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February 2, 2022 By Karen 3 Comments

Chocolate Orange Cake

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This decadent, rich and fudgy chocolate orange cake is a perfect chocolate cake recipe when you are craving something a little different. This egg-free chocolate bundt cake with ganache is made with high-quality cocoa powder, freshly squeezed orange juice and grated orange zest for a flavor that lingers long after the last bite.

Chocolate orange bundt cake on a pedestal.

If there is one dessert I am always craving, it has to be chocolate cake!

I was inspired to make this one day while snacking on chocolate-covered orange truffle candies. I love the flavor combination and decided to bring the flavors together in cake form.

I thought the flavor pairing would taste nice with a dark chocolate ganache so I decided to make an orange-flavored chocolate bundt cake with orange zest and a rich ganache as a chocolate glaze to drizzle over the top.

This rich, moist chocolate orange cake recipe is the perfect way to end any special dinner or holiday meal. I love to serve it up after enjoying a meal with Champagne Chicken or Pork Wellington. Serving it up with a Classic Mimosa or hot coffee with a splash of Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream makes it even better.

Let me show you how to make it!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients for Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake
  • How to Make a Chocolate Orange Cake
  • Storage
  • Expert Tips and FAQS
  • More Dessert Recipes
  • Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake with Ganache

Ingredients for Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

Despite how complicated the dessert looks, it's actually very easy to make and the ingredients should be easy to find.

To make the chocolate orange cake, you will need:

Ingredients to make chocolate orange bundt cake on the table.
  • Flour: The base of the recipe. Use sifted all purpose flour if you are able.
  • Cocoa: The cake will get its flavor from baking cocoa, while the ganache will use chocolate.
  • Granulated sugar: To balance out the cocoa.
  • Baking soda: For a light and fluffy cake.
  • Salt: Just a pinch takes chocolate to the next level.
  • Orange juice: You can use fresh or concentrate.
  • Mayonnaise: My grandma's secret ingredient in her famous chocolate cake.
  • Vanilla: To deepen the decadent flavor. Use pure extract rather than flavoring.
  • Orange zest: This adds a new layer to the orange flavor and bursts of flavor through the batter.

For the chocolate ganache you will need:

Ingredients to make chocolate ganache for chocolate and orange cake.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate: Don't skimp on this ingredient! Get the good stuff. I love Ghiradelli brand.
  • Heavy Cream: Pouring warm cream over chocolate is the easiest and most delicious way to make a ganache.
  • Corn Syrup: Helps with the consistency of the ganache and gives it a beautiful shine!

See the recipe card further down on the page for the exact quantities.

Substitutions

  • Flour: I have not personally made this with gluten free flour, but usually a 1:1 blend is a safe substitution.
  • Cocoa Powder: For every 3 Tablespoons of cocoa required, you can substitute 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate, melted. Add when you add wet ingredients.
  • Granulated Sugar: You can use granular monk fruit or Swerve granular replacement.
  • Mayonnaise: You can also use sour cream if you prefer.

Equipment

You don't need anything fancy to make chocolate orange cake! You probably have everything you need in your kitchen already.

  • Bundt Pan - a 9 inch is perfect, but larger can by used if necessary.
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Electric Mixer
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Citrus Juicer if using fresh pressed juice.

How to Make a Chocolate Orange Cake

Here is an overview of the instructions for making an orange chocolate bundt cake. More detailed instructions are found in the recipe card further down on the page.

Let's start with the cake first. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a bundt cake pan with baking spray. Another option for coating the pan is to spread butter over the inside of the pan.

No matter which option you choose make sure to grease it up well so your bundt call will come out of the pan easily. Then sprinkle flour and cocoa powder over the spray or butter. This keeps the cake extra protected from sticking.

Mixing the dry ingredients together to make a chocolate orange cake recipe.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

You can also use a sifter, but I find mixing with a nice careful whisking works great to combine everything.

Using a hand mixer to make the batter for a chocolate orange cake recipe.

Use an electric mixer on low speed and slowly add the orange juice, mayo, and vanilla to the bowl of dry ingredients.

As you add the liquid to that baking soda base, the acid will cause it to foam. This will make for a light and airy cake when baked, but can sometimes get messy!

Finish by folding in the orange zest until everything is good and mixed.

Batter is poured into a bundt pan.

Pour the batter into the sprayed and floured bundt cake and bake for 45-55 minutes.

The best way to check if the cake is done is by inserting a knife or toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean, it's finished.

Chocolate orange bundt cake fresh from the oven in the pan.

Remove the cake from the oven when it's ready and allow it to cool completely before you start the ganache. Pouring the ganache on a warm cake could delay the ganache from setting.

Adding the milk to the chocolate to make ganache.

Once your chocolate orange cake is completely cooled make the ganache by warming your heavy cream just to boiling point and pouring the warm cream over the chopped chocolate.

Ganache in a bowl with whisk.

