Last updated on July 18th, 2022.
When you are looking for a way to truly indulge this Chocolate Orange Cake is the best way. A rich cake made with two types of chocolate, two types of orange flavoring, and topped with the smoothest chocolate ganache.
When I think about it, there is only one thing better than the smell of a fresh orange zest spraying the air. Chocolate. I guess this is why chocolate and orange desserts are so popular worldwide.
So why not bring them both together for an epic dessert? It is simple math.
This cake my friends is not for the weak-hearted (much like these Biscoff Brownies, and these Chocolate Drop Cookies). This chocolate orange cake is rich, delicious and a mouthful of chocolate cake accompanied by fresh orange flavors. Plus it is loaded with the smoothest, most indulging chocolate ganache, and I love that it calls for fresh oranges.
If you are in the mood for something a bit more traditional, try this Chocolate Poundcake, or these Chocolate Muffins.
Why this chocolate orange recipe?
If I didn’t have you in chocolate, then here are a few other reasons you should bake this chocolate orange cake recipe:
- Easy to make. As easy as baking a simple pound cake, you can use a stand mixer, an electric mixer, or even a whisk.
- Comforting. This cake is the most comforting and warming homemade recipe. Not too sweet. And perfect for those who are not a fan of straightforward sweets.
- Any-time dessert. While it’s rich and indulging, the cake can be served any day for any occasion. Dinner dessert, family gathering, or birthdays. Go ahead and bake this recipe as an orange chocolate birthday cake, I’ll say it was your idea.
- Impressive and therapeutic. Baking is therapy, that is no secret, but it is nice to get some compliments and “wows”, this choc orange cake recipe will do just that!
- Delicious. This cake is moist, tender, and full of flavors, but not too much. Not too much chocolate flavor and not too much orange flavor. Just the right amount of both.
Ingredients used for this simple orange chocolate cake recipe
The cake calls for simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry.
- Cake flour and AP (All purpose flour). The combination of the two types of flour will give us a tender crumbly cake texture. See below for the substation.
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Sugar
- Orange zest
- Eggs
- Olive oil. The olive oil really complements and brings out all of the chocolate flavors.
- Cocoa Powder, I like to use dark cocoa powder. Make sure to learn more about Dark Dutch Cocoa Powder vs. Natural Cocoa Powder and also What Is Cocoa Powder.
- Unsweetened chocolate
- Half and Half
- Chopped candied orange slices. The chopped slices will add flavor and texture to the cake. However, please note that the small bites are very chewy for those who are not fans.
Substitutions:
The chocolate and orange are key ingredients in this chocolate orange dessert, but there are a few substitutions options for them as well:
- Use semi-sweet chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate.
- Replace the half and half with hot coffee or warm milk.
- Use chocolate chips instead of chopped candied orange slices.
- Add two tsp of orange extract or orange oil instead of the orange zest.
- Use vegetable oil instead of olive oil.
How to make this chocolate orange cake?
The secret in this recipe is the very first step of blooming the cocoa powder and chopped chocolate with half and a half and by doing so we bring out all the flavors. You can find the full recipe at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, place the cocoa powder, unsweetened chocolate, and pour over the half and half. Let sit for a few minutes then use a fork to mix it all into a smooth paste. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or a bowl of a standing mixer place the sugar and use a fork to rub the orange zest in. Add the eggs and beat on low until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
- At low speed then drizzle in the olive oil.
- Once the oil has been fully incorporated add the dry ingredients alternating with the wet ingredients (chocolate mixture) starting and finishing with the flour mixture.
- Next, fold in the chopped candied oranges.
- pour the batter into the pan.
MAKING THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE
This chocolate ganache is a fantastic recipe I use to frost many other cakes, such as THIS chocolate celebration cake. The ganache takes about 1-2 hours to reach room temperature and be ready to apply on the cake, so plan.
- Bring the heavy cream and sugar to a simmer, then pour it over the chocolate.
- Allow a few minutes for the hot mixture to melt the chocolate, then use a small whisk to mix it all.
