Blood orange pound cake

blood orange cakes indulgent pound cake sponge cake

N/A

Serves 10

Source

Ingredients

150g unsalted butter , softened, plus extra for the tin

250g caster sugar

3 medium eggs , at room temperature

250g plain flour

1½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

½ tsp fine sea salt

100g full-fat soured cream

3 blood orange , finely zested

3 tbsp chopped pistachios , to decorate (optional)

candied peel , to decorate (optional, see tip, below)

170g icing sugar , sifted

2-3 tbsp blood orange juice

Method

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and butter and line a 1-litre loaf tin.

Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl for 8 mins until fluffy and very pale. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold in the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt, then the soured cream and zest. Spoon into the tin and bake in the centre of the oven for 45-50 mins, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool slightly in the tin, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

To make the icing, combine the sugar and juice and spoon over the cake. Sprinkle over the pistachios and candied peel, if using (see tip, below). Will keep in an airtight container for up to three days.