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    Home » Sweets » Cakes

    Chocolate Orange Cake

    July 9, 2021 by Chenée Lewis

    371 shares
    Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe - Easy Layer Cake with Rich Chocolate and Citrus Flavor! | Chenée Today

    Moist chocolate orange cake recipe with an easy chocolate orange cake frosting! If you love Terry's Chocolate Orange, this dark chocolate orange cake is for you! And for more rich chocolate goodness, try my Mini Chocolate Cake, my Chocolate Walnut Brownies, and my Keto Chocolate Mousse for Two!

    slice of dark chocolate orange cake being cut with a fork, with an orange and orange zest as garnish
    Easy Chocolate Orange Cake
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    *This post contains affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure for details*.

    The Best Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

    It's no secret that I love the combination of chocolate and orange! Whether it's in my chocolate orange shortbread cookies, my no-bake cannoli pie, my orange chocolate chip mini muffins, I'm always looking for an excuse to combine these flavors! So it was just a matter of time until I made this moist chocolate orange cake recipe! And I'm so glad I did! This chocolate layer cake with orange is everything I love in a chocolate cake -- a moist, tender crumb with fudgy chocolate flavor and a light, fluffy chocolate frosting, PLUS tons of amazing orange flavor to balance out the chocolate flavor so well!

    Do chocolate and orange go together?

    YES! They are the best flavor combination! If you've ever had a Terry's Chocolate Orange, you know what I mean! The creamy richness of chocolate is brightened up perfectly by the tart citrus flavor of orange, and they create a whole new flavor that is showcased so well in this cake!

    Can I add orange zest to a chocolate cake?

    Yes! We're making this easy chocolate orange cake with orange zest AND orange juice to give it a bright, juicy orange flavor in addition to a deep chocolate flavor. And on top of that, we're making a fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting with even more zest and juice. The frosting pairs so perfectly with the cake layers! I made this cake for my mom's birthday this year and it was a BIG hit with everyone! Best of all, it's as simple to make as any other chocolate cake! Just add some orange zest and juice! If you're a fan of (or just curious about) the combination of chocolate and orange, this might be your new favorite chocolate cake recipe!

    frosted chocolate orange cake decorated with dehydrated orange slices

    What makes cake moist and soft?

    First, buttermilk goes a long way in helping with the softness of a cake. The acid in buttermilk breaks down gluten, which helps the cake to be more tender. Also, the vegetable oil we're using in this cake is liquid at room temperature, so your cake will be moist whenever you want to eat it! Also, oil contains no water, unlike butter, so none of it will evaporate and dry your cake out. Those two key ingredients make this the most moist chocolate orange cake recipe ever! Let's check out the rest of what you'll need!

    chocolate orange cake ingredients seen from above

    Easy Chocolate Orange Cake Ingredients

    • orange zest and fresh orange juice - this is where our bold orange flavor comes in! I like to use a microplane zester to get the zest (the top layer of the rind) before juicing your fresh oranges.
    • granulated sugar - pressing the sugar and zest together in our first step brings out even more of that orange flavor in this orange chocolate cake!
    • all-purpose flour - be sure you are measuring your flour correctly, or do what I do and use a kitchen scale.
    • unsweetened cocoa powder - this is what gives the cake that rich chocolatey flavor. Cocoa powder is another ingredient that, like flour, is best measured by weight using a kitchen scale.
    • espresso powder - a touch of espresso powder adds a depth to the chocolate flavor that makes this cake even more delicious!
    • baking powder and baking soda - these leaveners give our dark chocolate orange cake a nice light texture.
    • salt - brings out all these amazing flavors!
    • vegetable oil - I typically use canola oil, but you can use any light-flavored oil for this recipe.
    • eggs - your eggs should be room temperature to make sure your cake mixes up nice and light.
    • buttermilk - your buttermilk should also be room temperature to ensure the right texture for your cake. I like to use full-fat buttermilk, but if that's not available, low-fat buttermilk works too. See below for a tip for a buttermilk substitute if you don't have buttermilk!
    • pure vanilla extract - I recommend using a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Or better yet, check out my post on how to make vanilla extract at home with just 2 ingredients!