Variations
This cake is all about the flavor combination of chocolate and orange, so there is not my wiggling space. But here are some of my tips:
- Cupcakes. Bake the cake batter as cupcakes and top with chocolate ganache. Fill the cupcakes liners 3/4 full and bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cupcakes.
- Skip the oranges. Instead of chocolate and orange cake, you can make it chocolate cake only. Do not add the orange zest and chopped orange slices. Add 1 tbsp of vanilla extract.
- Different toppings. Top the cake with chocolate whipped cream, orange frosting, or orange buttercream.
- Flavored ganache. Add 1 tsp of orange oil to the ganache to make the orange ganache.
- Mix it up. This recipe can easily be made as a chocolate citrus cake. Simply replace the oranges with blood orange, lime, grapefruit, or even lemon.
Assembling and decorating the cake
Once the cake has cooled completely, remove it from the cooling rack and place it on top of a serving plate or a cake stand.
Use an offset spatula to evenly spread the ganache over the top of the cake. Decorate with some extra candied orange slices.
Make ahead and store:
You can make it ahead one day ahead and keep it at room temperature. Or, you can bake 10 days ahead and freeze. Make sure to tightly wrap it in plastic wrap. Do not store the cake in the refrigerator, it will dry out.
Expert tips
Please take a moment to go through the tips below for a successful bake.
- Make sure all of the ingredients, especially the eggs are at room temperature.
- If you are making the chocolate ganache ahead of time, place it at room temperature and cover it with plastic wrap. I would avoid over mixing, it might lose its glossy appearance.
- Spread the ganache up to about ½” away from the edges of the cake for easy slicing.
- You can buy candied orange slices or, it is a good idea to make them at home, see below a short tutorial.
- Do not store the cake in the refrigerator, it will dry out.
- For even tall cake edges, make sure to only spray the bottom of the cake. The ungreased pan will allow the cake to easily rise. Then when it is time to release the cake, slide a knife between the sides of the cake and the pan and carefully invert the cake.
How to make candied oranges?
If you have some old oranges in your fridge, here is a delicious candy you can easily make. Below are the instructions for 1 medium-sized orange. Note that the orange slices are chewy.
- Slice the orange 1/2″ thick, make sure they are all at the same thickness.
- In a large wide pan, mix 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water, mix for the sugar to disolve.
- Line the orange slices and cook over medium high heat until boiling, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 45-60 minutes. The oranges are ready when the white rim is translucent.
- Remove from the pan and cover with sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature and set.
FAQ
Use all-purpose flour and add 2 tsp of potato starch.
Yes, do not add the baking soda.
Replace the unsweetened chocolate with milk chocolate and add milk chocolate chips. Reduce sugar to ¾ cup (150 g)
Yes.
Yes. Make sure to bake just until a cake tester comes out clean from the center of the cake.
Yes, you will need to double the recipe.
Yes, orange cake with chocolate frosting is another great chocolate orange cake idea.
No, sponge cake is a different recipe.
No, make sure to use the metric measurements.
Did you try this recipe?
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More recipes you might like
Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes, Chocolate Matcha Brownies, Chocolate Birthday Cake
Read More About Chocolate
Chocolate Orange Cake
A delicous and flavorful chocolate orange cake
Ingredients
- 1/8 Cup Chopped unsweetened chocolate (30 g / 1 oz)
- 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder ( 30 g / 1 oz)
- 3/4 Cup Half and Half, hot (180 ml / 6 oz)
- 3/4 Cup Cake Flour (90 g / 3 oz)
- 1/4 Cup AP Flour (30 g / 1 oz)
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/4 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 Salt
- 1 + 2 TBS Cup Sugar (225 g / 4 oz)
- 1 Zest of 1 medium orange
- 2 Large Eggs
- 3/4 Cup Olive oil (180 ml / 6 oz)
- 6 Slices Candied orange, finely chopped (60 g / 2 oz)
Chocolate Ganache
- 2 Cups Dark chocolate chopped (280 g / 10 oz)
- 1 Cup Heavy cream (240 ml / 8 oz)
- 1/4 Cup Light brown sugar (56 g / 2 oz)
Instructions
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Place the cocoa powder and chopped chocolate in a medium bowl and pour over the hot half and half. Let sit for about 4-5 minutes.
