Easy Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe With Cake Mix

This post contains chapter links. Read the full disclosure here.

This is the BEST chocolate orange cake e'er. Information technology's moist, corrupt, and bursting with chocolate and natural orange flavor in the cake and in the chocolate orange buttercream. It's so easy to make besides!

Chocolate and orange are always a winning flavor combination to me. Chocolate orange cupcakes are 1 of my favorite desserts to make when I'm craving something decadent - then I've tweaked the recipe a piffling and adapted it for chocolate orange cakes!

This chocolate orangish cake is perfect for impressing your guests at the holidays, or enjoying year-round! I could literally sit downwards and eat this unabridged cake to myself with a fork. It'southward so rich and delicious and the buttercream frosting is just perfect!

Why you lot'll dear this Chocolate Orange Cake

• This cake is naturally flavored with existent oranges. It uses orange zest and orange juice, and so y'all don't need to run out and purchase any fancy ingredients (although that is an option - more on that in the ingredient notes beneath).
• This is a two layer block recipe that is fabricated using an viii inch block pan, merely you lot can easily arrive into a iii layer cake and employ unlike sized pans (I've provided instructions in the recipe card at the lesser of this mail service).
• The chocolate orange cakes utilize oil instead of butter, making the cake then low-cal and fluffy information technology almost melts in your mouth!
• This cake is perfect for the holiday flavor and Christmas, but since oranges are commonly bachelor all twelvemonth, yous don't have to wait for the holidays to make information technology!

Ingredient Notes

• Milk: you tin use regular milk or unsweetened dairy free milk. I personally like to use soy milk, but whatever milk will piece of work great!
• Orange zest: Yous'll need three ½ tablespoons of orangish zest, which is about two oranges. If your oranges are small and you don't have enough, y'all can also apply a little orange extract.
• Hot water: Many chocolate cake recipes use hot h2o because it helps deliquesce the cocoa powder, causing it to "bloom". Blooming helps bring out the chocolate flavor. No need to boil h2o, it but needs to exist hot.
• Orange juice: you can utilise shop-bought orange juice (no pulp), or the juice from the fresh oranges that were zested. Store bought juice is often made from concentrate, so the flavor is a chip stronger.
• Flour: I recommend all-purpose flour. In lodge to achieve a soft, fluffy cake, you lot MUST properly measure your flour!
• Vegetable oil: you lot can use whatever neutral oil in this recipe, like canola oil or sunflower oil.

• Cocoa pulverisation: I take the best results using unsweetened dutch-process cocoa pulverization, so that's what I recommend. If you merely have natural, that volition still work fine.
• Sugar: this recipe is made using granulated/white sugar. I don't recommend replacing this as it volition affect the texture of the block.
• Butter: you can use softened regular butter or dairy free butter for the buttercream.
• Vegetable shortening: I like to employ a little vegetable shortening because it helps the buttercream concur its shape well, just you lot can also substitute this for butter if you'd prefer.

Step By Step Instructions

Note: Total ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Step I: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare 2 viii inch circular cake pans. Spray the within of each pan with cooking spray, then cut round pieces of parchment paper out in the shape of the pans and place one into each pan. Set the pans aside.

Step Two: To make the orangish chocolate cakes, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, blistering pulverization, and cocoa powder in a big mixing bowl. Add in the eggs, vanilla excerpt, orangish zest, milk, orange juice, and oil and mix until combined. Lastly, add together in the hot water and whisk until smooth.

Step Three: Divide the block batter between the two cake pans and bake for 20-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out make clean. Permit the cakes cool in the pans so remove them from the pans upside downward onto a cooling rack.

Pace Four: While the chocolate orangish cakes cool, brand the buttercream. Combine the butter and shortening together in a large bowl using a handheld mixer or standing mixer. Mix in the orange zest. Add in the cocoa pulverization, vanilla excerpt, powdered saccharide, and salt. Add together milk to thin out the buttercream if needed. Store the buttercream in the fridge until the cakes have cooled completely and it's time to assemble the cakes!

