The Ultimate Chocolate Orange Cake: Easy & Moist

One year, for my daughter Lily’s birthday, I wanted to bake something that felt as bright and cheerful as she is. I landed on a Chocolate Orange Cake, and it was a hit! The combination of rich chocolate and zesty orange was absolutely divine. This recipe will guide you to creating a perfect Chocolate Orange Cake that will take approximately 45 minutes to make.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Orange Cake

This Chocolate Orange Cake isn’t just delicious; it’s a little slice of happiness! Here’s why I think you’ll absolutely adore it:

• Incredibly Moist: The buttermilk and orange juice work together to create a cake that’s unbelievably tender and moist.
• Intense Orange Flavor: With orange extract and fresh orange juice, the citrus notes really shine through in every bite.
• Quick to Prepare: From start to finish, this recipe can be ready in under an hour, perfect for busy days.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, holiday gathering, or just a cozy night in, this cake is always a crowd-pleaser.

What Makes This the Best Chocolate Orange Cake?

What sets this cake apart from the rest? It’s all about the ingredients and how they work together.

The buttermilk adds a wonderful tang and helps create a tender crumb, ensuring the cake is moist and delicious. I always suggest using natural cocoa powder, not Dutch-processed. Natural cocoa powder is more acidic, which reacts with the baking soda to give the cake a better rise and a deeper chocolate flavor. For the orange component, I recommend using Valencia or Navel oranges because they are sweet, juicy, and have a vibrant flavor that really shines through in baking. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even substitute the orange with another citrus fruit like mandarin or blood orange for a unique twist.

Ingredients for Your Chocolate Orange Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to bake this delightful cake:

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour (see notes to measure flour)
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural not dutch)
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup canola, vegetable oil or olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 3 tsp orange extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup orange juice (no added sugar, 100% juice)
• 1/2 cup water
• Optional Garnish: Candied oranges

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Chocolate Orange Cake

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a stunning Chocolate Orange Cake in no time!

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees.

1. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter, oil or pan spray. Line with parchment paper. Grease parchment paper. Parchment paper is critical to make sure your cake doesn’t stick. See parchment paper notes.

1. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. Set aside.

1. In large bowl, mix olive oil, eggs, orange extract, buttermilk, orange juice and water. Use hand beaters or whisk to combine.

1. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat until combined.

1. Divide batter and pour each half into your 9-inch round cake pan.

1. Bake 22-24 minutes until cooked through. You can test with a toothpick. If it comes out clean with no batter, the cake is done.

1. Place cake on cooling rack and allow to fully cool before removing from pan.

1. Once fully cooled, remove from pan and frost. See notes regarding frosting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Chocolate Orange Cake

Even the best bakers run into snags sometimes. Here’s how to troubleshoot common problems:

• Why your cake might be dry: Overbaking is the usual culprit. Be sure to check the cake with a toothpick at the 22-minute mark and adjust baking time accordingly.
• How to prevent a sunken cake: Avoid opening the oven door too early, as this can cause the cake to collapse. Also, ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh.
• How to prevent the cake from sticking to the pan: Parchment paper is your best friend here! Always line the bottom of the pan with parchment and grease it well.

To make the cake more moist, try adding a tablespoon of sour cream to the batter or brush the cooled cakes with a simple syrup made from orange juice and sugar.

Recipe Variations for Your Chocolate Orange Cake

Want to mix things up? Here are a few delicious variations to try:

Variation	Description
Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake	Substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water per egg) and use a plant-based milk instead of buttermilk.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Cake	Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Chocolate Orange Marble Cake	Swirl in orange curd into half of the batter before baking for a marbled effect.
Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake	Yes! Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly, then pour in the batter and bake for a little longer, checking for doneness with a toothpick.

How to Decorate Your Chocolate Orange Cake

Now for the fun part! Here are some ideas to make your cake a showstopper:

• Chocolate Ganache Drips: Drizzle a luscious chocolate ganache over the top for an elegant touch.
• Edible Flowers: Arrange delicate edible flowers for a whimsical and beautiful presentation.
• Stencils: Use stencils and powdered sugar to create intricate patterns on the cake’s surface.
• Christmas Decorations: During the holidays, decorate with sugared cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and mini gingerbread cookies.

And of course, you can always add candied orange slices for garnish. To make them, slice oranges thinly and simmer in a sugar syrup until translucent. Then, let them dry on a wire rack.

Storing Your Chocolate Orange Cake

Proper storage is key to keeping your cake fresh and delicious:

• Room Temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: For longer storage, keep the cake in the refrigerator for up to a week. This may make the cake slightly drier, so let it come to room temperature before serving.
• Freezer: You can freeze the cake for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

Equipment Recommendations

Here are some of my go-to tools for making this recipe:

• Cake Pans: I love using Wilton 9-inch round cake pans for even baking.
• Zester: A Microplane zester is perfect for getting finely grated orange zest.
• Mixer: My KitchenAid stand mixer makes quick work of the batter, but a handheld mixer works just as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions I get about this recipe:

• Can I use orange extract instead of fresh oranges? What is the ratio? Yes, you can! Use about 1 teaspoon of orange extract for every tablespoon of orange zest.
• Can I use different types of chocolate? (e.g., dark, milk, white) Absolutely! Experiment with different chocolates to find your favorite flavor combination.
• Can I make the batter ahead of time? I recommend baking the cake immediately after making the batter for the best results.
• Is it possible to make this recipe vegan or gluten-free? Yes, check out the recipe variations above for tips on how to make this cake vegan or gluten-free.
• What frosting do you recommend for this cake? A classic chocolate buttercream or a tangy cream cheese frosting are both excellent choices.
• Looking for other delicious desserts? Stay tuned for more recipes to try!

Conclusion

I hope you’re excited to try this Chocolate Orange Cake! It’s a simple, delicious, and truly special treat that I know your family will love. It’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Now, I’d love to hear from you! If you give this recipe a try, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. Did you make any fun variations? Share your results, and happy baking!