10/02/2024
This Chocolate Orange Cake recipe
Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup hot water mixed with 2 tablespoons instant coffee (to enhance the chocolate flavor)
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
For the Whipped Chocolate Orange Frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, more if needed
• 2 teaspoons orange extract
• Zest of 1 orange
For Assembly:
• Orange marmalade (about 1/2 cup)
Instructions:
Cake:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, beating until the mixture is smooth.
4. Mix in the hot coffee and orange juice until well combined. The batter will be thin.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Whipped Chocolate Orange Frosting:
1. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream, beating until smooth. Add more cream if necessary to reach a spreadable consistency.
2. Stir in the orange extract and zest until well combined.
Assembly:
1. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a thin layer of orange marmalade over the top.
2. Top with a layer of chocolate orange frosting.
3. Add the second cake layer and cover the top and sides with frosting. Smooth out the frosting with a spatula or knife.
4. Decorate as desired, perhaps with additional orange zest, chocolate shavings, or candied orange slices.
Tips:
• To ensure the cake is moist and tender, do not overmix the batter once the dry and wet ingredients have been combined.
• For an extra hit of orange flavor, you can brush each cake layer with a mixture of orange liqueur and orange juice before assembling.
• Allow the cake to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to set the frosting and make slicing easier.
Enjoy your Chocolate Orange Cake, a perfect blend of chocolatey richness and refreshing orange zest!
