The Best Chocolate Orange Cake (Perfect for Holidays!)

If you're a fan of sweet and tangy desserts, this Chocolate Orange Cake is a match made in heaven for you. The rich orange cake layered with chocolate buttercream frosting creates an irresistibly moist and flavorful dessert. The combination of chocolate and orange will leave you licking your fingers!

This delicious cake features a blend of chocolate and orange, creating a burst of flavor in every bite. Plus, the contrasting textures of this moist cake and smooth buttercream frosting add an extra layer of deliciousness to the dessert.

Whether you're hosting a party or satisfying your sweet tooth, this cake is guaranteed to become a crowd-pleaser. Plus, we've included handy tips on how to bake the perfect cake sponges, make a creamy buttercream frosting, and even how to beautifully decorate your cake. 

Want to learn how to make this chocolate orange cake recipe? Then keep on reading. 

Table of Contents

• What is Chocolate Orange Cake?
• What Makes This Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe Special?
• What You Need to Make Chocolate Orange Cake at Home
• How to Make Chocolate Orange Cake (Step-by-Step)
• Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Orange Cake Ever
• Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Orange Cake
• Recipe Variation Ideas for Chocolate Orange Cake
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Store Leftover Chocolate Orange Cake
• Similar Recipes You'll Love
• Recipe Card
• The Best Chocolate Orange Cake (Perfect for Holidays!)
• Comments

What is Chocolate Orange Cake?

Chocolate orange cake is a delicious blend of rich chocolate and refreshing citrus flavors. It’s made by primarily combining a moist, orange-infused cake with a creamy, chocolate frosting. 

The recipe calls for basic ingredients along with distinctive elements like orange zest and unsweetened cocoa powder. The result is a cake and frosting that will definitely impress your guests at a gathering.

This cake is absolutely delicious and easy to make. The cake's combination of flavors and textures is truly remarkable. The moist, fluffy cake pairs perfectly with the creamy, rich frosting, and the orange zest adds a bright, fresh note that cuts through the richness of the chocolate. 

Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. 

What Makes This Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe Special?

• Easy to make: This chocolate orange cake recipe is straightforward and simple, with step-by-step instructions that guide you from mixing the cake batter to baking and decorating. It is incredibly easy to make, even for those new to baking.
• Family Favorite: With its vibrant orange flavor and rich chocolate frosting, this cake is a hit with adults and kids alike. The addition of orange zest and orange extract infuses the cake with a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with a delicious chocolate buttercream.
• Versatile: This recipe allows you to play with textures and flavors. You can choose to decorate with frosted orange slices or keep it simple with just the chocolate glaze. 
• Delicious: Every bite of this cake offers a burst of orange flavor, complemented by the rich and creamy chocolate frosting. The use of both orange extract and orange zest in the batter guarantees that the citrus flavor shines through.
• Holiday Ready: This chocolate orange cake is a definite crowd-pleaser. Its stunning presentation, combined with the irresistible combination of chocolate and orange, makes it a perfect centerpiece for any gathering or celebration.

What You Need to Make Chocolate Orange Cake at Home

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this chocolate orange cake recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For the Cake:

• All-Purpose Flour: It's the structure of our cake. It absorbs the wet ingredients, giving our cake its body and substance.
• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These are the leavening agents that make our cake rise, creating a light and fluffy texture.
• Sea Salt: A pinch of this intensifies all the other flavors in the cake.
• Eggs: These are crucial for structure and stability. Room temperature eggs mix well with the batter and rise more easily when baked.
• Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the cake and also helps in achieving a tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract and Orange Extract: These give our cake a wonderful aroma and flavor. The orange extract enhances the orange flavor in the cake.
• Orange Zest: It infuses our cake with a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Kefir or Buttermilk: These add moisture and tenderness to the cake, and also help in activating the baking soda.

