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Persian Love Blood Orange Cake

October 26, 2017 by Salma 4 Comments

Persian Love Blood Orange Cake | The Polka Dotter
This pretty little loaf cake is lightly spiced with a dash of cardamom and cloves and perfumed with splash of rosewater. I love making this cake – the method is so simple but the flavour is divine, and the cotton-candy coloured blood orange glaze along with edible flowers give it a wow factor with little fuss.

Baking Notes
(1) If edible flowers aren’t in season or available, you can decorate this cake with the dried rose petals alone, or add some crushed pistachios for extra colour and crunch.

Persian Love Blood Orange Cake | The Polka Dotter
Persian Love Blood Orange Cake | The Polka Dotter
Persian Love Blood Orange Cake | The Polka Dotter
Persian Love Blood Orange Cake
Makes one 10 x 20cm (4” x 8”) loaf cake
Serves 8-10 people

Ingredients
Persian Love Blood Orange Cake
175g unsalted butter, softened
Pinch of sea salt
100g caster sugar
50g brown sugar
Zest and juice of 1 blood orange (approx. 1 ½ tsp zest and ¼ cup (60ml) juice)
3 large eggs, at room temperature
¾ cup (115g) plain flour
1½ tsp baking powder
¼ cup (55g) almond meal
1 tsp ground cardamom
½ tsp ground cloves
2 tsp rosewater

Blood Orange Icing
1½ cups (240g) icing sugar mixture, sifted
40-60ml blood orange juice

Decorations
Edible flowers (violas)
Dried rose petals

Method
Persian Love Blood Orange Cake
(1) Preheat oven to 165°C (145°C fan-forced) and lightly grease a loaf pan (W 10cm x L 20cm x H 6.5cm).
(2) Place butter, sugars and zest in a stand mixer with paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy.
(3) Add egg one by one while beating on medium speed, scraping the bowl between each egg to ensure ingredients are well combined.
(4) Combine flour, baking powder, almond meal and spices in a medium bowl, then slowly add half the dry ingredients to the mixer while beating on low-medium speed.
(5) Continue beating while adding half the juice, then the rest of the dry ingredients, then juice. Add rosewater and ensure batter is well combined.
(6) Pour batter into prepared pan, ensuring a smooth, even surface.
(7) Bake for 40-45 mins until golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
(8) Allow to cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Blood Orange Icing
(1) Combine blood orange juice and icing sugar, mixing until the glaze has a pouring consistency. It should be fluid but still quite thick. If glaze is too thin or thick, add a bit more icing sugar or juice respectively.

To Serve
(1) Pour icing over cake, allowing it to drip down over the sides.
(2) Decorate with fresh and dried flowers.

Enjoy!

Persian Love Blood Orange Cake | The Polka Dotter
Credits and Sources
Medium mixing bowl from Kinfolk and Co.
Wooden cake server from Hope in the Woods
White ceramic nesting bowls from Antler and Moss

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Filed Under: Cakes Tagged With: Blood orange, Cardamom, Orange, Rosewater, Spice

Previous Post: « Coconut Meringue Cupcakes + Blood Orange Curd
Next Post: Blood Orange Cardamom Syrup Cake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Adrienne

    October 27, 2017 at 5:04 am

    Looks lovely. Great photographs!

    Reply
    • Salma

      November 16, 2017 at 9:01 pm

      Thanks so much Adrienne!

      Reply
  2. Julia

    February 8, 2019 at 8:46 pm

    I love how you decorated this and I’d love to try it out, although I’ve never even tried blood orange before so i have no idea what that flavour would taste like!

    Julia // The Sunday Mode

    Reply
    • Salma

      February 13, 2019 at 8:02 pm

      Hi Julia,
      Thanks for your lovely comment. Blood oranges are very similar in flavour to navel oranges, although the standout feature is really the colour of the flesh – it’s deep red in colour which lends a beautiful candy coloured hue to many baked goods. Hope you get to try one soon – I’m sure you’d love it!
      Kind regards,
      Salma

      Reply

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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!

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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?

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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 😊

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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

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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.
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And the beautiful shades of magnolia pink and wattle yellow are already starting to retreat, giving way to tiny green shoots. 
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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 💕
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The magnolias are in full bloom again. It’s alw The magnolias are in full bloom again.

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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 💕

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