Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe
The Chocolate Orange Cake is a delightful dessert that combines rich, moist chocolate cake with the zesty flavor of orange. The cake is made with cocoa powder, orange zest, and a hint of orange juice, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus. It’s topped with a creamy chocolate ganache and garnished with orange slices for an extra burst of flavor. A truly indulgent treat!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Zester or grater
- 9-inch round cake pans (2)
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Spatula
- Knife
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 large oranges
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ cup whole milk
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: orange slices or zest for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a large bowl to ensure even distribution.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat softened butter, oil, and sugar with a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Incorporate the Eggs and Flavorings: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and orange zest to infuse the batter with citrus aroma.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients and freshly squeezed orange juice to the butter mixture, alternating and starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in milk to create a smooth batter.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter between the prepared pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing until combined. Stir in orange juice, zest, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Once cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread frosting on top, then add the second layer. Frost the top and sides, and garnish with orange slices or zest if desired.
Notes
For an even more intense orange flavor, you can add a teaspoon of orange extract to the cake batter or frosting.
If you’re a fan of chocolate ganache, consider adding a layer of ganache between the cake layers before applying the frosting. It adds an extra level of decadence to this already indulgent dessert.