Go Back
–+ servings
A slice of homemade chocolate orange cake with creamy orange filling, chocolate ganache topping, and a fresh orange slice on top.

Chocolate Orange Cake

5 from 1 vote
A rich and moist chocolate cake infused with bright orange flavor, this Chocolate Orange Cake blends nostalgic holiday flavors with a sophisticated texture. Perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling & Assembly Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 460
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa - Can substitute natural cocoa w/ adjustment
  • 1¾ cups Granulated sugar - Rubbed with orange zest
  • 1½ teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 4 Eggs - Room temperature
  • ½ cup Vegetable oil - Or melted butter or coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon Orange extract - Or Grand Marnier
  • ½ cup Orange juice - Freshly squeezed
  • ½ cup Buttermilk - Or dairy-free alternative
  • 2 tablespoon Orange zest - Rubbed into sugar
  • ½ cup Sour cream - Or Greek yogurt
Frosting
  • 8 oz Bittersweet chocolate - Chopped
  • 1 cup Heavy cream - Or full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon Orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon Orange extract
  • 1 pinch Salt - Enhances flavor
  • ¼ cup Powdered sugar - Optional, for extra sweetness

Equipment

  • 2 8-inch round cake pans (Greased, lined with parchment)
  • 1 Electric mixer (Stand or hand mixer)
  • 1 Mixing bowls (Various sizes)
  • 1 Rubber spatula (For folding)
  • 1 Whisk (For dry ingredients)
  • 1 set Measuring cups & spoons (Dry and liquid measuring tools)
  • 1 Cooling rack (For cooling cake layers)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven and prepare pans.
  2. Rub orange zest into sugar until fragrant.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, leaveners, salt).
  4. Beat eggs and orange-sugar mixture. Add oil and extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry mix and orange-buttermilk to egg mixture.
  6. Fold in sour cream with spatula.
  7. Divide batter into pans and bake.
  8. Cool in pans, then transfer to wire rack.
  9. Make ganache with cream, chocolate, zest, and extract.
  10. Assemble cake and frost top and sides.

Nutrition

Serving: 125gCalories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 6gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 280mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 3gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 3.2mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!