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!
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About Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe
I am a big fan of this cake. It tastes and looks FANTASTIC! Let's talk about the taste and texture of this 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!
Each bite from this sweet delight is filled with zesty chocolate buttercream. I am so proud of how this cake turned out!
Sponge Cake
I like to bake the cake in 2 different pans instead of one and then split it. I find that it is much better for me and takes less baking time. I also find that using good quality cocoa powder is so important for a better taste!
I also flavored the cake with an orange extract, which is optional, by the way. However, it just added that lovely orange flavour that I LOVE so much!
Buttercream
I made a simple yet thick and delicious buttercream to cover the cake. To be honest, buttercream isn't my favourite for decorating cakes because I use a lot of butter in making it, which isn't ideal for me.
So, what I realized after making lots and lots of chocolate cakes is decorating with cream cheese or whipped cream is lighter. So, it's up to you, but regarding the taste of the buttercream that I made, it is PHENOMENAL!
Why We Love This Recipe
- 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.
For more chocolate cake recipes, check Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake and 3-Ingredient Chocolate Cake.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake
Plain Flour(all purpose flour). I prefer to use plain flour as it allows me to control the rising of the 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. I like to use caster sugar, as it easily dissolves in the mixture.
Milk Chocolate. Milk chocolate provides a sweet and chocolatey flavor to your cake but you may use dark chocolate if you want.
Cocoa Powder. It is the key to making this recipe taste like an actual chocolate cake since it gives a strong chocolate taste. I recommend using a good quality cocoa powder for best results.
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. I used 4 large eggs.
Orange Extract. It adds just the right amount of citrus flavor to each bite of this cake.
For the Chocolate Orange Buttercream: I used butter, Icing sugar and milk chocolate, cocoa powder and orange extract.
For Topping: I used 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
- 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.
- 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.
How To Make Chocolate Orange Cake?
Before starting, preheat oven to 180°C/ 356°F and line two 20cm cake tins with baking parchment.
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, chocolate milk and buttermilk.
Three: Add flour, baking powder and cocoa powder, mix until well combined.
Four: Stir in the melted chocolate.
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.
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.
Serving Suggestions
I like to 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 medjool date shake or chocolate bubble tea.
How To Store
Any cake leftovers can be kept in an airtight container for 1-2 days at room temperature. or in the fridge for up to a week.
Freezing: This is a freezer-friendly recipe! I recommend 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.
The cake will last for up to a month in the freezer. Make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving it.
Easy Chocolate Cake Recipes
- 3-Ingredient Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake With Ganache
- Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Cake
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Recipe Card
Easy Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the cake
- 200 g plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 230 g caster sugar
- 100 ml chocolate milk
- 100 g milk chocolate chips
- 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 g milk chocolate chips
- 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 g milk chocolate chips
- In a mixing bowl, mix butter and sugar until fluffy.230 g caster sugar, 180 g butter
- Mix in eggs, orange extract, chocolate milk and buttermilk.½ cup buttermilk, 4 large eggs, 1 ½ teaspoon orange extract, 100 ml chocolate milk
- 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 g milk chocolate chips
- 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.
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