Finding a really good chocolate cake is a precious thing. And not always so easy, which is why I was THRILLED that this made up (by yours truly!) chocolate orange cake recipe turned out just as yummy as I’d hoped.
I don’t wish to sound like a prima donna (as poor Mr. Scrummy was recently accused of being after he wrote an email to a B&B to check they served real coffee!), but I’m often disappointed by layer cakes I order in cafes. They always look delicious, but rarely are. They might be dry, or lacking in taste, or too sweet, or all of these things – just not half as good as I hope them to be.
So making a simple layer cake that’s good (really good) has been on my ‘blog bucket list’ for quite a while. To be honest layer cakes are not really ‘my thing’ so I knew this would be a bit of a challenge. My only other attempt was this white chocolate, coconut and lime truffle cake – absolutely delicious, although I say it myself, but not exactly a winner in the looks department!
You may have already noticed that most of the sweet things around here are chocolate things, so no surprises that I chose to make a simple chocolate layer cake first. What might be surprising to you, though, is that I made up my own recipe. I really did. Of course I did plenty of research to try to get the proportions right, but this recipe is truly mine. I was pretty astounded when it turned out really well on my first attempt!
Cakey, moist and fudgy… mmm!
What I was aiming for was a proper light spongy cake, not a brownie cake, or soufflé, or chocolate torte, or anything else. But at the same time I wanted it to be nice and moist, a bit fudgy even. And honestly, that’s exactly what I ended up with. I just couldn’t believe it.
I’m not sure what the secret was. The milk I added, perhaps, or the bit of melted chocolate as well as cocoa? The salted butter, the spoonful of instant coffee to intensify the chocolate-y taste, or reducing the amount of sugar a bit to give it a richer, darker taste? Or maybe the rich, creamy chocolate orange ganache that sinks into the two layers of the cake a bit and makes it just a little bit gooey in the middle? I really don’t know, but somehow I hit the nail on the head.
Don’t overbake it!
I hope I’ve managed to sell this chocolate cake to you already. Just try really hard not to overcook it, because it would be a dreadful shame to see it dry out and lose the moist fudgy-ness I love about it. This is definitely going on my regular cake rotation – not that I have one, but you know, starting from today … 😉
Chocolate orange cake (really good, really simple)
Ingredients
For the cake layers
- 1.75 ounces cocoa
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee
- 10.5 tablespoons butter (salted) softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1.75 ounces chocolate melted
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the orange ganache
- 7 ounces chocolate
- 3/4 cups heavy cream / double cream (UK / Australia)
- 1 orange (zest only)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 180C/355F (170C/340F fan oven) and line the bottom of two 8-inch loose-bottomed cake tins with a circle of baking paper. Grease the pans lightly with butter, then set aside.
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In a large bowl, blend the cocoa and coffee with enough hot water to make a smooth paste.
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Add the butter and sugar to the bowl and cream together well with a hand-held electric mixer.
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Add the eggs, milk and melted chocolate and mix again until smooth.
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Fold in the flour and baking powder, then divide the mixture between the two cake pans. Bake for about twenty-five minutes or until the cakes are risen and pulling away from the sides of the pans. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
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Meanwhile, to make the ganache, melt the chocolate, then stir in the warmed cream, and then the orange zest*. Let cool in the fridge until a nice spreading consistency. Use half of the ganache to sandwich the two cakes together, then spread the rest over the top.
Recipe Notes
*I usually melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second bursts. If you don’t have a microwave, just melt it in a bowl over a pan of boiling water (but don’t let the bowl touch the water).
You can warm the cream separately. Or just add it to the melted chocolate cold like I did, then pop the bowl in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. When it comes out, stir well to blend.
Please note that when I first created this recipe I was working in metric (UK) measurements, which is why some of the US measurements might look a bit random! The recipe still works fine, of course!
mira says
This cake looks gorgeous Helen! Love the spongy texture! Chocolate and orange is one of my favorite combinations.Will definitely try the recipe, love how it turned out!
Helen says
Thank you, Mira … I really hope you do try this!
Anna says
Hello! I’m making this cake and I wanted to know what type of chocolate I should use? Did you use Baker’s Chocolate or ? Thanks for any help! I can’t wait to try this cake!
Helen says
Hi Anna! Any good quality chocolate of your choice is fine. I haven’t tried it with Baker’s chocolate, but that would probably be fine too. Good luck!
Samina @ The Cupcake Confession says
I am absolutely in love with this cake Helen! Chocolate and orange is the best flavor combination ever and I love how it’s light and spongy and yet slightly fudgy! Just the perfect texture! And I so agree with you on the cafe layer cakes! they somehow just don’t cut it for me too!
Helen says
Thanks, Samina chocolate orange is my fave, but I’d never tried it in a cake until now. It was every bit as good as I hoped!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
That is one delicious looking cake! I am also usually disappointed with cakes in cafes, which is why if I am craving some cake, I will make some myself, then I can only be disappointed with myself haha.