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• Unsalted Butter: Used in the buttercream frosting, it gives a rich and creamy texture and flavor.
• Cream Cheese: This adds a tangy flavor to the frosting and helps in achieving a smooth and thick consistency.
• Espresso Coffee: This deepens the chocolate flavor in our frosting.
• Cocoa or Cacao Powder: Provides a deep, rich chocolate flavor to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting and helps in achieving a smooth and spreadable consistency.
• Chocolate Ganache: Made from a Hershey chocolate bar and whole milk, it gives our frosting a glossy finish and rich chocolate flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: It will add a delicious vanilla aroma and flavor that will take your buttercream to the next level.
• Sea Salt: This brings out the flavors even more and makes the frosting taste even better.

To Decorate:

• Frosted Orange Slices: These are used for decoration, giving our cake a festive and appealing look. They also add a refreshing citrusy note (see how to frost fruit).
• Pine Tree Stems: These are purely decorative, adding a rustic and seasonal touch to our cake.

How to Make Chocolate Orange Cake (Step-by-Step)

Making this incredible chocolate orange cake is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

How to Make Orange Cake Batter (X2)

Begin by preheating your oven to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll then need to prepare a large, specifically a 16x22 inch cake pan. To do this, lightly grease the pan and line it with a sheet of parchment paper for easy removal of the cake later on.

Next, sift together your dry ingredients. This should include all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This process will help to remove any lumps and allow for a smoother batter.

Using an electric mixer, beat together the eggs and sugar on a high setting for about five minutes. The result should be a mixture that is light, fluffy, and pale yellow in color.

At this point, reduce the mixer speed to medium or low and add in the vanilla and orange extracts, orange zest, and buttermilk. Continue to blend these ingredients for another minute. The consistency of the batter will be somewhat thin, which is exactly what we want.

Once you have mixed these ingredients well, remove the bowl from the mixer stand. Gradually add the dry ingredients you sifted earlier into the egg mixture, about half a cup at a time. 

Use a whisk or a silicon spatula to gently incorporate the dry ingredients with each addition, taking care not to deflate the air pockets as much as possible.

How to Bake the Orange Cake Layers

Pour the prepared cake batter into the greased and lined cake pan. Let it bake in your preheated oven for about fifteen minutes.

After baking, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for approximately ten minutes. Then, transfer it from the baking sheet onto a cooling rack for further cooling.

Repeat this process to make another sheet cake using the same ingredients. You will need two sheet cakes for this recipe, so make sure that both are completely cool before moving on to the frosting stage.

How to Make the Orange Cake Frosting (X2)

The frosting for this cake involves a chocolate ganache, which you should prepare first and allow it to cool completely.

To make the frosting, beat room temperature butter until it becomes creamy and smooth. Then, add cream cheese and continue to beat until both ingredients are well combined.

While the mixer is running on low speed, add in the vanilla extract and a shot of espresso coffee. Next, stir in the cooled chocolate ganache and continue mixing until it is well combined.

Add in the unsweetened cocoa powder, followed by powdered sugar in increments of half a cup at a time. Once the powdered sugar is well blended in, increase the speed of the mixer to high and beat for another minute.

How to Assemble the Orange Cake

Once your cake layers are completely cooled, it is time to assemble the cake.

Start by splitting each sheet cake in half vertically to create four separate cake layers. Spread an even layer of frosting over each cake layer.

Roll the first layer as you would a jelly roll and make sure that the cake doesn't break. Continue this process with the remaining layers, lining them up with the previous roll.

Once all layers are rolled and frosted, wrap the entire cake in parchment paper and refrigerate for at least eight hours, or ideally overnight.

Decorating the Orange Cake

The next day, prepare another batch of frosting. Carefully remove the parchment paper from the cake and frost the top and sides.

Create a swirl design on the top and sides of the cake using an offset spatula or a cake decorating comb.

Decorate the cake with fresh pine tree stems and frosted orange slices for a festive touch. Return the cake to the fridge for a couple more hours before serving.

