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Blood oranges are probably my favourite citrus fruit. Their gorgeously tinted, juicy segments have a unique flavour – sweet orange spiked with a hint of tartness – making them perfect in both savoury and sweet dishes. There are so many blood orange recipes out there – from salads to roasted and grilled meat and poultry dishes to decadent desserts. I use them everywhere I use regular oranges, and of course you can always substitute regular oranges for the blood oranges in these recipes.
Blood oranges may look like regular oranges or they may be tinted with a streaks of red. They can also be a much darker red all over. Inside, you will find blood oranges may be merely tinted with a bit of pink or red, or they may be full on scarlet. Regardless of the hue, the pink or red tinge is caused by the presence of high concentrations of the pigment anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is a powerful antioxidant which may help neutralise the effects of free radicals, making blood oranges extra good for you too. Depending on where you live, blood oranges are in season somewhere around January to April, although this can vary year to year. A reader recently told me that in Florida they are in season all winter, which I know I would love.
Favourite Blood Orange Recipes
My pretty Chocolate Blood Orange Marble Cake looks complicated but it’s a breeze with my step by step instructions. Delicious served with a cup of tea or coffee, this loaf cake also makes a lovely gift.
Pressed for time? This Blood Orange Syllabub is the work of moments. Serve this luscious, creamy dessert in pretty glasses topped with fresh fruit and amaretti biscuit crumbs and you’ll be guaranteed to impress your guests.
This moist and flavourful Blood Orange Pound Cake recipe makes two loaves – one to keep and one to give away (or slice and freeze the second loaf for a treat anytime).
You don’t need an ice cream maker to make this No Churn Blood Orange Ice Cream. Creamy with a hint of tang, it’s the perfect dessert after a rich meal and no one will ever guess how simple it was to make!
The beauty of all these blood orange recipes is that they are so delicious and yet so simple. Most of them also work really well together. Both the Blood Orange Pound Cake and Chocolate Blood Orange Marble Cake are wonderful served à la mode with my Blood Orange Ice Cream.
So the next time you see blood oranges available, be sure to pick some up. And after you’ve finished enjoying a few of them and wiped the juice off your arms, try one – or more – of my delicious blood orange recipes!
Just a hint for my UK readers – if you are having any difficulty sourcing blood oranges, I use the organic delivery service Abel and Cole.
More Delicious Fruit Flavoured Treats
Lemon Drizzle Cake – a Traditional Teatime Treat
Blueberry Chia Muffins with Lemon and Ginger
Raspberry and Rose Jelly and Cream
Cranberry Orange and Ginger Cake
The marble cake wouldn’t last long at all in my house, I’m sure of it. And thanks for the link to Abel & Cole: I will explore them as a box of oranges seems like a nice gift.
It never lasts very long in our house either, Pauline 😉 I hope you like Abel and Cole as much as I do!
I’ve never baked with blood oranges, and the marbel cake looks soooooooooo delicious and so pretty!!
Thank you, Winnie 🙂 If you can get blood oranges I encourage you to try using them in your baking – it’s really rewarding!
Hi April,
These are great Blood Orange recipes to try, they look delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you so much, Miz Helen. I hope your week is wonderful too!
I have never bought blood oranges but your recipe looks amazing!
Thank you for sharing on Friday Features #omhgff on Oh My Heartsie Girl, your post is being featured this week and will be Tagged and shared on Instagram, watch for it and it will also be pinned on Pinterest and shared to Facebook.
Now I hope you enjoy the little boost, and stop by again to share.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much, Karren, and a special thank you for the feature as well! Hope your weekend is wonderful too!
Thank you April! I have a ton of blood oranges to use right now!
My pleasure, Helen! I hope you enjoy the recipes. Blood oranges are a real favourite of mine!