Helen says
Great point … and totally agree 😉
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
I am with you about cakes in cafe’, I have a hard time finding one that is just plain flavorful and tasty instead of like you say, too sweet or too dry – I’d much rather have homemade cakes – that’s where the YUMM happens 🙂
Helen, this is a gorgeous cake – it looks so light, I love the coffee in it and I love the hint of orange in the ganache!
Helen says
Thank you, Shashi! Really happy you think this is a YUMM cake! 🙂
marcie says
I’m kind of a cake snob. I mean, if I order a slice of cake and it’s not good, it’s not worth the calories, right? I totally hear you, and I love the looks of this cake! The chocolate-orange combination is delicious, and this looks so moist. The fact that it’s simple makes it irresistible!
Helen says
Ha … cake snob. I love it! And if you’re one, then I’m definitely one too. I agree that only good cakes are worth the calories, and glad you think this fits into that category!
[email protected] says
My favorite cake is chocolate and I love the addition of orange. Cake perfection.
Helen says
Thanks Janette … glad you approve!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
You are not a prima donna I totally agree. The cake will look fantastic and when you taste it it’s stale and dry. Super disappointing. Your cake sounds anything but! I could go for a big slice of this right now!
Helen says
Thank you, Kelley! I’m particularly happy you don’t think I’m a prima donna 😉
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Sold! Nail on the head, indeed! This cake looks so wonderfully moist, rich, and just perfect! There are so many aspects I love about this dish – the chocolate, coffee, orange, salted butter, it all just sounds so wonderful, Helen!
Helen says
Thank you so much, Kathleen. I must admit I felt pretty proud of myself (and a bit shocked!) when this worked exactly as I’d hoped first time. 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This cake is stunning, Helen! Chocolate orange cakes are my favourite, always reminds me of Christmas! Love how simple this is to make! Looks great! 🙂
Helen says
Thank you so much, Jess! I thought you might like this. You are one of my cake gurus, so it means a lot to get compliments from you on my cake!
cheri says
Hi Helen, your chocolate orange cake is quite the showstopper, love the way it looks, now I want this for breakfast.
Helen says
Oooh, thank you Cheri! If I lived close to you I would pop over with a piece of this for your brekky! Have a lovely day!
[email protected] says
Now listen missy. Mr Scrummy is of sane mind to have sent that email off to the B&B, if you ask me! I DO THAT!!! 😉
I totally agree with you about most cakes being too dry, sweet, crumbly – or the worst is when chocolate cake does not TASTE of chocolate cake. 🙂
Your 6 ingredient chocolate cake is one of my go to quick bakes, no fail every time. So it goes without saying that this makes my list too 🙂 Sharing!
Helen says
Phew … glad it’s not just us that wants to make sure our B&B experiences are perfect. He really did get called a prima donna by the B&B owner. Needless to say, we stayed somewhere else!)
Really happy you like the cake and hope it does get added to the dinner party dessert rotation. I really did enjoy this cake, so I hope you like it! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
This looks fantastic Helen. And I can’t believe they called him a prima donna for asking about coffee. I guess that sort of indicates the answer no? 🙂
Helen says
Thanks, Lorraine! Needless to say, we didn’t stay there!!
Eva says
Totalement d’accord avec toi Helen! La plus part de fois ces types des gâteaux ne sont pas bon, la plus part de fois sont trop sucrés! J’en suis persuadée que le tienne est très bien et j’adore l’idée de mettre des zestes d’orange, l’association est parfaite! Ce gâteau mérite bien un tasse de café, du vrai!
Helen says
Merci beaucoup, Eva! Je suis totalement d’accord que le gateau merite un tres grand tasse de cafe! 🙂
mila furman says
Ha!!!! I am a primadonna too 🙂 Cakes always look so good and then they are just…blah. Yucky. No bueno. This looks so simple yet delightfully good!!!! I love the combo of orange and chocolate…it makes me happy 🙂
Helen says
So glad this makes you happy, Mila! Hope you give it a try some time 🙂
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
This looks like such a delicious cake!! The simple cakes are always the best and I agree with the let down of biting into a “beautifully decorated” cake and finding it tastes horrible!! I can totally sink my teeth into a few of these pieces! 😉
You are DEFINITELY not a prima donna! I feel the SAME way about coffee… I often send back my latte or cappuccino if it’s not made properly 😀 Or bring my own coffee going on trips :p
Helen says
Thank you for saying we’re not prima donnas, Dini!!! And glad you like the cake – oooh, now I want to make another one!
Kathy Hester says
Chocolate and orange is my favorite flavor combo! I can’t wait to try this out.
Helen says
Me too! Hope you give it a try, Kathy!