Remember, slicing this cake cleanly is important. Use a sharp knife and cut in a sawing motion to guarantee neat slices. Enjoy your delicious chocolate orange cake!

Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Orange Cake Ever

• Preheat the Oven: Always preheat your oven before you start mixing your ingredients. This guarantees that your cake will bake evenly and rise properly.
• Use Fresh Oranges: For a more intense orange flavor, use fresh oranges for the orange zest and extract. The freshness of the oranges will make a big difference in the taste of the cake.
• Measure Accurately: Be sure to measure your ingredients accurately. Especially with baking powder and baking soda, a little too much or too little can affect the texture and rise of your cake.
• Don't Overmix the Batter: After adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stir just until the flour is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake.
• Use Parchment Paper: Line your cake pans with parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove the cake from the pans without it sticking.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Let your cake layers cool completely before applying the buttercream frosting. If the cake is still warm, the frosting may melt and slide off.
• Refrigerate Before Decorating: After assembling and frosting your cake, refrigerate it for at least a few hours or overnight. This will make the cake more firm and easier to decorate, and it will help the flavors meld together.

Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Orange Cake

• For a delightful dessert, serve slices of this chocolate orange cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creaminess of the ice cream compliments the rich, orange flavor of the cake.
• If you're looking for a sweet start to your day, have a slice of this cake with your morning coffee. The citrusy orange zest in the cake pairs perfectly with the bitterness of the coffee.
• For a fancy dinner party, serve this chocolate orange cake as the grand finale. Pair it with a glass of dessert wine for a delicious treat.
• This cake also makes a great afternoon tea companion. Its rich chocolate and orange flavors compliment a variety of teas like Earl Grey or a citrusy herbal tea.
• If you're having a picnic or a barbecue, this cake can be a fantastic outdoor treat. Just wrap individual slices in plastic wrap for a sweet, portable dessert.

Recipe Variation Ideas for Chocolate Orange Cake

This delicious chocolate orange cake recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

• Try it with Almond: If you're a fan of nutty flavors, this variation is for you. Simply replace half a cup of the all-purpose flour with finely ground almonds. This will add a subtle crunch and a hint of almond flavor to your chocolate orange cake, complementing the citrus notes perfectly.
• Make it Dark: For dark chocolate lovers, this variation is a must-try. Swap the cocoa powder with dark unsweetened cocoa powder in the frosting. The intensified chocolate flavor will bring a complex depth to your chocolate orange cake.
• Add Some Spice: If you enjoy a hint of spice, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients. The warm spice will accentuate the orange flavor and add an exciting twist to your chocolate orange cake recipe.
• Top it with Coconut: For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle shredded coconut on top of the buttercream frosting before it sets. The sweet, tropical taste of the coconut pairs wonderfully with the chocolate and orange, giving your cake a unique twist.
• Infuse it with Coffee: If you love the combination of coffee and chocolate, add two tablespoons of instant coffee to the wet ingredients. The coffee will enhance the richness of the chocolate, making your orange chocolate cake recipe even more delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftover Chocolate Orange Cake

Storing your delicious chocolate orange cake properly is crucial to maintaining its delightful orange flavor and moist textures. But you can easily store it.

To store in the fridge, allow your chocolate orange cake to cool completely on a cooling rack before attempting to store it. This will prevent condensation from forming, which can make the cake soggy.

f your cake is frosted with buttercream frosting or chocolate ganache, it is best to store it in the fridge. Place the cake in a cake carrier if you have one, or carefully wrap it in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

The cake can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Remember to let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving to bring out the best flavors and textures.

This chocolate orange cake recipe freezes beautifully, thanks to its moist nature. To freeze, first let the cake cool completely.

Once cooled, wrap the cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. If your cake is already frosted with chocolate orange frosting, you can freeze it as is.

The cake can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. 

When you're ready to enjoy your cake, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

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