    Then, for the the best chocolate orange cake frosting, you'll need:

    • salted butter - your butter should be room temperature. See below for a tip to get it to room temperature quickly! Also, if you prefer to use unsalted, just add in a few pinches of salt to your frosting to taste.
    • powdered sugar - measure your powdered sugar by weight using a kitchen scale for the best accuracy, or use the spoon-and-level method.
    • unsweetened cocoa powder - this will add even more delicious chocolate flavor to the frosting!
    • pure vanilla extract - I like the way a bit of vanilla rounds out the flavors in this frosting.
    • orange zest and juice - more of that delicious orange flavor!
    moist chocolate orange cake on a plate with a fork and another slice of cake in the background

    Equipment

    You won't need an electric mixer for the cake batter, but I do recommend using a stand mixer or hand mixer to whip up your creamy chocolate orange frosting. Other than that, you'll need two 8-inch cake pans, parchment paper, and your zester, and you're ready to bake! I also like to use a wire rack to cool the cake layers. I use an offset spatula and a bench scraper to spread frosting on the sides and top of the cake.

    Tips and F.A.Q.

    What if I don't have buttermilk?

    If you don’t have buttermilk, feel free to use whole milk, replacing a tablespoon of the milk with vinegar. This will create the acidic effect of buttermilk to help your cake come out even more moist and tender.

    How do I get my ingredients to room temperature quickly?

    For eggs, just submerge them in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. 
    For buttermilk, just place it in a microwave-safe mug and heat for 5 seconds at a time, stirring in between. Keep going until your buttermilk is room temperature.
    And for butter, heat your three sticks of butter, wrapped, on a microwave-safe plate for 25 seconds, rotating each every 4 seconds.

    How many calories are in a chocolate orange cake?

    The exact calorie count for this chocolate orange cake recipe will depend on the amount of frosting you use -- the frosting recipe I've included will yield extra frosting (for decorations if needed). But my estimation is that one slice is about 651 calories. You can see the recipe card below for the full nutrition information, and view my nutrition disclaimer for more details on how I calculate nutrition facts.

    Can I use orange extract instead of orange juice and zest?

    You can, yes! I like to make this cake with orange zest for a bright, fresh orange flavor, but in a pinch orange extract is a great option! Just replace the orange zest in this recipe with 1½ tablespoon of orange extract, and make the rest of your cake as usual!

    How do you make chocolate orange buttercream?

    The buttercream frosting for this chocolate orange cake is SO easy. You'll only need a few steps and it's ready! First, you'll cream together your butter, cocoa powder, and orange zest. Then just gradually mix in your powdered sugar. Finally, mix in your orange juice and your frosting is ready to be added to your cake!

    Can I use orange juice instead of water in cake mix?

    Yes, you can! According to Duncan Hines, you can use fresh juice as a substitute for water in cake mix. So if you'd like to make a quicker version of this cake with boxed cake mix, that's a great idea!

    dark chocolate orange cake with a piece cut out of it
    Terry's chocolate orange cake

    If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!

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    slice of dark chocolate orange cake being cut with a fork, with an orange and orange zest as garnish

    Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

    Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Moist chocolate orange cake recipe with an easy chocolate orange cake frosting! If you love Terry's Chocolate Orange, this dark chocolate orange cake is for you!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine :American, British
    Servings: 12 slices
    Calories: 651kcal
    Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

    Equipment you may need

    • stand mixer
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • mixing bowls
    • whisk
    • parchment paper
    • rubber spatula
    • hand mixer
    • food scale
    • cooling rack
    • microplane grater/zester
    • offset spatula

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoon (18 g) orange zest - packed
    • 1 ¾ cup (350 g) granulated sugar
    • 2 cup (250 g) all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon (1 g) espresso powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoon (6 g) baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon (2 g) baking soda
    • ¾ teaspoon (5 g) salt
    • ⅔ cup (158 ml) vegetable oil
    • 2 large eggs - room temperature
    • 1 cup (237 ml) full-fat buttermilk - room temperature
    • 2 teaspoon (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup (237 ml) orange juice - freshly squeezed

