Description
This chocolate orange cake is a moist and rich layered cake made with real orange zest and juice, paired with a decadent chocolate ganache frosting for a perfect balance of citrus and chocolate flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (75g) cocoa powder
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240ml) orange juice
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
- 200g dark chocolate, chopped (for ganache)
- 200ml heavy cream (for ganache)
- 1 tbsp orange zest (for ganache)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add boiling water while mixing until fully incorporated. The batter will be thin.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the ganache, heat heavy cream until just boiling, then pour over chopped chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir until smooth and glossy. Add orange zest and mix in.
- Frost the cooled cakes with the orange chocolate ganache and stack them as desired.
- Decorate with orange slices, zest, or chocolate shavings if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor.
- You can make the cake layers a day ahead and refrigerate.
- The ganache thickens as it cools—chill briefly if needed before frosting.
- Use high-quality cocoa and chocolate for richer taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
