Easy Chocolate Orange Cake
A delightful dessert that perfectly combines rich chocolate with a refreshing hint of orange zest, easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of vinegar)
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large zest of large orange
- 0.5 cup fresh orange juice
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Whisk until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve as is or with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance.
Notes
For a deeper chocolate flavor, consider using dark cocoa powder. If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting or serving; this helps prevent any melting or sogginess. For a twist, try using lemon zest and lemon juice instead of orange.