Ultimate Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

My Chocolate Orange Cake recipe balances that deep, fudgy sweetness with a zesty kick that wakes up your palate.

If you crave a dessert that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated, this easy bake delivers on every level. I make this whenever I need a little sunshine on a plate, and it disappears faster than I can slice it.

What Makes This Chocolate Orange Cake So Special

The texture of this cake is incredibly moist thanks to the addition of hot orange juice in the batter. You get a tender crumb that stays fresh for days without drying out.

I also swapped traditional buttercream for a tangy cream cheese frosting that complements the citrus notes perfectly. It adds a lush creaminess that cuts through the sugar for a balanced bite every time.

You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated techniques to pull this off in your own kitchen. It is a straightforward dump-and-mix method that yields bakery-quality results with minimal effort.

If you enjoyed this citrusy treat, you have to try my Zesty Energy Cookies Recipe for another bright snack. For true cocoa lovers, the Ultimate Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe is another must-bake that I keep in regular rotation.

Everything You Need for Perfect Chocolate Orange Cake

Here is the simple shopping list you need to gather before baking:

• Granulated sugar: Provides the necessary sweetness and structure for the cake layers.
• All-purpose flour: The base of the cake that ensures a tender yet sturdy crumb.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the cake its deep, rich chocolate flavor.
• Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Baking soda: Reacts with the acidic ingredients to create lift and tenderness.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the chocolate.
• Eggs: Large eggs bind the batter and add richness.
• Whole milk: Adds moisture and fat for a softer texture.
• Coconut oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist; you can also use vegetable oil.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the chocolate flavor.
• Pure orange extract: Concentrates the citrus flavor in both the cake and frosting.
• Fresh orange juice: Used hot to bloom the cocoa and add authentic zestiness.
• Powdered sugar: The base for the smooth, sweet frosting.
• Butter: Room temperature butter creates a fluffy frosting foundation.
• Cream cheese: Adds tang and stability to the chocolate frosting.

My Method for Chocolate Orange Cake

Let’s get baking!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F before you begin mixing to ensure it reaches the right temperature. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans generously, line the bottoms with parchment paper, grease the paper, and then lightly dust the pans with a little cocoa powder to prevent any sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure you break up any large clumps of cocoa powder so the dry mixture is uniform and airy.
3. Add the eggs, milk, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and orange extract to the dry ingredients. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat everything together on medium speed for about two minutes until the batter looks smooth and fully combined.
4. Heat your orange juice in a small saucepan or microwave until it is just boiling. Very slowly pour the hot juice into the batter while mixing gently by hand; the batter will become quite thin and liquid, which is exactly what you want for a moist crumb.
5. Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared cake pans and place them in the oven. Bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, or until the centers are set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
6. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans on a wire rack for about 10 to 15 minutes. Run a butter knife gently around the edges to loosen them, then invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely before peeling off the parchment paper.
7. While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting by creaming the butter and powdered sugar together in a large bowl. Add the cocoa powder, hot orange juice, and extracts, beating until blended, then whip in the room temperature cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
8. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting over the top. Stack the second layer gently on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake, creating swirls with your spatula for a rustic finish.

My Best Tips for Perfect Chocolate Orange Cake

Make sure your orange juice is piping hot when you add it to the batter to bloom the cocoa powder. This technique releases the full depth of the Chocolate Orange Cake flavor and ensures a silky texture.

I always recommend using room temperature cream cheese and butter to prevent a lumpy frosting. If your ingredients are too cold, the mixture won’t whip into that fluffy, cloud-like consistency you want.

Don’t skip the parchment paper lining for your cake pans to ensure a clean release every single time. It saves so much frustration and keeps the edges of your Chocolate Orange Cake looking pristine.

How I Like to Serve This Chocolate Orange Cake

This rich dessert pairs beautifully with a hot cup of black coffee or an Earl Grey tea to echo the citrus notes. I like to garnish the top with candied orange slices or a little grated zest for a pop of color.

You can serve it immediately, but I find the flavors meld even better if you let the frosted cake sit for an hour. It is the ultimate centerpiece for a holiday table or a cozy Sunday family dinner.

If you love simple, cozy recipes like this, follow me on Pinterest for more daily inspiration!

Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 1 hr 3 min
• Yield: 12 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A moist and zesty chocolate cake featuring fresh orange juice and a tangy chocolate cream cheese frosting.

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Ingredients

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1 cup hot fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp pure orange extract
• 2½ cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
• 8 tbsp butter, room temperature (for frosting)
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
• 4 tbsp hot orange juice (for frosting)
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature (for frosting)
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
• ¼ tsp orange extract (for frosting)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper, and dust with cocoa powder.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, ¾ cup cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and 1 teaspoon each of vanilla and orange extracts. Beat with a mixer for 2 minutes until well combined.
4. Heat 1 cup of orange juice until boiling. Slowly pour into the batter while stirring by hand until blended; batter will be thin.
5. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 35-38 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto racks to cool completely. Peel off parchment.
7. For frosting: Cream butter and powdered sugar. Add cocoa, hot orange juice, and extracts. Beat until blended.
8. Add cream cheese to the frosting mixture and whip until smooth and spreadable.
9. Frost the top of one cooled layer, stack the second layer, and frost the top and sides.

Notes

Ensure all cold ingredients are at room temperature before starting for the best emulsion.

• Prep Time: 25 min
• Cooling Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 38 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 52g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 68g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: chocolate orange cake, citrus chocolate dessert, homemade cake recipe, orange cream cheese frosting