X Mas Spcl: Orange Cake With Chocolate

It's been a while I baked a fancy cake and I was craving to make one. I love to make layer cakes once in a while as they gives me a sense of satisfaction. When the cake is done, I keep opening the refrigerator and keep looking at it and try to figure out what else can be done to beautify it more, until it's time to cut it.

This time, I decided to make an orange cake as I had a few oranges lying in the fruit basket and they looked so lovely and vibrant. Paired with the green leaves, they were a treat to eyes. Settled on this cake recipe which is my companion for years and added orange juice and zest to the original recipe to give a nice refreshing flavor to the cake.

Chocolate and orange go hand in hand, so made a chocolate whipped cream to frost the cake. The cake turned out very moist and soft and the frosting was light and airy. I also used the candied orange peel, I made the other day to decorate the cake. It also gave a slight crunch in each bite. Here is how I made this cake.

All you need is

For the cake

All purpose flour- 200 g
Baking powder- 1tsp
Baking soda- 1/2 tsp
Salt- a pinch
Unsalted butter- 200 g
Sugar- 200 g
Eggs- 4
Orange juice- 1/2 cup
Orange zest- 2tsp

For the frosting

Heavy whipping cream- 1 and ½ cup
Powdered sugar- 2 cups
Semi sweet chocolate- 150 g
Unsalted butter- 50 g
Vanilla extract- 1tsp

For the cake

Pre heat the oven to 170 degrees C.
Grease and flour an 8 inch pan.
Mix all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
Beat butter and sugar in a bowl till light and fluffy. ( Approx 4-5 minutes on high speed )

For the cake

Add eggs, one at a time and mix well.
Add the orange juice and orange zest and mix well.
Add the flour and mix till combined.
Pour the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, till a tooth pick comes out clean.

For the cake

Remove the pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.
Remove the cake from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

For the frosting

Melt chocolate and butter in a pan.
Remove from heat and bring to room temperature.

For the frosting

Add vanilla extract and mix.
Mix powdered sugar and cream in a bowl.

For the frosting

Whip cream till stiff peaks are formed.
Add the melted and cooled chocolate and fold till combined.

Assembly.

Cut the cake into two layers.
Keep one layer on the serving platter.
Keep a big dollop of cream on top and spread it evenly.

Assembly

Cover it with another layer of cake.
Cover the cake with remaining frosting.
Decorate as you like.