This orange chocolate cake recipe is sophisticated in flavor comprising an orange-flavored sponge cake, orange custard center, and a chocolate glaze. However, despite its elegant look and multiple components, it is shockingly easy to make when you want a special dessert to serve your family or guests.
This orange chocolate cake requires four components. First, you make a cake batter by mixing eggs with sugar, orange zest, salt, flour, and cornstarch before baking it in a round cake pan. Then, you make a pastry cream with orange-infused milk, egg yolks, sugar, orange juice, Cointreau, and cornstarch, and cook it until it is thickened to a cream-like consistency. After that, you make an orange syrup and a dark chocolate glaze before assembling the cake. Brushing the cake layers gives them a strong orange taste while the chocolate glaze adds taste and texture on top.
What is Orange Chocolate Cake?
This orange chocolate cake is a sponge cake that has two layers and an orange-flavored pastry cream in between the layers. Then, once assembled, the entire dessert is coated in a dark chocolate glaze which hardens and adds a glossy, rich finish.
Pro Tips
- When zesting the orange, avoid getting any of the white pith which can add bitterness.
- You will be able to tell the cake is properly baked when you can insert a skewer and it comes out clean.
- When making the custard, whisk it consistently to prevent it from forming lumps.
- If you find that the custard has formed lumps, you may be able to save it by straining it through a fine-mesh sieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Orange Should Be Used for Orange Chocolate Cake?
You can use whatever type of orange you prefer such as naval oranges or cara cara oranges. Blood oranges are also a good option although they often have a sweeter taste than other types of oranges.
Can I Make the Cake Dairy-free?
Yes, you can! The only dairy components in this recipe are the milk and butter, which are easy to replace with plant-based alternatives.
Can I Use Another Type of Chocolate to Glaze the Cake?
Yes, while dark chocolate is a particularly good contrast to the sweetness in the cake, you could replace it with semi-sweet chocolate or milk chocolate if you prefer.
How to Store Orange Chocolate Cake
Due to its chocolate coating and pastry cream, this cake should be stored in the fridge. Simply cover it with plastic wrap before putting it in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days.
Ingredients
How to Make Chocolate Orange Fiesta Cake
For the orange cream, place the milk and orange peel in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Remove the orange peel and take the saucepan off the heat.
For the cake, in a bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until thickened. Beat in the sifted flour, cornstarch, orange zest, and salt until combined.
Serve garnished with orange slices.
Pour the batter into a floured 24 cm cake pan and bake it in a 360 F (180 C) oven for 25 minutes.
For the orange cream, place the milk and orange peel in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Remove the orange peel and take the saucepan off the heat.
In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
Whisk the mixture into the saucepan, return it to the heat, and simmer it, while whisking, until thickened. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.
For the orange syrup, combine the orange juice with the sugar and Cointreau, and bring it to a boil. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.
To assemble, cut the cake in half horizontally.
Brush the cake with some of the orange syrup.
Pipe the orange cream on top.
Place the remaining cake layer on top.
Place the chocolate and butter in a saucepan, and melt it over low heat while stirring.
Place the cake on a rack set over a baking sheet. Pour the glaze over top so that it coats the top and sides.
Fill a piping bag with the remaining glaze and pip zig-zags on top.
Serve garnished with orange slices.
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