Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe
Introduction
This Chocolate Orange Cake offers a unique and delightful way to enjoy a rich, chocolatey dessert infused with fresh orange flavors. Baked right inside orange shells, it’s as charming as it is delicious—a perfect treat to impress guests or enjoy on a cozy evening.
Ingredients
- 6 oranges
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 3 eggs
- 15 tbsp of butter
- 1 1/2 cups of dark chocolate
- 3/4 cup of flour
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Mint leaves (for decoration)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut off the tops of the oranges and carefully remove the flesh without damaging the skins. Set the flesh aside and crush it to extract the juice.
- Step 2: Place the orange tops cut side-down, then set the hollowed orange shells on top. Secure them together using a toothpick.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix sugar, 1/4 cup of the freshly squeezed orange juice, eggs, melted butter, and melted dark chocolate. Once combined, gently fold in the flour.
- Step 4: Pour this batter evenly into the prepared orange shells. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 5: Bake in a preheated oven at 350 °F for 20 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- Step 6: Dust the cakes with powdered sugar, garnish with fresh mint leaves, and serve.
Tips & Variations
- Use bittersweet chocolate for a deeper, less sweet flavor if preferred.
- Orange zest added to the batter can enhance the citrus aroma.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate.
Storage
Store any leftover cakes covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven for a few minutes to bring back the softness before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of oranges for this recipe?
Yes, sweet, juicy oranges like navel or Valencia work best to provide flavor without too much bitterness.
What if I don’t have dark chocolate?
You can substitute with milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate, but the cake will be sweeter and less intense in chocolate flavor.
PrintChocolate Orange Cake Recipe
This luscious Chocolate Orange Cake combines the zesty brightness of fresh oranges with rich dark chocolate, baked inside natural orange shells for a unique presentation. Perfectly moist and bursting with citrus flavor, this cake is an impressive yet simple dessert that beautifully marries fruity tang with indulgent chocolate.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Oranges
- 6 oranges
Wet Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 15 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup orange juice (from the crushed orange flesh)
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup flour
Chocolate
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate, melted
Garnish
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Fresh mint leaves, for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare Oranges: Cut off the tops of the oranges carefully and scoop out the flesh without damaging the orange skins to create natural serving cups. Reserve the orange flesh and crush it to extract fresh orange juice.
- Seal Orange Shells: Place the orange tops cut side down, then put the hollowed orange shells on top, aligning them properly. Secure the shells to the tops using toothpicks to hold the shape during baking.
- Make Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice, eggs, melted butter, and melted dark chocolate. Mix until smooth, then fold in the flour gently to create the cake batter.
- Fill and Bake: Portion the chocolate orange batter evenly into the prepared orange shells. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until the cake has set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the stuffed orange cakes from the oven. Dust the tops lightly with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh mint leaves for an elegant touch. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy this delightful treat!
Notes
- Ensure the orange shells are intact without holes to prevent batter leakage during baking.
- Use dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for best flavor.
- To easily remove orange flesh, score the inside and use a spoon or citrus reamer.
- To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the batter; moist crumbs are okay but it shouldn’t be wet.
- Can be served warm or cooled; refrigeration may harden the butter and chocolate slightly.
Keywords: chocolate orange cake, baked oranges, dark chocolate dessert, citrus chocolate cake, unique cake presentation, orange shell dessert
