# Ingredients:
→ Cake
01 - 7/8 cup unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for greasing)
02 - 1 cup superfine (caster) sugar
03 - 3 large eggs
04 - Zest of 2 blood oranges
05 - 2/3 cup fine polenta (cornmeal)
06 - 1 1/3 cups ground almonds (almond meal)
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
08 - Pinch of salt
09 - 1/4 cup blood orange juice (about 1–2 oranges)
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Glaze
11 - 1 cup confectioners' (powdered) sugar, sifted
12 - 2–3 tablespoons blood orange juice, strained, to achieve a rosy pink glaze
→ Decoration (optional)
13 - Blood orange slices
14 - Edible flowers
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 340°F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the base with parchment paper.
02 - Place the softened butter and superfine sugar in a large bowl and beat until light, pale and fluffy using an electric mixer or a whisk.
03 - Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so the mixture remains emulsified.
04 - Fold in the blood orange zest and vanilla extract until evenly distributed.
05 - In a separate bowl whisk together the fine polenta, ground almonds, gluten-free baking powder and a pinch of salt to ensure even leavening.
06 - Gently fold the dry mixture into the butter mixture with a spatula, mixing just until incorporated to preserve a tender crumb.
07 - Stir in the blood orange juice until the batter is homogeneous but not overworked.
08 - Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with an offset spatula.
09 - Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden; begin checking at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking.
10 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely.
11 - Sift the confectioners' sugar into a bowl and whisk in 2–3 tablespoons blood orange juice, adding juice gradually until you achieve a thick, pourable glaze with a rosy tint.
12 - Once cool, drizzle the glaze over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Arrange blood orange slices and edible flowers as desired.
