Moist Blood Orange Loaf Cake

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350F [180C]. Grease an 8 by 4 in [20 by 10 cm] loaf pan or a 9 by 4 by 4 in [23 by 10 by 10 cm] Pullman pan and line with a parchment sling.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream and orange juice.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter on medium until smooth. Add the sugar, zest, and salt and beat on medium until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well on medium after each addition and scraping down the sides as needed. Add the oil and vanilla and mix on low until combined. Add half the flour mixture and mix on low until almost combined. Add the sour cream mixture and mix on low to incorporate. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix on low until completely combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake 45 to 60 minutes, until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the bread cool for 15 minutes. Use the parchment sling to remove the bread from the pan, then let it finish cooling on the wire rack.

While the bread is cooling, make the icing: in a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, 1 tablespoon orange juice, and the salt. Add the confectioner’s sugar a mix together, then whisk until well combined and smooth. Add more orange juice, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed, to reach the desired consistency.

Pour the glaze over the bread when it is just warm to the touch. Let the bread finish cooling and the glaze set, then slice and serve. The bread can be served cold or at room temperature. Store leftover bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.