
Chocolate cakes are always an excellent choice. No one says no to a thick, fudgy slice. Still, not all chocolate cakes are created equal. Amongst my favorite, there’s the chocolate orange cake.
When I first heard about this one, I had my doubts. After all, the summery, refreshing scent of oranges is the opposite of the heart-warming and comforting chocolate.
Well, it is true, opposites attract. There are few combinations as attractive as chocolate and oranges, and this cake is proof of it.
To make an easy version of this tasty and fragrant cake, you need lots of butter, brown sugar and several eggs. This one is one of those thick, decadent cakes.
We’re also using flour, of course, baking powder, milk and salt. The key ingredients here are orange juice, half a cup, and orange zest, plus more for garnish.
This cake recipe is also pretty traditional. You know the drill — the dry ingredients in one bowl, the wet ingredients in another. Then bring it all together.
The result is a lovely, silky and glossy dough that becomes a fluffy cake with lots of flavor and the unmistakable sweet scents of fresh oranges.
If you thought chocolate cakes were too heavy for summer, think again. This cake is the best of both worlds. Chocolate and oranges are a match made in heaven.
My favorite way of decorating this specialty is with chocolate frosting and candied orange peels. Yes, you can eat orange peels as long as you coat them with sugar and bake them until crackly.
You can also decorate the cake with vanilla or buttercream frosting and top it with orange zest. This one is easy, and the cake looks beautifully rustic!
Grease a 9″ cake pan and set it aside.
In a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar until frothy.
Add the eggs one at a time until incorporated.
Add the orange juice and milk. Mix well.
In a second bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, orange zest and salt.
Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and combine.
Preheat the oven to 350°F
Pour the mixture into the cake pan.
Bake for 35 minutes or until cooked through.
Garnish with your favorite chocolate frosting and garnish with extra orange zest!