #foodphotographyandstyling #harrisfarm #redbellycitrus
The days are saying Spring has arrived. The sunshi The days are saying Spring has arrived. The sunshine is glorious and warms you all the way to the tips of your toes and deep inside your heart and mind.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And the beautiful shades of magnolia pink and wattle yellow are already starting to retreat, giving way to tiny green shoots. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But the nights seem to remind us that Winter will linger a little longer, and to enjoy the indulgence of cosy beverages paired with cosy knits while we still can 💕
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What’s the weather like in your little corner of the world?

#changeofseasons #cosynights #cosyvibes #bridgetbodenham #marimekko #unikko #teaculture
The magnolias are in full bloom again. It’s alw The magnolias are in full bloom again.

It’s always such a glorious sight to witness. Last year I shared the special story behind our magnolia tree, and I can’t help but share it again after I’ve spent the better part of the last week admiring her brilliant beauty.

The first time she flowered a few years ago, we were completely in awe. We had moved into our home in the middle of a scorching summer drought, and always wondered about this sickly tree that commanded prime position in the front yard.

So imagine our surprise when nine months after living in our home, this bare thin tired tree gave rise to the most stunning, enormous magenta magnolias. 

Every year that has followed we eagerly await the first week of August to indulge in her beauty. Her fuzzy winter coats are shed and give way to the most brilliant shade of deep pink splashed against the fresh greenery of the garden.

Such a special way to welcome in the warmer weather 💕

#magnolias #magnoliaflowers #springblooms #springbaking #flowerphotoshoot
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