If you are craving a dessert that beautifully balances tangy citrus brightness with buttery richness, this Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe is an absolute must-try. The vibrant flourish of blood orange zest and juice gives this classic pound cake a lively twist, creating a moist, tender crumb that’s bursting with flavor and stunning color. Whether for a weekend treat or a special occasion, this cake elevates the simple pound cake into something unforgettable and joyous.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a golden-brown loaf cake resting on crinkled white paper, placed on a wooden board over a white marbled surface. The cake has a smooth top with a small crack in the center, and its edges are darker, showing a lightly crisp texture. The sides of the cake are evenly browned, and the texture looks soft and slightly crumbly. In the blurred background, there is a metal whisk with a wooden handle, suggesting baking preparation. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

To create this Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe, you’ll use basic but essential ingredients that come together perfectly to give it that perfect texture, flavor, and shine. Each component plays a key role, from the flour’s structure to the blood orange’s unique tartness and color.

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the soft yet sturdy base needed for a classic pound cake texture.
1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps your cake rise to tender perfection without over-expanding.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the blood orange flavor.
¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and, when combined with zest, concentrates the citrus oils.
Zest of one blood orange: Seals in that vibrant, fragrant citrus note essential to this recipe.
½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds moisture, richness, and tenderness to every slice.
2 large eggs: Bind everything together while adding fluff and depth.
⅓ cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice: Infuses the batter with natural sweetness and color.
¾ cup powdered sugar: For the glaze—a sweet topping that perfectly crowns the cake.
2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed blood orange juice: Mixed into the glaze to maintain that citrus punch and glossy finish.

How to Make Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and greasing your loaf pan—either 8.5×4.5 or 9×5 inches works great. In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt so your cake has a smooth, even structure when baked. Setting this aside early keeps things organized and ensures your dry ingredients are beautifully blended.

Step 2: Release the Flavor in Sugar and Zest

This is a magical step in the Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe—take your sugar and orange zest and rub them together with your fingers until the mixture smells fresh and fragrant. This simple action releases those bright, flavorful oils from the zest that soak right into the batter, creating an irresistibly aromatic base.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar Mixture

Now, add the softened butter to your sugar and zest blend. Using a mixer on medium-high speed, beat everything until it’s light and fluffy—this step creates that velvety crumb you want in your cake. Then, beat in your eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them, followed by gently mixing in the fresh blood orange juice on low speed. Don’t worry if the mixture looks slightly curdled here—that’s just the juice interacting with the butter and eggs, and perfectly normal.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients bowl. Stir gently until just combined—overmixing can toughen your cake, so keep it light and careful to maintain a tender texture. Your batter will have the perfect consistency, rich and slightly glossy.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the cake springs back at a gentle touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you use a larger pan, start checking at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Step 6: Cool and Glaze with Blood Orange Goodness

After baking, let the cake rest in its pan for 10 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. While the cake cools, whisk powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of blood orange juice until thick but pourable, adding juice gradually to get the right glaze consistency. Once cool, pour the glossy glaze evenly over the cake and let it drip down the sides—this finishing touch seals in moisture and adds a shiny citrus kick.

How to Serve Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe

A rectangular loaf cake with a light golden-brown outside and a moist, crumbly pale yellow inside is sliced into three pieces. The top layer has smooth, shiny light pink icing that drips slightly down the sides. There are two thin, round slices of deep red-orange citrus fruit placed near one end on the icing. The cake sits on a white parchment paper which is on a wooden board, all set on a white marbled surface with soft natural light coming from the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe, garnish with thin slices of fresh blood orange placed elegantly on top of the glaze. The natural red hues are striking and complement the cake’s own color while adding a bit of decorative freshness that entices every guest.

Side Dishes

This pound cake pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. For breakfast or brunch, a cup of strong coffee or a light herbal tea highlights the citrus notes flawlessly without overpowering them.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing your Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe into thick wedges and serve them on a rustic wooden board alongside a selection of fresh berries and mint sprigs. Alternatively, cut the cake into cubes and skewer them for a fun, bite-sized treat at parties or afternoon tea.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe will keep beautifully at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container for up to three days. This helps maintain moisture and flavor without drying out the cake.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, slice the cake and freeze individual pieces wrapped well in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. This method preserves its fresh taste and texture for up to two months, so you can enjoy this delightful cake anytime.

Reheating

When ready to enjoy frozen or refrigerated slices, warm them gently in a microwave or oven to revive that fresh-baked feel. Just a few seconds in the microwave or 10 minutes at 325 degrees F in the oven will bring back the cake’s tender crumb and enhance the aroma of blood orange.

FAQs

Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?

While you can substitute regular oranges, the unique flavor and deep color of blood oranges make this recipe special. Regular oranges will be delicious but milder in color and taste.

What if I don’t have a mixer? Can I mix by hand?

Yes, you can mix by hand with a sturdy whisk or wooden spoon, though it will take more effort to cream the butter and sugar to a fluffy consistency. Take your time for the best results.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The cake is done when it springs back gently to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Avoid opening the oven too early to prevent sinking.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

For a dairy-free version, swap the butter for a vegan butter alternative or coconut oil, and ensure your ingredients are all compatible. The texture might vary slightly, but the citrus flavor will still shine.

Is this recipe suitable for a large gathering?

Absolutely! You can double the ingredients and bake in larger pans or multiple loaf pans to serve a crowd. Just keep an eye on baking times, adjusting as needed based on pan size.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you make this Blood Orange Pound Cake Recipe, it will become a beloved favorite in your recipe collection. The bright citrus flavor paired with the dense, buttery cake is pure joy in every bite. Don’t wait for a special occasion — make it today and savor the unique, beautiful flavors of blood orange in a comforting, classic form.