This Chocolate Orange Cake combines rich chocolate with the fresh, zesty flavor of orange for an irresistible dessert. Topped with a decadent chocolate orange glaze and decorated with chocolate orange segments, it’s a beautiful and delicious treat for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The cake beautifully blends the deep richness of chocolate with the fresh citrusy notes of orange, creating a delightful contrast.
Moist and Tender: Made with ground almonds, this cake is naturally gluten-free, providing a moist and delicate texture.
Elegant Decoration: The chocolate orange glaze and optional orange segment candies elevate the cake, making it perfect for special occasions or a luxurious treat.
Simple to Make: Despite its elegant appearance, this cake is simple to prepare and comes together easily with the help of a food processor.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cake:

1 large orange or 2 small (about 375g)
6 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups ground almonds or almond flour
1 cup caster sugar
½ cup cocoa powder (good quality)

For the Chocolate Orange Glaze:

6 ounces dark chocolate
1 cup cream
1 teaspoon Cointreau (optional)

For Decorating (Optional):

Chocolate orange segment candies

Directions

Prepare the Oranges:
- Place the oranges in a saucepan with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours until the oranges are soft. Drain and let them cool.
- Once cool, cut the oranges in half and remove any large seeds.
Make the Cake Batter:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch springform pan.
- In a food processor, pulse the cooled oranges until pulpy. Add the eggs, baking powder, baking soda, ground almonds, sugar, and cocoa powder. Process until smooth, but still flecked with orange pieces.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour. Check at 45 minutes, covering with foil if it starts to brown too quickly. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Make the Glaze:
- Chop the chocolate and place it in a bowl. Heat the cream in a saucepan until almost boiling, then pour it over the chocolate. Let it stand for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Add Cointreau if using, then allow the glaze to sit for 10 minutes to thicken.
Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cake has cooled in the pan, remove it and place it on a serving plate.
- Pour the chocolate glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides. Decorate with optional chocolate orange segment candies.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 10 slices
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the cake without the glaze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake can be baked ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. Add the glaze and decoration just before serving.

Can I make this cake without the Cointreau?

Yes, you can omit the Cointreau from the glaze, or substitute it with orange juice or zest for a more citrus-forward flavor.

Can I make this cake with a different flour?

You can substitute the ground almonds with a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture may be slightly different.

Can I use a different chocolate for the glaze?

Yes, you can use any high-quality dark chocolate, but the richness of the glaze will depend on the cocoa content.

Can I make this cake vegan?

Yes, you can substitute the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, and use coconut cream in place of the heavy cream for the glaze.

How do I know when the cake is done?

The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached.

What can I use instead of ground almonds?

You can try using hazelnut flour or a different nut flour, but this may slightly alter the flavor.

Can I decorate the cake with something else?

Yes, you can decorate the cake with fresh orange slices, chocolate curls, or whipped cream for a different presentation.

Is this cake gluten-free?

Yes, this cake is gluten-free due to the use of ground almonds instead of flour.

Can I freeze this cake?

Yes, you can freeze the cake layers without the glaze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before glazing.

Conclusion

The Chocolate Orange Cake is a perfect blend of rich chocolate and fresh orange flavors, with a luxurious chocolate glaze that makes it both decadent and beautiful. Whether for a special occasion or just because, this cake is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Chocolate Orange Cake

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Author: sara
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 10 slices
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Chocolate Orange Cake is a luxurious dessert that combines rich chocolate and zesty orange flavors for a truly indulgent treat. Gluten-free and moist thanks to ground almonds, this cake is topped with a decadent chocolate-orange glaze and optional chocolate orange segment candies, making it perfect for special occasions or a refined dessert to enjoy anytime.

Instructions

Prepare the Oranges:
- Place the oranges in a saucepan with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours until the oranges are soft. Drain and let them cool.
- Once cool, cut the oranges in half and remove any large seeds.
Make the Cake Batter:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch springform pan.
- In a food processor, pulse the cooled oranges until pulpy. Add the eggs, baking powder, baking soda, ground almonds, sugar, and cocoa powder. Process until smooth, but still flecked with orange pieces.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour. Check at 45 minutes, covering with foil if it starts to brown too quickly. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Make the Glaze:
- Chop the chocolate and place it in a bowl. Heat the cream in a saucepan until almost boiling, then pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Add Cointreau if using, then allow the glaze to sit for 10 minutes to thicken.
Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cake has cooled in the pan, remove it and place it on a serving plate.
- Pour the chocolate glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides. Decorate with optional chocolate orange segment candies.

Notes

Make Ahead: This cake can be baked ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. Add the glaze and decoration just before serving.
Glaze Options: You can substitute the Cointreau with orange juice or zest for a citrus-forward flavor, or omit it entirely.
Flour Substitutes: Ground almonds make this cake gluten-free, but you can use a gluten-free flour blend if you prefer.
Vegan Version: Substitute eggs with flax eggs or applesauce and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for the glaze.
Decorating Options: In place of chocolate orange segment candies, you can use fresh orange slices, chocolate curls, or whipped cream for a different presentation.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British, American