This moist Chocolate Orange Cake recipe is made even easier thanks to boxed cake mix, orange extracts, and zest working to create an aromatic and flavorful cake worthy of licking the plate clean after.
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If you're looking for a cake that is as elegant as it is easy, this one is it. This chocolate and orange cake is easy to make and tastes incredibly good too. The orange isn't overpowering and is just visible enough that you can notice its presence.
This cake is a harmonious marriage of two beloved tastes that create a heavenly dessert experience. The deep, moist chocolate cake layers provide the perfect canvas for the bright and citrusy orange accents, making every bite a symphony of flavors.
The chocolate orange ganache frosting is the crowning glory of this cake. It's incredibly smooth and creamy, creating a delectable contrast to the cake's texture. You're going to love every slice of this choc orange cake!
For more orange flavored recipes, be sure to check out my Chocolate Orange Banana Bread, Orange Lemonade, Banana Orange Muffins, and Strawberry Banana Orange Smoothie.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. It may look impressive, but the only tricky part is patience. The ganache needs time to chill before whipping, which can be done the night before to make prep even easier.
- Perfectly balanced. Not too sweet and not too fruity, this cake hits a just right balance of flavors.
- Great for any occasion. Whether you're satisfying a sweet tooth or celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, this cake fits the moment.
🛒 Ingredients
Boxed cake mix. Use any good chocolate cake mix. I used Betty Crocker Delights Super Moist Chocolate Fudge, but Devil's Food works too. You can also use this mix in recipes like Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake and Devil's Food Cake Mix Brownies.
Orange extract. Orange extract provides a concentrated citrus flavor that orange juice can't match. We also use it in our Banana Orange Muffins, so it won't go to waste.
Chocolate. Semi sweet, milk, or dark chocolate all work, including chocolate chips or chopped bars. Avoid white chocolate, since ganache requires a different process.
Heavy cream. Creates a thick, rich ganache. For a dairy free option, canned coconut milk works well.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store-brand cake mix: Generic chocolate cake mix works just as well and keeps costs down.
Choose semi sweet chocolate: It is often cheaper than specialty chocolates and gives balanced flavor.
Zest before juicing: Use the full orange so nothing goes to waste and flavor goes further.
🥄 Instructions for Chocolate Orange Cake
Step 1: Prepare the ganache as directed in the recipe card and store it in the fridge until ready to use (Images 1&2).
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line 2 baking round cake pans with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.
Step 3: Add cake batter ingredients to large mixing bowl (Image 3). Beat together until fluffy (about 2 minutes).
Step 4: Divide the batter between the two prepped cake pans and bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean (Images 4&5).
Step 5: Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely (Image 6).
Step 6: Remove a cup of chilled ganache and mix it with orange zest in a bowl. Beat until stiff peaks form (Images 7&8).
Step 7: Frost the top of a cake with the whipped ganache and layer the other cake on top (Images 9&10).
Step 8: Spread half of the remaining ganache over the top and sides of the cake to cover and frost well.
Step 9: Place the last portion of the ganache into a piping bag with a fitted tip and pipe a nice border around the top and bottom of the cake.
Step 10: Garnish with oranges as desired and serve or place in the fridge until ready to slice.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Choose the right chocolate. Orange pairs beautifully with semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate for a balanced mix of rich, tangy, and sweet. Milk chocolate also works if you prefer it sweeter.
- Make ganache ahead. Prep the ganache in advance and chill overnight to save time on baking day.
- Whip it cold. Cold ganache whips faster and better. Use an electric mixer for best results.
- Speed up chilling. If short on time, chill the ganache in an ice bath or place it in the freezer for up to 20 minutes. Keep water away from the chocolate to prevent seizing.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store the fully assembled cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Let slices sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for best texture.
Make Ahead: The cake layers and ganache can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored separately in the fridge. Assemble the cake the day you plan to serve for the freshest look.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve with fresh berries, sliced oranges, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Coffee, espresso, or black tea pairs especially well with the chocolate orange flavor.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, this cake can be made up to a few days in advance or the ganache can be prepped up to two days in advance as well. Assembled or disassembled just keep it well covered in the fridge for safekeeping.
This cake is good for up to a week if stored covered in the fridge. Perfect for making sure you have plenty of time to enjoy every last bite.
Chocolate and orange make a perfect pair, enhancing each other's flavors. The natural sweetness of oranges balances the rich bitterness of chocolate. Give this dessert a try and savor the unique flavor fusion.
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🐝 If you tried this Chocolate Orange Cake, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Orange Cake
Ingredients
Ganache Frosting
- 16 ounces chocolate, chopped (about 2 ⅔ cups) - ($2.07)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream - ($2.98)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, divided - ($0.05)
Chocolate Orange Cake
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix - ($1.00)
- 3 large eggs - ($0.45)
- ½ cup vegetable oil - ($0.35)
- 1 ¼ cups water - ($0.00)
- 2 teaspoon orange extract - ($0.62)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest - ($0.15)
- ½ cup sour cream - ($0.50)
Instructions
Ganache Frosting
- Heat the cream. Place the chopped chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until very hot with bubbles around the edges but not boiling.
- Make the ganache. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Cover the bowl and let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth and glossy. Refrigerate until chilled and thickened.
Chocolate Orange Cake
- Preheat and prep. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix the batter. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, orange extract, orange zest, and sour cream. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Bake. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool. Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and cool completely.
Assembly
- Whip the filling. Remove 1 cup of chilled ganache and beat it with 1 teaspoon orange zest until stiff peaks form.
- Fill the cake. Spread or pipe the whipped ganache over the top of one cake layer, then place the second layer on top.
- Frost the cake. Use half of the remaining ganache to frost the top and sides of the cake evenly.
- Decorate. Transfer the remaining ganache to a piping bag and pipe a border around the top and bottom of the cake. Garnish with orange slices or zest if desired.
- Chill and serve. Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve. The ganache will continue to set as it chills.
Notes
- Chocolate choice. Semi-sweet chocolate provides a balanced flavor, but milk chocolate can be used for a sweeter cake.
- Ganache prep. Making the ganache ahead and chilling it helps with whipping and frosting.
- Whipping tip. Cold ganache whips faster and holds its shape better.
- Flat layers. Baking at 325°F creates flatter cake layers with less need for leveling.
- Make ahead. The cake and ganache can be prepared in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutritional Information
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cyndy says
Chocolate and orange is like a marriage of flavors made in heaven! Can't wait to give this one a try. Perfect for this weekend.
Jamie says
I love the combination of chocolate and orange, it's one of my favorite flavor combos! It looks so decadent too!
Bintu | Budget Delicious says
Chocolate orange is a combination that everyone in my family loves so this would go down a real treat! I love how easy it is to make too!
Michelle says
Loved making this recipe! I was looking for a good orange dessert recipe since it's citrus season and my partner wanted a chocolate recipe, so this was perfect! We loved the frosting!