I wasn't sure whether to share a Chocolate Orange Cake as there are SO many recipes for them out there. But then I thought, well this is my version and if you like my other cakes then you will surely like this one too! This Chocolate Orange Cake is two layer of moist chocolate orange sponge with chocolate orange buttercream, decorated with Terry's Chocolate Orange pieces and orange sprinkles. I've made it several times over the years for birthdays and other celebrations and it always goes down well!
How to make Chocolate Orange Cake...
To make the sponge I mixed butter and sugar together, then whisked in eggs and orange extract. Finally I mixed in self raising flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. I divided them between the cake tins and baked them.
To decorate the cake I made a buttercream from butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder, milk and orange extract.
I crammed as much Terry's Chocolate Orange as I could manage on top of the Chocolate Orange Cake! Can you ever have enough?! I also added some orange sprinkles to continue the orange theme, but of course you can use any sprinkles you like, or none at all.
Recommended equipment & ingredients*
| 8" cake tins | Mixing bowls | Cooling rack |
| Kitchen scales | Electric hand mixer | Wilton 2D Piping nozzle |
| Piping bags | Terry's Chocolate Orange | Orange extract |
*I earn a small amount of money if you buy the products after clicking on the links. You will not be charged anything extra for this. Thank you for supporting The Baking Explorer!
Tips for making the Chocolate Orange Cake:
- You do need orange extract to get a good level of orange flavour from this recipe. Please don't substitute it for orange juice as it won't work. Orange extract is pretty easy to get hold of in the baking aisle, I get mine from Tesco, or you can order it online from Amazon.
- You could bake this cake as one mix in a deep tin, then cut it in half once baked, just increase the baking to 45-50 minutes and check it is done with a thin skewer inserted in the centre. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
- If you don't have Terry's Chocolate Orange where you live, or you can't get hold of it, just use any other orange flavoured chocolate treat like Lindt, Matchmakers, or perhaps the elusive orange Twirl!!
More chocolate orange recipes...
Chocolate Orange Cake
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 350 g Butter or baking spread
- 350 g Caster sugar
- 6 Eggs large
- 2 tsp Orange extract
- 1 tbsp Milk
- 300 g Self raising flour
- 50 g Cocoa powder
- ½ tsp Baking powder
For the buttercream
- 250 g Butter or baking spread
- 450 g Icing sugar
- 50 g Cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tbsp Milk
- 2 tsp Orange extract
For decoration
- 1 Terry's Chocolate Orange
- Orange sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 160C Fan/180C/350F/Gas Mark 4, and grease and line two 8" cake tins (that are at least 2" deep)
- Make the sponge by mixing the butter and caster sugar in a large bowl with a spoon until fluffy, or mix using an electric mixer
- Add the eggs, orange extract and milk, and whisk until fully incorporated
- Add the self raising flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and whisk in until you can't see any flour anymore
- Divide the mixture between the tins, use scales for accuracy
- Bake them for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave them to fully cool either in the tins or remove from the tin and place on cooling racks
- To make the chocolate buttercream mix the butter, cocoa powder and icing sugar together. Once it starts to come together add the orange extract and milk and mix until smooth. I use my electric hand whisk to do this but you can also do it by hand with a spoon
- If the cakes have domed on top, level them off with a cake leveller or a serrated knife
- Put one of the sponges on your plate or cake stand and pipe or spread some of the buttercream onto it
- Add the other sponge on top and pipe or spread the remaining buttercream on top
- Decorate with the Terry's Chocolate Orange pieces, and orange sprinkles if using
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for 2-3 days
Video
Nutrition
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NB. This post is NOT sponsored by Terry's - I just love their product!
If you like this, check out more of my Cake recipes!
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I'm linking this recipe up with Cook Blog Share hosted by Recipes Made Easy, and Fiesta Fridays hosted by Angie and Spades, Spatulas & Spoons.
Rosemary
Can't go wrong with chocolate and orange - this cake looks beautiful and I bet it tastes delicious!
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
One of my favourite flavour combinations and it looks stunning too!
Donna
Oh it's beautiful! We've done quite a bit with chocolate orange, but I don't actually think we've ever made a cake! Will have to give it a go!