    Chocolate Orange Buttercream Frosting

    • 1½ cup (341 g) salted butter - room temperature (3 sticks)
    • 5¼ cups (604 g) powdered sugar
    • ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoon (12 g) orange zest
    • 3 tablespoon (51 g) freshly squeezed orange juice - plus extra as needed

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, zest, flour, baking powder, baking soda, espresso powder, cocoa powder and salt. Press with a rubber spatula for 1 minute to release lemon oils.
      3 tablespoon orange zest, 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar, 2 cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon espresso powder
    • Stir in vegetable oil until dry ingredients are well coated, followed by eggs and vanilla.
      ⅔ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • Stir in buttermilk until well combined. Batter should be thick.
      1 cup full-fat buttermilk
    • Heat orange juice in microwave for 45 seconds on high, or until hot. Immediately stir into batter and whisk until just smooth.
      1 cup orange juice
    • Add batter evenly to prepared cake pans and bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick entered into the center of the cakes comes out smooth.
    • Cool cake layers slightly in cake pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before adding frosting.

    Chocolate Orange Buttercream Frosting

    • Cream together butter, zest, and cocoa powder in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Add vanilla and mix to combine.
      1½ cup salted butter, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • Gradually mix in powdered sugar and mix until thick and fluffy. Add orange juice and mix well. Spread over cooled cake.
      5¼ cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice

    Video

    Notes

    Salted butter: Feel free to use unsalted butter in the frosting -- just add a few pinches of salt to taste.
    Orange Extract:  I like to make this cake with orange zest for a bright, fresh orange flavor, but in a pinch orange extract is a great substitute! Just replace the orange zest in this recipe with 1½ tablespoon of orange extract, and make the rest of your cake as usual!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 651 kcal | Carbohydrates: 96 g | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 31 g | Saturated Fat: 21 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 74 mg | Sodium: 416 mg | Potassium: 290 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 72 g | Vitamin A: 613 IU | Vitamin C: 17 mg | Calcium: 87 mg | Iron: 3 mg
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Tags: cake recipes with oranges, choc orange cake, chocolate and orange cake, chocolate cake orange, chocolate cake with orange, chocolate orange cake, chocolate orange cake recipe, chocolate orange cake recipes, chocolate orange cakes, chocolate orange cakes recipes, dark chocolate orange cake, orange and chocolate, orange and chocolate cake, orange cake chocolate, orange chocolate cake, orange chocolate cake recipe, orange chocolate cakes, recipe chocolate orange cake, recipe for chocolate orange cake, recipe for orange chocolate cake
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!

    PIN this chocolate orange cake recipe for later!

    Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe - Easy Layer Cake with Rich Chocolate and Citrus Flavor! | Chenée Today
    And follow me on Pinterest for more recipes like this Chocolate Orange Cake!

    Last Updated on October 14, 2022 by Chenée Lewis

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    371 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Jen Sim

      August 11, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      Chocolate and orange is one of my favourite flavour combinations of all time. This cake was a hit and I know I’ll be making it again!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 12, 2021 at 12:10 am

        I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Shanna Jones

      August 11, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      Chocolate and orange go so well together, and you proved that with this cake. So moist, and I loved the chocolate orange buttercream frosting --- I swear I licked the plate!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 24, 2021 at 8:53 pm

        Haha I do that all the time with this cake! Thanks!!

        Reply
    3. Jazz

      August 11, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      The orange and chocolate combination was just wonderful for a small dinner party this weekend and everybody loved it!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 24, 2021 at 8:52 pm

        That's awesome! I find that this is a great cake for a special occasion!

        Reply
    4. Tamara

      August 11, 2021 at 7:54 am

      5 stars
      The Orange with the chocolate was out of this world! It offered such a unique flavor that I didn’t even realize I was missing! My husband said this is one of the best cakes I’ve ever made! So thank you 😊

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 24, 2021 at 8:49 pm

        It's one of my favorites for sure! Glad you both enjoyed it!

        Reply
      • Ying Sai Hong

        December 04, 2021 at 9:19 am

        Thanks for the recipe....is it supposed to be so rich and dense? The flavours are definitely there....

        Reply
        • Chenée Lewis

          December 05, 2021 at 4:20 pm

          It shouldn't be too dense with the listed amount of eggs and buttermilk, but if you prefer a lighter cake, you can reduce the oil and use low-fat buttermilk!

