A Slice of Heaven: The Perfect Chocolate Orange Cake

Few dessert combinations are as timeless and indulgent as Chocolate Orange Cake. The rich, deep flavor of chocolate paired with the fresh zest of orange creates a cake that feels both luxurious and refreshing. It’s the kind of dessert that makes a simple afternoon tea feel special and turns any dinner into a celebration.

This recipe balances moist chocolate sponge with the brightness of citrus and tops it all with a silky chocolate-orange frosting. The best part? It’s approachable enough for beginner bakers yet elegant enough to impress guests.

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Chocolate Orange Cake

This Chocolate Orange Cake is rich, moist, and bursting with citrusy brightness. Topped with a dreamy chocolate-orange frosting, it’s the perfect balance of indulgent and refreshing.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, European-Inspired

Servings 8 slices

Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

• 8-inch Round Cake Pan or Loaf Pan
• Hand or Stand Mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

  

For the Cake

• 6 tbsp butter room temperature
• 0.75 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp orange zest zest of ½ large navel orange
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 0.75 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
• 0.75 cup whole milk
• 0.5 tsp white vinegar

For the Frosting

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter softened
• 0.5 tsp fresh orange zest
• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 2 oz semisweet chocolate melted and cooled slightly

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan or loaf pan with parchment paper.
• Cream butter, brown sugar, and white sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
• Mix in egg, egg yolk, and orange zest, scraping bowl to incorporate fully.
• Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
• Make buttermilk: stir milk and vinegar together, let sit 2 minutes.
• Alternately add dry ingredients and milk mixture to butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry. Mix just until smooth.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 28–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely before frosting.
• For the frosting: beat softened butter with orange zest and juice until creamy. Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Blend in melted chocolate. Spread over cooled cake.

Notes

For extra indulgence, decorate with chocolate shavings or candied orange peel. Keeps well covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keyword Cake, Chocolate, Orange

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Orange Cake

• Rich & Moist Texture  Cocoa powder and brown sugar give this cake depth and softness.
• Bright Citrus Flavor  Fresh orange zest and juice cut through the richness.
• Simple Ingredients  You probably have everything in your pantry already.
• Versatile Baking  Works in a round cake pan, loaf pan, or even as cupcakes.
• Showstopper Frosting  Glossy, smooth, and packed with chocolate-orange flavor.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 6 tbsp (85 g) butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup (145 g) brown sugar
• 2 tbsp (25 g) white sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• Zest of ½ large navel orange (~1 tsp)
• 1 cup (130 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ½ tsp white vinegar

For the Chocolate Orange Frosting

• 8 tbsp (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ tsp fresh orange zest
• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
• ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1½ cups (168 g) powdered sugar
• 2 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step1: Prep the Oven & Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan or loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step2: Cream Butter & Sugars

Beat butter, brown sugar, and white sugar with a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

Step3: Add Eggs & Orange Zest

Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and orange zest. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.

Step4: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5: Make Buttermilk

In a cup, stir milk and vinegar together. Let sit for 2 minutes.

Step 6: Combine Batter

Alternately add dry ingredients and milk mixture to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Mix just until smooth avoid over beating.

Step7: Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 28–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely before frosting.

Making the Dreamy Chocolate Orange Frosting

• Beat softened butter with orange zest and juice until creamy.
• Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
• Blend in melted chocolate for a glossy, rich finish.
• Spread over the cooled cake and enjoy!

Nutrition Benefits (Per Slice – 8 slices, approximate)

Variations

• Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake: Use a loaf pan and adjust baking time to 40–45 minutes.
• Cupcake Style: Bake in muffin tins for 16–18 minutes.
• Extra Indulgent: Add chocolate chips to the batter.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Lighter Option: Replace half the butter with Greek yogurt for a lower-fat version.

Serving Suggestions

• Dust with powdered sugar for a minimalist look.
• Pair with fresh orange slices for garnish.
• Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra flourish.

My Slice of the Story

The first time I made this, it was a Tuesday. I’d had a rough day, the kind where your coffee goes cold before you even take a sip. But the moment I caught that aroma bright, orange and rich cocoa, I felt the weight lift a little. This moist chocolate orange cake became my little evening ritual, one that even my picky eater asks for by name now.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap unfrosted cake tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Frost once thawed.

FAQs About orange zest dessert

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Orange Cake is rich, moist, and bursting with citrusy brightness. It’s the perfect balance of deep chocolate flavor and refreshing orange zest, finished with a luscious frosting that makes each bite unforgettable.
Whether served for a holiday dessert, afternoon tea, or a cozy family dinner, this chocolate cake recipe is sure to impress. Try it once, and it will become a regular on your Kenzrecipes baking list. we need.

Hungry for More?

If you’re a fan of easy cakes, you might love our Olive Oil Cake another rich, one-bowl wonder. And for citrus lovers, don’t miss the bright and beautiful Citrus Orange Mandarin Cake that’s just as fuss-free.