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Chocolate Orange Layer Cake

Chocolate Orange Layer Cake

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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Appetizer, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup neutral oil
  • 1 cup hot coffee or hot water
  • Zest of 2 large oranges
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Orange Buttercream
  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 3 –4 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange emulsion
  • Pinch of salt
  • Chocolate Ganache Drip optional
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp butter

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 8-inch pans with parchment.
  2. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, buttermilk, and oil. Mix until combined.
  4. Add hot coffee. Batter will look thin—totally normal.
  5. Fold in orange zest and vanilla.
  6. Divide batter into pans. Bake 25–30 minutes.
  7. Cool completely.
  8. Beat butter until pale. Add sugar slowly.
  9. Mix in orange zest, juice, emulsion, and salt.
  10. Frost chilled cake layers.
  11. Pour cooled ganache drip over edges.
  12. Add extra zest or candied oranges to finish.

Notes

  • Measure with a scale for best results.
  • Chill layers before frosting to avoid slipping.
  • Use fresh oranges, not bottled juice.
  • Ganache must be slightly warm, not hot.