I decided to make this Dark Chocolate Orange Cake as my Easter Dessert. To tell the truth I have made this cake a few times, and every time I did it a little different.
I thought for Easter I would fancy it up a bit by frosting this Chocolate Orange Cake with a deliciously creamy Orange Cream Cheese Frosting.
The sad thing about being a food blogger or maybe not so sad thing is that you either eat something more than once or twice or you eat it 2 or 3 weeks before the actual holiday because you have to get it up on the blog.
This Chocolate Orange Cake became a personal project for me, I kept imagining it in so many different ways. It became “OK I am making this again but different, now tell me which one you like best”.
To tell the truth the Italian doesn’t mind much, he really enjoyed this cake, as did the Nutella Queen.
So yes I made this Chocolate Orange Cake three different ways, the first time I made it quite simple. I dusted the finished cooled cake the way Italians like it best, with a little powdered/icing sugar.
The second time we had friends for dinner so I drizzled the Cake with a delicious chocolate ganache. It went so fast there wasn’t even a crumb left to take a photo.
And this last time, since Easter is early this year I decided to bring the arrival of spring, the end of winter and the wonderful Easter holiday all together.
I liked the idea of a not-so-sweet-frosting, similar to the one I made for the Vanilla Cake with Mascarpone Cream Frosting but this time with Cream Cheese and a hint of orange. I needed something simple to decorate the cake with, since decorating is not my forte.
Dark Chocolate Orange Cake
So what could be simpler then Candied Orange Peels which I discovered from the Food Network? But that part of the cake I will leave up to you, even some grated dark chocolate would work well. So whatever you choose, I wish you a Happy Easter and Enjoy!
Dark Chocolate Orange Cake
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE
- 10 1/2 ounces dark chocolate (good quality brand) (300 grams)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 large egg yolk (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (170 grams)
- zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt (175 grams)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use corn or sunflower oil) (100 grams)
- 2 cups all purpose flour (240 grams)
- 3 teaspoons baking powder (15 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (2.5 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (2.8 grams)
FOR THE FROSTING
- 1 1/2 cups cream (heavy, whole or whipping) (360 grams)
- 6 ounces cream cheese (I used light cream cheese) (187.5 grams)
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon powdered/icing sugar (39.05 grams)
- zest from 1/2 orange (if desired)
CANDIED ORANGE PEELS
- Peel of 1 orange thinly sliced
- Peel of 1 lemon thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup sugar (150 grams)
- 1/4 cup water (60 grams)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 340° (170° celsius) lightly grease and flour 2 8 inch cake pans (20 centimeters).
FOR THE CAKE
- Melt chocolate in a bowl over a pot of boilng water (make sure bowl does not touch the water)when almost melted remove from heat and stir until smooth. Let cool.
- In a large bowl beat eggs, sugar and zest until light and fluffy (approximately 5 minutes). Add yogurt and combine then slowly drizzle in the oil and combine until smooth.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, then add to yogurt mixture and combine, then add melted cooled chocolate and combine. Spoon into prepared cake pans and bake for approximately 35-45 minutes (or until toothpick comes out dry and clean). Let cool completely before frosting.
FOR THE FROSTING
- In a large bowl whip cream until soft peaks appear, then add cream cheese, sugar and zest continue to beat until thick.
CANDIED ORANGE PEELS
- Place peel in a small pot of water, enough to cover the peels, bring to a boil, drain and repeat two more times.
- Mix together sugar and water in a small pot, simmer on medium heart for approximately 8 minutes, add the peel and lower heat to minimum and continue on a soft simmer for approximately 40 minutes, do not stir, swirl the pot a few times if necessary to combine. Drain the peels (reserve the syrup for future use), roll the peel in sugar and place on a wire rack to dry, approximately 1-2 hours (could be more depending on the temperature of your home). Frost cake and decorate. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Candied Peel thanks to the Food Network.
Kaizo says
New bakers. What does cream actually mean?
Rosemary says
Hi Kaizo, for the cream it should be whole, heavy or whipping cream, at least with 30% fat. Hope that helps.
Patty says
I don’t have a batter. Is it supposed to be a thick cake?
Rosemary says
Hi Patty, yes the batter is quite thick almost like brownie batter.
Patty says
Mine was thicker / I don’t know if I used the store bought white/wheat or unbleached,
It’s worth trying again though 🙂
Tasty frosting and a good excuse to eat orange slice candy 🙂
Rosemary says
Hi Patty, that is weird. Glad you liked it anyway though. 🙂
Ann says
Great idea for an Easter dessert. I love orange and chocolate together. I wish you and your family a Happy Easter.
Rosemary says
Hi Ann, thanks, I agree orange and chocolate are one of the best combinations. Happy Easter to you and your family also! 🙂