How to Assemble the Cake

Flipping the cakes upside downwardly and letting it cool that manner on the cooling rack helps to flatten out the top of the cake, because nosotros don't want to try to stack domed cake layers. If information technology still looks rounded on pinnacle, flatten the meridian of each cake layer. To practice this, remove the cakes from the pan and use a serrated knife to level them out.

Next, identify the thickest cake layer onto your block plate, cake stand, or cake board. Add together a big scoop of buttercream onto the block and spread it around, but exit about an inch of unfrosted cake effectually the edges.

Add the second layer of block on top, and so freeze the cake for about 15 minutes. I like to practice a crumb coat on this cake, which basically helps you get a smoother frosting, merely it's optional. Afterward 15 minutes, remove the block from the freezer and use an offset spatula to frost the cake with a pocket-size corporeality of frosting. Smooth information technology out using a bench scraper, scraping the crumb filled frosting into a separate basin then that the crumbs don't mix into the rest of the frosting. Don't worry about making it pretty, this layer will be covered.

Freeze the block again for fifteen minutes, and then add the remaining frosting to the cake and smoothen it out, then decorate!

If y'all want to larn more nearly how to decorate a cake, this is a great tutorial.

Decorating the Cake

There are and so many fun means to decorate this cake! You can make an easy chocolate ganache by melting chocolate chip and coconut milk (or regular milk) over the stove and and then drizzling it over the buttercream, or you lot can use whatever of the ideas below!

• Sprinkle extra orange zest over the frosted cake.
• Piping buttercream along the height and bottom edges of the cake.
• Decorate the frosted cake with a few orange peel twists, similar I did! Hither is a simple tutorial for how to make them!
• Terry's chocolate orange slices would look lovely on this cake (notation that if you are making this block dairy free, practise not use Terry's chocolate oranges, every bit they are not dairy free)
• Decorate the block with a few sliced candied oranges

Cake Pan Size Adjustments

Y'all can make this chocolate orangish cake in a diversity of different pan sizes! Here are a few helpful adjustments:

ix Inch Circular Cake Pans: The cake layers volition exist slightly thinner and will broil quicker. Start checking on them subsequently around 16 minutes in the oven.

9x13 Rectangular Pan: To make this into a sheet cake, use a 9x13 pan and bake for around xx minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out make clean. You lot volition just need around half of the amount of buttercream since there aren't any layers.

iii Layer Cake: Whenever I want to catechumen a two layer cake into a three layer cake, I find information technology easiest to just divide the concoction betwixt three block pans. You will have thinner block layers using this method, since the cake batter is divided betwixt 3 pans. Alternatively, yous can besides multiply the ingredients in the recipe by 1.five.

Exercise chocolate and orange go together?

Um YES!!!! The combination of the 2 flavors is truly divine. It feels sophisticated and decadent even so and so simple!

How exercise I zest an orangish?

You can zest an orangish using a microplane zester, a box grater, or fifty-fifty a vegetable peeler. Be certain to avoid the white parts under the orange peel, as they can be bitter. Here is a helpful tutorial on how to zest citrus fruits.

How many oranges do I need for this cake?

Two large oranges provided plenty orange zest for me, but if the oranges you have are smaller, you may need to use more.

What kind of oranges should I use?

I like to use umbilicus oranges, since I detect they have the best and strongest season, just any kind of orangish works fine. You can even employ standard mandarin oranges!

Can I make this into a Vegan Chocolate Orangish Cake?

If you have an allergy to eggs or follow a vegan diet, use the recipe for this vegan chocolate block for a similar recipe! You can double the recipe, add together in the orange zest into the batter, and separate the batter between ii 8 inch cake pans. Then make the chocolate orange buttercream with vegan ingredients.

Can I make this cake every bit cupcakes?

