Description

This Decadent Chocolate Orange Layer Cake is rich, moist, and infused with fresh orange flavor, layered with smooth chocolate ganache frosting. It’s an easy yet impressive dessert perfect for celebrations, holidays, or when you want a bakery-style cake at home.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon orange zest

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1 cup hot coffee or hot water

For the Ganache Frosting:

1 cup heavy cream

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice. Mix until combined.

4. Slowly stir in hot coffee or water until batter is smooth (it will be thin).

5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.

6. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

7. Let cakes cool completely before removing from pans.

8. To make ganache, heat heavy cream until just simmering, then pour over chopped chocolate.

9. Let sit for 2–3 minutes, then stir until smooth. Add vanilla and orange zest.

10. Allow ganache to cool slightly until thickened.

11. Spread ganache between cake layers and over the top and sides.

12. Let set before slicing and serving.

Notes

Hot coffee enhances chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.

Do not frost the cake while warm to prevent melting.

Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus flavor.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.