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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Easy Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

    Published: Aug 31, 2023 by Radwa · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Easy Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe is a delicious 2 layer sponge cake coated with rich chocolate buttercream and topped with Terry's chocolate orange slices!

    Each bite from this sweet delight is filled with zesty chocolate buttercream, perfect to serve in celebrations and special occasions.

    Chocolate orange cake topped with Terry's chocolate orange slices.

    For more chocolate cake recipes, check Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake and 3-Ingredient Chocolate Cake.

    Jump to:
    • About Chocolate Orange Cake
    • Why Does This Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe Works?
    • Ingredients
    • Variations & Substitutions
    • How To Make Chocolate Orange Cake?
    • The Best Chocolate For Chocolate Cake
    • Expert Tips!
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Easy Cake Recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • Comments

    About Chocolate Orange Cake

    The texture is moist, thanks to the fudgy chocolate buttercream and orange flavoring throughout! With just a hint of orange flavor, without being overpowering, this chocolate cake really does has a wonderfully fresh and delicious flavor!

    Chocolate Orange Cake is a perfect dessert for the whole family to share in the afternoon. Each bite will surely help you relax and chill. It is also a good breakfast dish to pair with your black coffee.

    It is quick and easy to make that you won't have to spend grueling hours baking in the kitchen just to have a taste of this luxury.

    Serving a slice of the chocolate orange cake topped with Terry's chocolate orange slices.

    Why Does This Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe Works?

    • Aside from its very delicious taste, this cake is also moist, rich and fluffy.
    • It is a budget-friendly, delicious dessert and easy recipe to try and make at home.
    • It is freezer-friendly. The taste and texture of the cake will never change, even if you store it inside the freezer.
    • It is a combination of citrus tastes and chocolate that everyone will enjoy.
    Cutting a slice of the chocolate orange cake.

    Ingredients

    For the Chocolate Cake

    Plain Flour (all purpose flour). Plain flour will allow you to control the rising of your cake batter more easily for better texture.

    Baking Powder. It will help the flour to make your batter rise and create a light texture for the cake.

    Caster Sugar. The best choice for your batter is caster sugar, as it easily dissolves in the mixture.

    Milk Chocolate. Milk chocolate provides a sweet and chocolatey flavor to your cake. It also adds notes of cooked milk and caramelized sugar, and a vanilla aftertaste.

    Cocoa Powder. It is the key to making this recipe taste like an actual chocolate cake since it gives a strong chocolate taste.

    Buttermilk. Baking this recipe requires the use of buttermilk to be successful. It aids in the creation of this cake that is light and soft.

    Eggs. Adding eggs to your cake gives them more structure as well as leavening, color, and flavor. The height and texture of this cake are dependent on the proportion of eggs and flour used.

    Orange Extract. Add just the right amount of citrus flavor to each bite of this cake by adding orange extract.

    For the Chocolate Orange Buttercream

    Butter. It is intended to be the primary ingredient in this sweet component of your cake. It is this that gives buttercream its structure.

    Icing Sugar. Icing sugar is the perfect sweetener for your buttercream as it will not overcome the taste of the rest of the ingredients.

    Milk Chocolate. Your chocolate cake isn't the only one that needs the wonderful flavor of milk chocolate; add this too in your chocolate orange buttercream.

    Cocoa Powder. Chocolate orange buttercream wouldn't be chocolate orange buttercream without the strong flavor of cocoa powder.

    Orange Extract. A sweet and tangy buttercream is the perfect component for your cake. You can use vanilla extract instead.

    Topping

    Terry's Chocolate Orange Slices. What is a better topping for your cake other than sweet and citrusy chocolate orange slices too?

    “See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.”

    Variations & Substitutions

    • If you prefer to add a more interesting taste or flavor to your cake, add dark chocolate chips to enhance the intense flavor of cocoa powder.
    • In case there is no buttermilk on hand, you may use sour cream as it too will add thicker and moister texture to the cake.
    • If you don't have any caster sugar at home, granulated sugar will work just fine in this recipe as well since it also gives a light and airy texture to the batter.
    • Feel free to decorate the cake by scattering some sprinkles on the top if you like.
    • If you don't have milk chocolate in your fridge, you can use milk; it will work just fine.
    • Eggless chocolate orange cake: Replace eggs with ½ cup orange juice and add ½ teaspoon baking soda.
    • For extra orange flavor, add ½ teaspoon orange zest to the buttercream.
    • Replace Terry's chocolate orange slices with fresh oranges or orange peel.
    Chocolate orange cake slices in serving plates.

    How To Make Chocolate Orange Cake?

    Before starting, preheat oven to 180°C/ 356°F and line two 20cm cake tins with baking parchment.

    Microwave the chocolate until fully melted. Mix butter and sugar until fluffy.

    One (Make the Cake): Microwave the chocolate for 20 seconds or until fully melted, then set aside to cool.

    Two: In a mixing bowl, mix butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in eggs, orange extract and buttermilk.

    Mix in eggs, orange extract and milk. Then Add flour, baking powder and cocoa powder.

    Three: Add flour, baking powder and cocoa powder, mix until well combined.

    Four: Stir in the melted chocolate.

    Divide the cake mixture between the two cake tins.

    Five: Divide the cake mixture between the two cake tins.

    Six: Bake for 25-30 minutes, then remove them from the oven and let them cool on a cooling rack.

    Seven (Make Chocolate Orange Buttercream): Microwave the chocolate for 20 seconds until melt and set it aside to cool completely.