    5. Lilly

      August 10, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      I love the combination of chocolate and orange together! This cake was so fluffy and decadent! I will definitely be making this again!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 05, 2021 at 1:58 pm

        Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    6. Britney Brown

      August 09, 2021 at 10:17 am

      5 stars
      I love chocolate and orange together. Such a beautiful balance of flavors! The cake had such a beautiful crumb too. I had this with some ice cream and it was truly amazing!!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 10, 2021 at 12:06 pm

        Oh yeah this cake would be amazing with a scoop of ice cream!

        Reply
    7. Robin

      August 08, 2021 at 11:32 pm

      5 stars
      I couldn't get enough of this moist, scrumptious cake! Thanks for creating my new go-to, chocolate cake recipe.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 10, 2021 at 12:06 pm

        Thank you! It's my go-to as well!

        Reply
    8. Crystal

      August 08, 2021 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for my fam and they loved it!!!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 10, 2021 at 12:06 pm

        So glad to hear! Thanks!

        Reply
    9. Alex

      August 07, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      I think your photo is supposed to say orange and not lemon zest. 😉 And this looks crazy good! So unbelievably moist and flavorful.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 05, 2021 at 1:58 pm

        You're right! Thanks for letting me know I'll fix it asap!

        Reply
    10. Erin

      August 07, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      I love that thick layer of frosting! And chocolate + orange is such an amazing combination. I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 10, 2021 at 1:04 pm

        It's my favorite combination!

        Reply
    11. Amy B.

      August 07, 2021 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      The flavor of this cake was amazing, and so moist too! The video was really helpful. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 08, 2021 at 9:12 am

        Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    12. Aditi Bahl

      August 07, 2021 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      i recently tried this recipe and it came out just delicious. Thanks for the share.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 07, 2021 at 7:47 am

        I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    13. Tammy

      August 06, 2021 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh this cake looks so light and decadent! What a moist and delicious dessert...the frosting looks so airy and perfect too! Love the combo of chocolate and orange. This is swoon worthy!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 07, 2021 at 7:49 am

        Thank you!! It really is so good!!

        Reply
    14. Anaiah

      August 06, 2021 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      This chocolate cake was absolutely PERFECT! I loved everything about it and the orange was such an amazing touch. Definitely making this again for my son's birthday which is coming up!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 07, 2021 at 7:48 am

        Thank you so much! Happy birthday to him!

        Reply
    15. Marta

      August 05, 2021 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      Pairing chocolate and orange may seem off to some, but it is dreamy. Your cake is moist & full of that wonderful flavor.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 07, 2021 at 7:48 am

        Definitely an underrated flavor combination!!

        Reply
    16. Ramona

      August 05, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      5 stars
      Omg, this chocolate orange cake looks super delicious! my kids love anything to do with chocolate orange, and this cake would be perfect. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to make this!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 08, 2021 at 9:13 am

        Thanks! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    17. Aya

      August 05, 2021 at 2:17 am

      5 stars
      I made this cake for my mum because she loves chocolate with oranges. The cake turned out great, and she loved it! The use of fresh orange juice and zest makes the orange flavor pop. The frosting was smooth and delicious; I had to resist eating it by itself.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 08, 2021 at 9:18 am

        Yay! I'm so glad your mom liked it!

        Reply
    18. Maren

      August 03, 2021 at 6:37 am

      5 stars
      I made this recipe recently and it was delicious! A huge crowd pleaser for my friend’s birthday!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 03, 2021 at 6:42 am

        How nice! I'm glad it was a hit!

        Reply
    19. Shobee

      August 02, 2021 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      What a great and delicious combination. The cake must not taste too sweet as it's been neutralized bu the citrus.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 02, 2021 at 11:24 pm

        Absolutely! They're a great combination!

        Reply

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    About Chenée

    I’m Chenée (kinda rhymes with “today”) and I love all types of baking! But my favorite recipes are ones that are quick and easy, and still yield impressive results. The ones you can't help but make again and again! That's what I share here, and I hope I can make your baking life a little easier along the way. MORE ABOUT CHENÉE >>

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