Chocolate Orange Cake with Zesty Frosting
A delightful cake that combines rich chocolate with a hint of citrus, perfect for celebrations or as a sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit for 10 minutes
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 cup hot coffee or hot water
For the Zesty Frosting
- 250 grams butter at room temperature
- 4.5 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For Optional Orange Curd
- 3 egg yolks optional for orange curd
- 1/2 cup sugar optional for orange curd
- 1/2 cup orange juice optional for orange curd
- 30 grams butter optional for orange curd
- 1 teaspoon orange zest optional for orange curd
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) and grease three 20 cm (8 inch) cake pans.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients until they are smooth. Then stir in the hot coffee or water.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let the cakes cool completely.
Frosting
- For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, and then mix in the orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla.
Optional Orange Curd
- If you want to make optional orange curd, combine the egg yolks, sugar, orange juice, butter, and orange zest in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until it thickens, then let it cool.
Assembly
- To assemble the cake, place the first layer on a plate and spread it with orange curd or frosting. Repeat with the other layers.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting, and garnish as desired.
- Allow the cake to rest for 1-2 hours before serving to enhance the flavors.
Notes
Store your Chocolate Orange Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to three months. Tip: Measure ingredients accurately for the best results, and let cake layers cool completely before frosting.