If you’re searching for a show-stopping cake with lush color, delicate floral notes, and undeniable charm, Hibiscus Bliss Cake is about to become your new baking obsession. This inviting treat combines soft, buttery layers infused with vibrant hibiscus tea and specks of real hibiscus petals for a flavor and fragrance that’s as whimsical as it is delicious. Perfect for brunches, afternoon tea, or whenever you want a crowd-pleaser that feels fancy yet effortless, the Hibiscus Bliss Cake brings a burst of joy to any table. Get ready to fall head over heels for this dreamy floral dessert!

Hibiscus Bliss Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of everyday ingredients, plus a touch of hibiscus magic, create a cake that looks stunning and tastes truly unique. Each ingredient brings something essential, from the rich crumb to the cake’s signature rosy hue.

All-purpose flour: Provides sturdy structure while keeping the crumb tender and soft.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with browning for that gorgeous golden finish.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and gives the cake its melt-in-your-mouth texture—make sure it’s at room temp for easy mixing!
Brewed hibiscus tea (strong): Infuses every bite with delicate floral notes, plus adds that signature blush color.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cake’s airy lift.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the floral flavors with warmth and depth.
Baking powder and baking soda: This dynamic duo ensures a light, fluffy rise.
Salt: Just a pinch to amplify flavor and balance the sweetness.
Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Delivers tang and extra moisture—choose whichever you have on hand.
Dried hibiscus petals (crushed): Little pops of floral color and flavor are scattered throughout.
Optional food coloring: A drop or two of pink or red intensifies the pretty hue, but the cake is gorgeous even without it.

How to Make Hibiscus Bliss Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Set the Stage

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s fully hot before the batter goes in—this helps with an even rise. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan so your Hibiscus Bliss Cake will release seamlessly after baking. This quick prep means no sticky surprises later!

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Blending these gives the leavening agents a chance to distribute evenly throughout the flour, setting your cake up for that perfect tender crumb.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In your largest mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and pale. This step traps air inside the butter, which is essential for a light, cloud-like Hibiscus Bliss Cake. Don’t rush—give it a few minutes on medium-high speed if you’re using an electric mixer.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract. These steps ensure the batter stays smooth and cohesive without separating.

Step 5: Stir in Hibiscus Tea and Sour Cream

Add your strong brewed hibiscus tea and the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) to the wet ingredients. The batter should turn a beautiful blush-pink color and will smell incredibly fragrant at this point. Mix until just combined—no over-mixing needed.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring gently until everything is just combined and no streaks of flour remain. This careful folding step ensures your Hibiscus Bliss Cake stays feathery-soft, never tough.

Step 7: Fold in Hibiscus Petals and Color

Sprinkle in the crushed dried hibiscus petals for those magical specks of flavor and color. If you want a deeper hue, this is the time to add a drop or two of food coloring. Gently fold until incorporated, but resist the urge to over-mix.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Pour your batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma alone will have everyone peeking into the kitchen! Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve Hibiscus Bliss Cake

Garnishes

There are so many ways to make your Hibiscus Bliss Cake truly pop. A simple dusting of powdered sugar lets the blush color shine, while a hibiscus glaze (just powdered sugar whisked with a touch of hibiscus tea) turns every slice into a bakery-worthy masterpiece. For extra flair, sprinkle a few more dried hibiscus petals or edible flowers on top. Each garnish adds elegance while highlighting those lovely floral notes.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent treat. Serve alongside a hot cup of herbal tea—or an iced hibiscus punch—to keep the floral theme going strong at your dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

Try baking Hibiscus Bliss Cake in mini bundt pans or cupcake molds for party-ready individual portions. Feeling extra festive? Stack two layers with a swoop of hibiscus glaze or whipped cream in between. Or use a heart-shaped pan for a sweet brunch surprise! Let your imagination run wild—no matter how you serve it, this cake makes a statement.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover Hibiscus Bliss Cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. At room temperature, it stays fresh and moist for up to 2 days. Pop it in the fridge if you want to keep it a day or two longer, especially in warm weather.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake (whole or in slices) for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready for a floral treat, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

To refresh the cake, warm slices gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. This brings back the softness and amplifies those amazing hibiscus aromas—just like it’s fresh out of the oven! If you’re reheating a whole cake, cover it loosely with foil and warm in a low oven (300°F) for about 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make Hibiscus Bliss Cake dairy-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap in your favorite plant-based butter and non-dairy yogurt. The cake stays just as moist and flavorful, with all of that signature floral goodness.

Where can I find dried hibiscus petals?

Dried hibiscus is typically available at specialty spice shops, health food stores, or online. Some grocery stores carry it in the tea or international aisle. For baking, just make sure the petals are food grade and not sweetened or flavored.

Do I have to use food coloring?

Nope! While a drop of coloring deepens the cake’s pink color, the brewed hibiscus tea and petals already give a beautiful natural blush. The choice is entirely up to you—your Hibiscus Bliss Cake will look stunning either way.

What kind of hibiscus tea should I brew?

Use a strong, unsweetened hibiscus tea for the best flavor and color. Loose dried petals work best, but you can also use hibiscus tea bags—just steep them longer and use slightly less water for a concentrated brew.

Can I frost this cake or is it best plain?

Hibiscus Bliss Cake is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar for elegance, or amp it up with a simple hibiscus glaze. Cream cheese frosting or whipped cream also pair deliciously if you want to step up the richness!

Final Thoughts

If you love baking with a burst of color and flavor, Hibiscus Bliss Cake truly delivers. It’s one of those recipes that makes any day feel special, and I hope you’re as charmed by it as I am. Give this enchanting cake a try—you’re in for a sweet, floral treat that everyone will remember!

Hibiscus Bliss Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 slices 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the floral sweetness of this Hibiscus Bliss Cake, a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. This moist and flavorful cake infused with hibiscus tea is sure to impress your taste buds.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
½ cup brewed hibiscus tea (strong)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon dried hibiscus petals (crushed)
Optional: pink or red food coloring for deeper color

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla. Stir in sour cream and brewed hibiscus tea.
Combine and Bake: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Fold in crushed hibiscus petals and food coloring. Pour batter into pan and bake for 28–32 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

You can frost this cake with a simple hibiscus glaze made from powdered sugar and hibiscus tea, or serve it plain with a dusting of powdered sugar.
For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and yogurt.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American