Description
This vibrant Chocolate Orange Cake combines rich cocoa flavor with fresh citrus notes to create a moist, delightful dessert. Perfect for gatherings, this cake features a luscious orange-infused buttercream frosting that complements the chocolate layers beautifully.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons cacao powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 2/3 cup orange juice
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 5 ounces unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 360 °F (180 °C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the cake evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, cacao powder, and baking soda. Mix well to distribute all the ingredients uniformly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, water, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and vinegar until fully blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl, stirring continuously until you achieve a smooth cake batter without lumps.
- Prepare Cake Pans: Line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Divide the batter evenly between the pans.
- Bake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of each cake; it should come out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 20 minutes to firm up slightly. Then, carefully remove them and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Make Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, softened unsalted butter, orange zest, and orange extract. Whisk the mixture vigorously until the frosting is light, fluffy, and stiff enough to spread.
- Assemble Cake: Spread about two-thirds of the buttercream frosting on one cake layer, then place the second cake layer on top. Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the assembled cake evenly.
Notes
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- If you prefer a stronger orange flavor, add a bit more orange zest or extract to the frosting.
- Use parchment paper in cake pans to make removing the cake layers easier and prevent sticking.
- Measure ingredients accurately for the best texture, especially the cocoa powder and liquids.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
