Zesty Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf Recipe

Citrus season brings a welcome burst of color to my kitchen during the gray winter months. This Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf captures that brightness with a tender crumb and a floral finish.

The aroma of fresh zest and lavender buds rubbing together instantly lifts my mood before the cake even hits the oven. I always look forward to that first slice when the icing is still setting.

What Makes This Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf So Special

The balance between the tart blood orange and the subtle floral notes creates a sophisticated flavor profile. It feels special enough for guests but simple enough for a quiet weekend at home.

You do not need a mixer for this recipe since the batter comes together easily with just a whisk and a bowl. This oil-based cake stays moist for days thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt.

I love how the natural pink hue of the glaze makes this loaf look stunning without any artificial colors. It is a beautiful way to use seasonal citrus when blood oranges are at their peak.

If you enjoy this fruit-forward dessert, you should definitely try my Quick Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe next. For a different kind of treat, my Savory Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe offers a delightful crunch.

Gathering Your Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf Ingredients

Here is everything you need to bake this fragrant treat:

• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and acts as an abrasive to release the oils from the zest.
• Blood Orange Zest: Adds the primary citrus punch and essential oils to the batter.
• Dried Lavender Buds: Culinary-grade flowers that impart a subtle, sophisticated floral aroma.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural base for the loaf that ensures a soft crumb.
• Baking Powder: The leavening agent that helps the cake rise beautifully.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the citrus flavors.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the batter.
• Coconut Oil: Melted oil keeps the cake moist; you can also use canola or vegetable oil.
• Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang to the crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm background note.
• Blood Orange Juice: Used in both the batter and the glaze for color and flavor.
• Icing Sugar: Creates the smooth, sweet glaze that tops the loaf.

My Method for Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf

Let’s get baking!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F before you begin mixing to ensure it is ready when the batter is done. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with baking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Place the granulated sugar, blood orange zest, and chopped lavender buds into a large mixing bowl. Use your fingertips to rub the zest and lavender into the sugar until the mixture looks like wet sand and smells incredibly fragrant.
3. Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to the sugar mixture. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well combined and set the bowl aside for a moment.
4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted coconut oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract until smooth. Make sure the oil is not too hot so it does not scramble the eggs.
5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Add the strained blood orange juice and mix until the batter is smooth, but be careful not to overmix.
6. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze by whisking the icing sugar and blood orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Reserve about 1/4 cup of this glaze and stir in 1 tablespoon of water to thin it out for the first soaking layer.
8. When the loaf comes out of the oven, brush the thinned glaze over the hot cake and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf to a wire rack, let it cool completely, and then pour the remaining thick glaze over the top before slicing.

My Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf Secrets

Rub the blood orange zest and lavender into the sugar with your fingers before adding other ingredients. This step releases the essential oils and infuses the entire cake with fragrance.

Make sure you use culinary-grade lavender to ensure your Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf is safe to eat. A little goes a long way so measure carefully to avoid a soapy taste.

Do not skip the double glazing process because the first thin layer soaks into the warm cake. This technique keeps the crumb incredibly moist and adds an extra punch of citrus flavor.

How I Like to Serve This Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf

I prefer slicing this loaf while the glaze is still slightly soft and serving it with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea. The bergamot in the tea pairs beautifully with the floral and citrus notes of the cake.

You can also serve this Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf as a dessert with a dollop of whipped cream. A few fresh lavender buds on top add a lovely finishing touch for presentation.

Join me on Pinterest for more cozy baking inspiration and seasonal fruit recipes.

Glazed Blood Orange and Lavender Loaf Recipe

---

• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
• Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 servings)
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A tender, citrus-forward loaf cake infused with floral lavender notes and topped with a vibrant pink blood orange glaze.

---

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp blood orange zest
• 1 tsp dried edible lavender buds, finely chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted (or vegetable oil)
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup blood orange juice, strained
• 1 1/2 cups icing sugar, sifted
• 3 tbsp blood orange juice (for glaze)

---

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, rub the granulated sugar, blood orange zest, and chopped lavender together with your fingers until fragrant.
3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt into the sugar mixture until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted coconut oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract.
5. Stir the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until just combined, then fold in the 1/4 cup of blood orange juice.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
7. Whisk the icing sugar and 3 tablespoons of blood orange juice together to make the glaze.
8. Reserve 1/4 cup of glaze, thin it with a tablespoon of water, and brush it over the hot loaf.
9. Let the loaf cool completely on a rack before pouring the remaining thick glaze over the top.

Notes

If you don’t have blood oranges, regular oranges or lemons work beautifully in this recipe.

• Prep Time: 25 min
• Cooling Time: 1 hr
• Cook Time: 1 hr 5 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: blood orange cake recipe, easy tea loaf, citrus baking, homemade dessert, lavender loaf