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Use a spoon or a fork to mix the ingredients together into a smooth paste. Set aside.
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In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mix to blend. Set aside.
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In a bowl of a standing mixer, place the sugar and orange zest and use a fork to rub the zest into the sugar.
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Add the egg and beat on medium until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
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Reduce speed to low and drizzle in the olive oil, beat until fully incorporated.
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Starting and finishing with the dry ingredients, add the flour alternating with the chocolate mix.
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Right after adding the last part of the flour, stop the mixer and use a rubber spatula to incorporate any flour and the chopped candied oranges.
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Pour the batter into a grease 8" round cake and bake for 35-40 minutes in a 350F preheated oven.
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The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake.
Chocolate Ganache
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Over the stove, heat the cream and sugar to a simmer while stirring. Do not let it boil.
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Pour the cream mixture over the chocolate and set aside for about 5 minutes.
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Slowly stir the chocolate and cream until smooth and shiny. If you notice some unmelted chocolate bumps heat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
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Let the chocolate mixture cool. As it cools it will get a paste-like texture.
How do you candy the oranges? Do you include the peel?
Hi Teresa,
I use store-bough candied oranges and yes I include the peel.
Hi chef…can I make cake flour at home ..it’s difficult to find near my house …or should I use only APF
Yes you can, I would mix 2 tsp potato starch with the APF.
This cake is totally delicious even without the ganache! One comment, the mix of unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, and half and half does not make a paste, but rather 6 oz of chocolate liquid. The cake required 50 minutes to bake not 35-40. Was there an error in the amount of half and half?
Thank you Barbara,
As long as you followed the measurements paste or liquid should be ok. About the baking time, keep in mind that different ovens bake differently and the environment (like the weather) can effect the baking time. It sounds like you handled the recipe just well.
Hi there! What can I sub half and half for?
Coffee should be fine.
Hello!
Would Dutch unsweetened cocoa powder work instead?
Instead of what?
Hi, egg substitute pls
Hi Anita,
So sorry but I do not have any egg substitution for you
Hi, I live in Gemarny and am not sure about “Half and Half, hot “what is Half and Half , hot ?
Is this Coffee or Milk ?
Thanks in advance!
Half and half is a combination of milk and cream. You can use half of the amount milk and the rest cream
Hi there, is the cocoa powder unsweetened. By unsweetened chocolate do you mean bittersweet? Or fully unsweetened? If so, can I substitute bittersweet and reduce the sugar?
the cocoa butter is unsweetened and so is the chopped chocolate, you can use bittersweet but I would not reduce the sugar since it contributes to the moistness of the cake.
For the ganache you say dark chocolate. What would you recommend? Unsweetened, 70%, 69%?
Thanks
anything between 56%-75%, and definitely not unsweetened.
Hi Dee, is the measurement of dark choc for the frosting correct? Because it’s double from the choc celebration cake recipe.
Thanks
Different types of chocolate will give different results. Try the recipe as is, if it is too runny, add some more chocolate.
Okay Dee, thanks for the quick reply, I’m making it today for my son’s birthday.
“For even tall cake edges, make sure to only spray the bottom of the cake. The ungreased pan will allow the cake to easily rise. Then when it is time to release the cake, slide a knife between the sides of the cake and the pan and carefully invert the cake.”
I’m curious why you recommend this? My training has me use parchment paper on the bottom, a heat core for the middle and then use a mixture of flour fat/oil that I brush on the sides. I bake my round cakes with a cake strip and do not use the convection setting on my oven. Do you not put on anything on the sides because of taste? or appearance? Since I have the parchment on the bottom, I do not grease the bottom of the pan. Appreciate learning your thoughts about an alternate technique. Thanks.
Hi Bruce,
I found that when I grease the sides of the pan since it is greasy the cake can not rise as tall. When that happens, instead of having a straight tall edges the edges collapse towards the center.
This is why I do not grease the sides, it’s the same reason we don’t grease the pan when we bake Angel food cake or Chiffon cake. Hope this helps!
Hi Dee, do you think this would work okay in a 6” pan? And if I made it a layered cake?
Yes, it should be fine. Remember to adjust the baking time