I like to use a small whisk and stir around until the chocolate is melted. I also recommend adding just a Tablespoon of corn syrup to help with the texture and the shine.

Pouring the ganache over the top of the chocolate and orange cake.

Next, my favorite part! It's time to pour the beautiful ganache over the bundt cake. There are three ways you can do this:

  1. Move the bundt cake onto a cooling rack with parchment paper under it. This makes it easy to clean up excess ganache.
  2. Place the bundt cake onto it's final serving platter and place parchment paper around the outside to catch drips.
  3. Pour it on the cake and call the excess drips delicious art!

Once your ganache is on the cake, you can sprinkle with some orange zest or garnish with orange slices and fresh mint.

Chocolate and orange cake on the table with a slice cut and slightly pulled out from cake.

Storage

This chocolate orange cake was good on the counter for three days. After that, it started to dry out, and although delicious...it wasn't ideal.

This cake is best fresh and cannot be frozen.

Expert Tips and FAQS

  • Use a very large bowl because the baking soda and orange juice mixture will fizz a bit.
  • Coat your bundt pan with cooking spray or butter and sprinkle with flour and cocoa powder for a perfectly shaped bundt cake.
  • Place parchment under the bundt cake when pouring the ganache to keep your serving platter or cake stand clean.
  • Use a knife or toothpick to check for doneness in the cake.
  • Do not overheat the heavy cream when making the ganache. Heat just until boiling point.
  • Garnish with fresh orange zest or slices for an extra fresh burst of flavor.
Do chocolate and orange go together?

Yes! Chocolate and orange are an amazing combination and one of my favorite fruit and chocolate combinations. I love the tart acidity of oranges when complemented by rich dark chocolate flavor.

What do I serve bundt cake on?

I love using a cake stand to showcase the beautiful shape of the bundt cake and elevate it above everything else on the counter or table. You can also use a large serving platter or even just a large dinner plate.

Why is the batter fizzing?

Isn't that batter fizzing so satisfying? The fizzing occurs when the baking soda and acidic orange juice mixture combine. Although this takes some bakers by surprise it makes for a nice light and fluffy cake.

Slice of chocolate and orange cake with ganache on a plate.

More Dessert Recipes

  • Fresh Cranberry Bars
  • Apple Crumble Pie
  • Easy Air Fryer Pineapple Recipe
  • Instant Pot Dulce De Leche

Did you try this recipe?  Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!

Chocolate orange bundt cake on the table with a piece cut and being served.

Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake with Ganache

This airy and light chocolate orange bundt cake delivers rich, chocolate flavor and a bit of brightness from orange juice and orange zest. A decadent homemade ganache on top creates a beautifly shiny and deicious finish.
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate and orange cake recipe, chocolate orange bundt cake, chocolate orange cake recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 435kcal
Author: Karen

Equipment

  • Bundt Pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric Mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Citrus juicer if using fresh oranges for juice

Ingredients

Cake

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa
  • 1 ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Tablespoon orange zest

Ganache

  • 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  • ⅔ cup heavy cream
  • 1 Tablespoon corn syrup
  • Optional: orange zest for garnish

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a bundt pan using cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • Use an electric mixer and blend in the orange juice, mayonnaise, and vanilla until will combined.
  • Fold in the orange zest until evenly distributed.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until a knife entered in the bundt cake comes out clean. Cool completely.

Ganache

  • To make the ganache, place the semi-sweet chocolate in a small bowl.
  • Heat the heavy cream just until boiling point. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate.
  • Add the corn syrup and whisk the mixture together until all the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth.

Put it together

  • Pour the ganache over the bundt cake.
  • Top with orange zest if desired and allow ganache to set before serving.

Notes

Expert Tips:
  • Use a very large bowl because the baking soda and orange juice mixture will fizz a bit.
  • Coat your bundt pan with cooking spray or butter and sprinkle with flour and cocoa powder for a perfectly shaped bundt cake.
  • Place parchment under the bundt cake when pouring the ganache to keep your serving platter or cake stand clean.
  • Use a knife or toothpick to check for doneness in the cake.
  • Do not overheat the heavy cream when making the ganache. Heat just until boiling point.
  • Garnish with fresh orange zest or slices for an extra fresh burst of flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 445mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 3mg
Pin It and Save It for Later!!Mention @FreshCoastEats or tag #freshcoasteats!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. nancy says

    February 03, 2022 at 10:07 pm

    5 stars
    nice beautiful recipe and classic flavours

  2. Amy Liu Dong says

    February 04, 2022 at 7:15 am

    5 stars
    This cake looks so delicious and yummy. I love everything on this dish from the preparation up to the final touch is so great. Plus the top chocolate cream makes this cake an enticing and tempting one.

  3. Karen says

    February 05, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    Thank you!

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Hi, I'm Karen! I’m a food stylist, photographer and recipe developer living in the Great Lakes area with my husband and four kids. I can’t wait for you to try my simple, clean, produce driven recipes inspired by the four seasons 

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