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This simple and delicious Orange Olive Oil Cake with Fig Jam is a moist and flavorful upside-down cake that’s ready in under an hour! This no-fuss dessert is made with healthier swaps like extra virgin olive oil and low fat greek yogurt for a decadent treat with less guilt!

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Looking for more great dessert ideas?

Why not try my Pear and Fig Galette, Banana Chocolate Chip Upside Down Cake, Pear Crumb Coffee Cake, or Coconut Caramel Apple Cake!

The EASIEST, no-fail orange upside down cake recipe!

If you are familiar with the blog, you know I am not a big baker, and as far as dessert recipes go, the easier the better. This Orange Olive Oil Cake with Fig Jam is no different. With a simple scratch-made batter, and a fruity and jammy top layer- this moist and delicious cake is nearly effortless, and can be pulled off my even the most inexperienced baker.

Orange Olive Oil Cake with Fig Jam

The easiest way to slice the oranges for the cake

And here it is- probably the hardest part of making this cake, is slicing the oranges. Don’t be intimidated- this step is also easy!

The best way to cut the oranges, is to slice them with the peel on first. After the oranges are all sliced, you will then remove the peels carefully with a small knife or pairing knife. This will make sure that your orange slices stay clean, uniform and intact. They’re going to be on the top of the cake, so we want them to be pretty!

slicing the cara cara orianges

What is the best fig jam to use for the cake?

Fig spread makes this recipe super easy, and accessible year ’round. Keep it in your pantry until you’re ready to bake, then save the rest in the fridge for toasts and charcuterie boards!

As far as brands, I love Divina and Follain. Divina makes a ton of different varieties of fig spread, all of which are delicious.

making the upside down orange cake

Layering the upside down olive oil cake

Before pouring in the cake batter, you’ll first prep your cake pan by lining it with parchment, then giving it a good sprit of cooking spray to endure nothing sticks. After that, you’ll thin out a bit of the fig spread with some water, and spread it into the bottom of the prepared pan. Next up, layer the orange slices in an even layer.

cake batter

Baking the cake

Once you have your pan and fruit layer ready, it’s time to add the batter. Pour the batter over the fruit layer, spread evenly, and bake until golden- about 35 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely before carefully flipping over, and removing the parchment paper.

slice of orange fig cake

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Orange Olive Oil Cake with Fig Jam

Orange Olive Oil Cake with Fig Jam

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Total Time50 mins
Course: Dessert
Keyword: cake, fig, figs, orange
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • parchment paper
  • 9" cake pan
  • baking sheet/sheet pan
  • cooking spray

Ingredients

Fruit layer

  • 2 medium sized cara cara, naval or blood oranges
  • 2 tbsp fig spread /jam
  • 1 tbsp water

Cake

  • 1/2 cup granulated organic cane sugar
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • a pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup low fat vanilla greek yogurt
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup good extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fig spread/jam

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. Spray a 9 inch cake pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper so that it covers the bottom and goes up the sides of the pan. Fold parchment paper so that it hugs the sides of the pan. Spray the parchment with non-stick spray.
    3. With the skin still on, slice citrus 1/4 inch thick slices. Use a paring knife to carefully remove the skin from the citrus slices. Doing it this way will ensure your oranges slices stay intact and do not break apart when you slice them.
    4. Mix together 2 tbsp fig spread or jam with 1 tbsp water to give it a thinner consistency. Spread along the bottom of the parchment lined pan.
    5. Layer the orange slices in a single layer.
    6. In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredient to the bowl, and stir until well combined. 
    7. Pour batter over fruit layer.
    8. Place cake pan on a baking sheet, and bake for 30-35 minutes on the middle rack, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
    9. Allow cake to cool completely, then carefully flip over onto a wire rack.
    10. Slice and serve.

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