Kelly says
Oh my god, best cake I’ve tried upto now and tried a lot, thank u
Helen says
Hi Kelly! You’ve made my day! Thanks so much for popping back and letting me know 🙂
Nadine says
Love this cake recipe!! Done it twice already and it was amazing but third time I added little water to the cocoa coffee mix and they cake turned out dry 🙁 Is there any tried amount for adding water? Like 1 cup or so.
Helen says
Hi Nadine! So happy you like this recipe as much as we do! It’s a coincidence though that you mention being a bit disappointed the last time you made it, because exactly the same happened to me. I’ve been making it for ages with great results, and then just recently I made it and it turned out slightly more on the dry side – just at the edges, really. In my case, I don’t think it had anything to do with the liquid (I just mix the cocoa and coffee until it’s a pouring consistency) – I think I slightly over-baked. So maybe check the cake after 20 minutes and then every couple of minutes after that?
I am however going to re-test this recipe to see if I need to make any few tweaks. I’ll update the recipe if I crack the code! 🙂
Safiyyah says
Hi Helen – I’m a first-timer on your blog & I must admit all your recipes look amazing!
I was wondering whether you’ve tried adding orange zest to the cake as opposed to the ganache? Or do you think this would be flavour-overload?
Kind Regards
Safiyyah
Helen says
Hello Safiyyah and welcome! This is one of my favourite cakes and I really do hope you enjoy it. Do you mean to sprinkle orange zest on top of the ganache, or to miss the ganache out altogether? I think you do need something to sandwich the cake together, even if you just use a little bit, but I don’t see why you couldn’t add some more zest to the top. Have I understood what you mean correctly? Anyway, I say adapt to your heart’s content. It’s your cake and if you want to add more zest then go for it! 🙂
Amy says
This tasted great and was easy to make but i find it didn’t rise much at all – each cake turned out to be about 1 inch thick and the picture makes it look a lot thicker – maybe my pan was too big??? But it is great – thank you!
Helen says
Hi Amy… hmmmmm. The cakes should definitely each be how they look in the photos – at least 2 or 3 inches thick. The cake pans should be 8 inches in diameter, and I used self-rising flour and baking powder. Is this how you made the cakes?? 🙂
Ellie Wetz says
Hi! Can I ask, what %cacao chocolate did you use for both the cake and the ganache? Or did you use milk chocolate? Definitely going to try this for my Mum’s birthday cake tomorrow!
Thanks in advance for your advice
Helen says
Hello Ellie! I’m so pleased that you’re going to give this a go! If I had a choice, I’d use some nice dark chocolate to put inside the cake batter (any %) and milk chocolate for the ganache, but to be honest any chocolate will work. Totally up to you! Good luck!
DebrahDavis says
can you tell me what the ingredients are in U.S. measurements?
Helen says
Hi Debrah. Do you mean in cups? If so, you need:
1/2 cup cocoa,
2/3 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
1 cup plus a tablespoon flour
3/4 cup heavy cream (for the ganache)
Good luck!!
Rosalin Sahoo says
I made it, and as the caption suggests, it was really good, really simple. Loved the fudge like texture. Not over-sweet, just perfect. I, however, added the zest to cake batter in stead of the icing. And that way I got freshness of orange in every bite. Thank you Helen for sharing the recipe. Looking forward to more.
Helen says
Awww, so great to get your (positive) feedback, Rosalin. This really is one of my favourite easy cakes, and I love your idea of adding orange zest to the cake batter as well – why not?! 🙂
Kiara says
How orangey is this cake? I’m hoping to make it for my birthday but I want the chocolate to have an unmistakably orange flavor.
Helen says
Hi Kiara! Sorry it’s taken a while to reply – we’ve been moving this week so I’ve been a bit slower at responding to comments than usual. I hope I haven’t missed your birthday!
If you’d like an extra orangey cake, add the zest of another orange to the cake mixture as well as to the ganache. I’ve tried that and it definitely made it taste even more orangey. Good luck!
Becca says
Great cake, loads of comments on how nice it is from friends and family. Made for my husbands birthday and the whole family couldn’t get enough of it!
Helen says
Hi Becca. Thank you so much for taking the time to give your lovely positive feedback. You’ve made my day! This is one of my favourite cakes too, and now you’ve made me crave it again!
Sandra Shaffer says
Oh yes! This cake sounds delicious. Coffee with cocoa makes a delicious difference in bringing out the chocolate flavor in baked goods. I’ve also been know to inquire about the details where I’m staying. Good coffee is a must!!
Helen says
Hi Sandra. So glad you like the sound of this. The coffee really does make a difference (both in the cake and at a B&B!!)
Sues says
This cake looks gorgeous!! I’m a big fan of the chocolate orange combo, so I’m sure I’d LOVE this!
Helen says
Hi Sue! Thanks for your great feedback. I really hope you try this some time!