I already have a chocolate orange cupcake recipe that this recipe is based off of, so you tin can cheque that out here!

I ran out of orange zest, what do I do?

If you run out of oranges or don't have plenty zest, you lot tin can add in some orangish extract to supervene upon the flavor.

Can I make this cake ahead of fourth dimension?

Yep! The buttercream will be fine tightly covered in the fridge for a few days. You can re-whip it using a mixer or give it a stir earlier frosting the block. I recommend waiting until the 24-hour interval you are going to serve the cake to assemble and frost it.

The block layers tin can be made and kept wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days ahead of time as well, but the cake will exist fluffier and moister closer to when you broil information technology. See freezing instructions below for how to shop the block layers in the freezer.

Expert Tips

• Don't skip the parchment paper lining at the bottom of the pan! I never used to do this and my cakes would always crumble underneath or be super difficult to remove. If you aren't doing this with every cake you make, information technology will change your life! Line the lesser of the pan and then lightly grease the insides of the pan with cooking spray.
• Measure your flour properly, delight! I highly recommend a kitchen scale. They price less than $15 and will make a HUGE difference. If yous don't have 1, you lot can use the fluff, scoop, and level method, but do not scoop the flour straight out of the bag with a measuring cup. This goes for cocoa powder too.
• Add extra orangish zest or orangish extract to the buttercream for more orange flavor: for me, the amount of orangish season is perfect in this recipe, but you can admittedly taste it then add more orange zest or ⅛ teaspoon of orange extract to it.
• Don't over-mix the cake concoction! Mix the cake batter only until it is just combined!
• Adjust buttercream recipe as needed: If the buttercream seems too thin, add a little more powdered sugar, around ¼ cup at a time. If it seems too thick, add in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
• Let the cakes cool completely before you try to take them out of the pan then that they don't autumn apart! The easiest style to do this is to run a butter pocketknife around the exterior of the cake so flip information technology over onto the cooling rack.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

The cake tin can be stored covered at room temperature for iii-4 days. I store mine in a cake carrier.

To freeze the block layers (once they've completely cooled), then tightly wrap each individual layer in plastic wrap, then echo with aluminium foil. Put the cakes into a large ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months, then permit them thaw at room temperature.

Y'all can too freeze the leftover cake slices individually in the same way that y'all would freeze the cake layers!

Whatsoever leftover buttercream can exist stored in an closed container in the freezer for up to two months, and so thawed in the fridge when gear up to use. Once it has thawed, you lot can utilize a handheld or standing mixer to re-whip it back to its fluffy consistency.

More Cake Recipes You'll Beloved

• Biscoff Cake

• Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

• Vegan Oreo Cake

• Dairy Free Chocolate Cake

If you make this recipe, permit me know how it went in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook then I tin can cheque it out!

Chocolate Orange Cake

This chocolate orangish cake is moist, decadent, and bursting with chocolate and natural orangish flavor in the cake and in the chocolate orange buttercream. Piece of cake to brand too!

Prep Time 25 mins

Broil 22 mins

Total Time 47 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings xvi slices

Calories 383 kcal

• ▢
• ▢
• ▢

Chocolate Orange Cake

• ▢ 1½ cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1½ teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ ½ teaspoon blistering powder
• ▢ ¾ cup unsweetened Dutch candy cocoa powder
• ▢ ½ cup canola oil (or other neutral oil)
• ▢ 1¼ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ii tablespoon orange zest
• ▢ ane teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ ¼ cup orange juice
• ▢ ½ cup milk (regular or dairy complimentary)
• ▢ ¾ cup hot water

Chocolate Orange Buttercream

• ▢ ¾ cup butter, softened (regular or vegan)
• ▢ ¼ cup + 2 tbsp vegetable shortening (or butter if non dairy gratuitous, SEE NOTES)
• ▢ 1½ tablespoon orangish zest
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ¾ loving cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 2½-2¾ loving cup powdered carbohydrate (icing sugar/confectioner's sugar) SEE NOTES
• ▢ ½-1½ tbsp milk, if needed (regular or dairy free)

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare two eight inch round cake pans. Spray the inside with cooking spray, then cut round pieces of parchment paper so that they fit in the bottom of each pan (do not skip the parchment paper lining!)

• Whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda together in a large bowl.

• Add in the eggs, vanilla, oil, orange zest, orange juice, and milk. Pour in the hot water and mix until smooth.

• Split the batter evenly between the ii block pans and bake on the eye rack of the oven for 20-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cakes comes out clean.

• Let the cakes cool in the pans, then run a butter knife around the outside of the cake to loosen it from the pan and flip upside down onto a cooling rack.

• Make the buttercream. In the bowl of a standing mixer or handheld mixer, vanquish butter and shortening together until combined. Skip if using all butter. Shell in the cocoa powder until smoothen.

• Add together in the orangish zest, then add together the icing sugar, ¼ cup at a time until desired consistency is reached. If the buttercream is too thick, add in milk 1 tablespoon at a time to thin information technology out to the consistency yous want. If information technology'southward besides thin, add together in more confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar) ¼ cup at a time.

• In one case the cakes have cooled completely, frost them and enjoy!

Delight NOTE: I highly recommend using a kitchen scale to weigh your dry ingredients. Metric measurements are found above under the "Metric" tab.

MEASURING FLOUR: Properly measure your flour and cocoa powder using either a kitchen scale or using the scoop and level method.

POWDERED Sugar: When making the buttercream, start with 2 ½ cups of powdered sugar. After adding in the cocoa powder, add in more than powdered carbohydrate if the buttercream is too sparse.

MILK: For the buttercream, yous can add in ½ tablespoon or more if it seems too thick.  Add together the milk a little at a time until you've reached your desired consistency.

ORANGE Excerpt: If you don't have enough oranges for the amount of zest required, or if you want a actually potent orange flavor, add ¼ - ½ teaspoon of orange zest into the cupcakes.

VEGETABLE SHORTENING: Vegetable shortening can be replaced at 1:1 ratio with more than butter. Note that if you are using a soft dairy free butter, the shortening helps go on information technology firmer.

Cake Pan Adjustments:

9 Inch Round Cake Pans: Cake layers will be slightly thinner and broil quicker. Start checking on them after around 16 minutes in the oven.

9x13 Rectangular Pan: Bake for around 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Yous volition only need around half of the amount of buttercream since there aren't any layers.

three Layer Cake: Whenever I want to convert a 2 layer cake into a 3 layer cake, I find it easiest to just divide the concoction between iii cake pans. Yous volition have thinner cake layers using this method, since the block concoction is divided betwixt three pans. Alternatively, you can too multiply the ingredients in the recipe past 1.5.

Storage and Freezing Instructions:

The cake tin can exist stored covered at room temperature for three-four days (I use a block carrier)

To freeze the cake layers: Once completely cooled, tightly wrap each private layer in plastic wrap, and then wrap with aluminium foil. Put the cakes into a big ziploc purse for up to 3 months, and then thaw at room temperature.

To freeze individual cake slices: Same method as in a higher place.

To freeze buttercream: Leftover buttercream tin can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge when fix to use. Once thawed, y'all tin can apply a handheld or continuing mixer to re-whip information technology back to its fluffy consistency.

Sodium: 271 mg Calcium: 33 mg Vitamin C: 3 mg Vitamin A: 457 IU Sugar: 35 grand Cobweb: three g Potassium: 166 mg Cholesterol: 21 mg Calories: 383 kcal Trans Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: ten one thousand Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g Saturated Fat: v chiliad Fat: 21 g Protein: 4 one thousand Carbohydrates: 49 g Fe: two mg

Let united states know how information technology was!

The calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.

walkerwousidersing.blogspot.com

Source: https://thecookiedoughdiaries.com/chocolate-orange-cake/

Share this post