Michelle Rolfe
Stunning looking cake and my all time favourite flavour combination! Thanks for sharing. Michelle
Jacqui Bellefontaine
Despite loving chocolate and orange the two combined is not one of my favourites (although I know many would disagree) and I can see you don't fall in that camp. That said your cake looks amazing, thank you for sharing on #CookBlogShare for all those chocolate orange lovers out there.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
Chocolate orange is one of my favourite flavour combinations! This cake looks perfect.
Liz
A chocolate orange is always included in our Christmas stockings. But this cake is absolutely over the top, why even bother with dinner! Thank you for bringing it to FF.
Angie | Fiesta Friday
Gorgeous cake!
Kristin
Could you please write all ingredients in regular measurements.Thanks
thebakingexplorer
Hi Kristin, what do you mean by regular measurements? The measurements listed are regular to me 🙂 If you're looking to convert them you can check my conversion guide here: thebakingexplorer.com/ingredients-conversions/
Elena
My favourite combination! I’ve made many of Kat’s recipes now and this is one of my favourites! Kat’s recipes are always so easy to follow, the cakes are beautifully presented and most importantly very tasty! Thank you for sharing such lovey recipes!
thebakingexplorer
Thanks so much Elena!
Becky
I made this for a friends birthday, he ate the whole lot to himself over the course of 3 days! I think that speaks for itself!
Lauren
Would this recipe hold up to covering the cake all over with a smooth layer of the buttercream, either from this recipe and/or the one from your chocolate orange drip cake recipe please?x
thebakingexplorer
Yes, absolutely!
Tracey Ross
Wow what a beautiful cake! This was my first Baking Explorer recipe. It was so easy to follow and tastes amazing. I am based in the USA and used Simply Organic Orange Flavor as this brand has incredible flavourings/essences. The orange flavour really comes through in the cake and buttercream and is just like the same orange from the Terry’s chocolate. I can’t wait to try another recipe now! Many thanks Tracey
thebakingexplorer
Hi Tracey, thank you so much for your lovely feedback! Your cake over on instagram looked superb!!
Lisaj Preston
Hi Kat can I make this beautiful cake that day before ..thankyou
thebakingexplorer
Hi, the cake will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for 2-3 days. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Tom F
Thanks so much for this - the recipe was easy to follow, I used quite deep tins so I let the sponge cook for an extra ten minutes, checking with a skewer after the extra 5 mins to make sure I didn’t overcook it!
Your recipe and instructions made it very easy for an amateur like myself to follow, and I completely agree with the orange extract being added, it smells fragrant and fresh.
5 stars!
Hafsah
Amazing cake recipe, tried it and the cake turned out delicious! Definitely recommend
thebakingexplorer
Thank you so much Hafsah!
Charlotte
Do not make this cake using the one tin method!!
I left it for 1h in the oven tested, brought it out then left it to cool. When I returned it had sunk- put it in for a another 15mins! Tested again, brought it out and left to cool again... took it out of the cake tin turned upside down and you can see it’s still raw, a wonderful chocolate fondant! Cut out the middle and back into the oven again! Tastes great but I hope I’ll eventually get to decorate it!
thebakingexplorer
Hi Charlotte, I'm sorry this happened! It sounds like your cake was not baked when you removed it from the oven, unfortunately once a cake is cooled down, putting it back in the oven will not help. The best way to check a cake is done is by inserting a long thin skewer in the centre (you can buy cake testers) if it comes out clean then the cake is done. I hope that helps for next time 🙂
Fallon
I absolutely love this recipe! I have made this cake 4 times and every time I've made it everyone loved it that ate it! Even my dad that likes to call himself a cake connoisseur gave it a 10+/10 😄 I would definitely recommend it and will be continuing to use it as my go to cake recipe!
thebakingexplorer
Thanks SO much Fallon!! This is such wonderful feedback 😀
Laura Sylvester
An absolute winner! I’ve lost count of the times I’ve made this. Yum!
Gaynor
Hi can you tell me what piping tip you use
thebakingexplorer
Hi Gaynor, yes it was a wilton 2D - it's linked in the recommended equipment section above 🙂
Mona Tailor
The best recipe that I have used! I have used this recipe to make both a chocolate orange cake and chocolate cake. Honestly had the best compliments when using Kat's recipes! Everything is so easy to understand and follow and you will definitely come out with the best tasting cakes!
thebakingexplorer
Thanks so much for such lovely feedback Mona!! 😀