    Eight: Whisk together the butter, icing sugar and cocoa powder.

    Nine: Whisk in orange extract and melted chocolate, then whisk until combined. The buttercream should have a spreadable consistency.

    Ten (Build the cake): Place the first layer of the chocolate orange sponge onto a serving plate.

    Eleven: Spread about ⅓ of the chocolate orange buttercream evenly on top of the sponge

    Twelve: Add the second layer of the cake and spread ⅓ of the buttercream on top and sides of the cake.

    Thirteen: Place the remaining buttercream into a piping bag with a star tip. Pipe swirls around the edge of the cake. Finally, place a slice of Chocolate Orange on top of each swirl.

    Cut a cake slice with the fork to eat.

    The Best Chocolate For Chocolate Cake

    When it comes to chocolate cakes, I recommend using one of the below chocolate types:

    Milk Chocolate: It contains about 12% milk, which makes it rich, and it has less amount of cocoa solids than dark chocolate.

    Dark Chocolate: It doesn't contain any milk or sweetener, and it has a little bit bitter taste.

    Semi-Sweet Chocolate: It contains about 50-60% cocoa solids and a
    moderately amount of sweetness.

    Expert Tips!

    • Don't overwork the batter! Just make sure that all of the ingredients are properly mixed.
    • Make certain that your flour is measured correctly! Spoon the mixture into the cup, measure and level with a knife.
    • Prepare your ingredients at room temperature to ensure that they will blend more smoothly.
    • If the buttercream is too thick, you can add 2 tablespoons of milk to make it thinner.
    cut the whole chocolate orange cake into slices and serve them into plates.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this delicious cake as a dessert after a full meal such as vegetable pasta bake or garlic butter chicken bites. Depending on your taste, you may also have this cake at breakfast with green tea or black coffee.

    Recipe FAQs

    What should I do with any leftover cake?

    Any cake leftovers can be kept in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature. Refrigeration is recommended for up to a week, but after roughly 3-4 days, the product will grow more dry owing to the refrigeration. Bring the dish to room temperature before serving to provide the optimum flavor and texture.

    Is it possible to freeze Chocolate Orange Cake?

    Yes, that is possible, as this is a freezer-friendly recipe! It is recommended that you slice it first and then freeze the pieces of it. Wrap the slices in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to keep them from drying out. You may store this cake in the freezer for up to a month. Make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving it to guests.

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    Recipe Card

    Chocolate orange cake topped with Terry's chocolate orange slices.
    Print Pin
    5 from 2 votes

    Easy Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

    This easy chocolate orange cake recipe is a delicious 2 layer sponge cake coated with rich chocolate buttercream and topped with Terry's chocolate orange slices!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes minutes
    Servings 16 servings
    Calories 533kcal
    Author Radwa

    Equipment

    • Springform
    • Kitchen knife
    • Mixing bowl
    • Electric hand mixer

    Ingredients

    For the cake

    • 200 g plain flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 230 g caster sugar
    • 100 ml milk chocolate
    • 40 g cocoa powder
    • 180 g butter , soft at room temperature
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 ½ teaspoon orange extract

    For the chocolate buttercream

    • 250 g butter , soft at room temperature
    • 250 g icing sugar
    • 40 g cocoa powder
    • 150 ml milk chocolate
    • ½ teaspoon orange extract

    Topping

    • 12 slices Terry's chocolate orange

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 180°C/ 356°F and line two 20cm cake tins with baking parchment.
    • Microwave the chocolate for 20 seconds or until fully melted, then set aside to cool.
      100 ml milk chocolate
    • In a mixing bowl, mix butter and sugar until fluffy.
      230 g caster sugar, 180 g butter
    • Mix in eggs, orange extract and buttermilk.
      4 large eggs, 1 ½ teaspoon orange extract, ½ cup buttermilk
    • Add flour, baking powder and cocoa powder, mix until well combined.
      200 g plain flour, 40 g cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • Stir in the melted chocolate.
    • Divide the cake mixture between the two cake tins.
    • Bake for 30-35 minutes, then remove them from the oven and let them cool.

    Make The Buttercream

    • Microwave the chocolate for 20 seconds until melt and set it aside to cool completely.
      150 ml milk chocolate
    • Whisk together the butter, icing sugar and cocoa powder.
      250 g butter, 250 g icing sugar, 40 g cocoa powder
    • Whisk in orange extract and melted chocolate, then whisk until combined.
      ½ teaspoon orange extract
    • The buttercream should have a spreadable consistency.

    Build the cake

    • Place the first layer of the cake onto a serving plate.
    • Spread about ⅓ of the buttercream evenly on top of the cake.
    • Add the second layer of the cake and spread ⅓ of the chocolate orange buttercream on top.
    • Place the remaining buttercream into a piping bag with a star tip.
    • Pipe swirls around the edge of the cake.
    • Finally, place a slice of chocolate orange on top of each swirl.
      12 slices Terry's chocolate orange

    Notes

    • Don't overwork the batter! Just make sure that all of the ingredients are properly mixed.
    • Make certain that your flour is measured correctly! Spoon the mixture into the cup, measure and level with a knife.
    • Prepare your ingredients at room temperature to ensure that they will blend more smoothly.
    • If the buttercream is too thick, you can add 2 tablespoons of milk to make it thinner.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 68IU | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HealthyLifeTrainer or tag #healthylifetrainer!

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    Hello! I’m Radwa, A wife and mother. Also, I am the recipe maker and food photographer behind Healthy Life Trainer. I love making new, simple and quick recipes every day.

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