Chocolate Orange Cake

a zesty topped chocolate indulgence!

I just love this chocolate orange cake recipe and my favourite way to indulge is to eat it warm with my chocolate glaze and of course fresh cream served on the side. A bit over the top I know but it really is worth it. The zesty orange syrup glaze that you pour over the orange chocolate cake really adds to the moistness of the cake. For an added indulgence add 1 tablespoon of your favourite orange liqueur to the orange syrup just before serving. If this is the first time you have been to my site then you may be interested in my other variations of this chocolate cake to see how versatile this easy cake recipe really is.

 

Please read through my chocolate orange cake recipe first before starting.

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If you have any questions concerning baking terms used you will find the answers on my Baking Glossary page.

chocolate orange cake recipe

Makes a 20cm cake (8") .

Spray a 20cm (8") round cake baking pan with non-stick baking spray. Line the base with non-stick baking paper. This is important as this cake will stick to the pan if you do not take this step.

Ingredients.

250g butter, chopped
1 cup (250ml) water
1/2 cup orange juice concentrate
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
1/3 cup (35g) cocoa powder
2/3 cup (100g) dark chocolate, chopped
zest of one orange, finely grated
1 2/3 cups (250g) plain flour, sifted
1 teaspoon bi-carbonate of soda (bi-carb soda)

Baking Temperature

The oven should be preheated to 160oC (325oF).

Method.

1. Combine the butter, water, orange juice concentrate, sugar, cocoa powder and chocolate together in a medium sized saucepan.
2. Place over gentle heat. Bring to the boil whilst stirring. You need to stir until everything has dissolved to stop the mix from burning. Be careful that the mix does not boil over.
3. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat. Add the orange zest. Cover with a lid and leave to cool to room temperature. To cool this quickly place the saucepan in a sink of cold water.
5. Whisk in gently the flour and bi-carb soda into the cooled liquid. Whisk until all lumps are removed. Do not over whisk; you are not trying to add air into the batter just remove any flour lumps.
6. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan. Remember the baking pan must be lined with non-stick baking paper. The batter will be quite liquid and will level naturally. Tap the tin on the kitchen bench three times to remove any large air bubbles.
7. Bake in a preheated oven set at 160oC (325oF) for 80 mins. The top of the cake will crack. Don’t worry the cracks will settle and will be hidden when you turn the cake out of the tin.
8. Make the orange syrup topping while the cake is baking.
9. Remove from the oven. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins. Gently and very carefully turn out the orange chocolate cake on to your serving plate.
10. Top with the orange syrup. Take the orange slices out and arrange them on the cake. Then pour over the syrup. Leave to cool or serve warm. You can warm the finished chocolate orange cake gently in the microwave if you want to make it ahead of time and still serve it warm.

orange syrup recipe

Ingredients.

1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
2 oranges, one thinly sliced and the other the zest only thinly sliced into strips
1/2 cup orange juice concentrate

Method.

1. Add the sugar and water to a medium sized saucepan. Dissolve the sugar over low heat.
2. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add the orange slices and zest strips. Gently shake the pan to cover the oranges in syrup. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add the orange juice concentrate and gently shake the pan to combine. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat. Stand 10 minutes. Any foam that is on the top will disappear on standing. The syrup is now ready to use. If you are adding any orange liqueur to the syrup add it just before pouring over the cake.

I hope you have been inspired by my chocolate orange cake recipe. Don't forget if you love chocolate cake and lets face it who doesn't! check out my easy chocolate cake recipefor more delicious variations. If you really want to indulge and would like to serve this orange cake with a rich dark chocolate sauce try my chocolate glaze, the recipe can be found here.

 

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