Orange and chocolate really unite in this fun and super tasty Chocolate and Orange Cake! Two layers of chocolate cake sandwich a light and citrusy orange cake which is then layered with a creamy orange buttercream frosting. For another sweet treat, try my Orange Sweet Rolls!

 

A perfect pairing... chocolate and orange!

Chocolate and Orange Cake

This Chocolate and Orange Cake is perfect for any time of year or gathering! How about the center of your next holiday get together? I don’t think anyone will mind you bringing this lovely cake!

 

A perfect pairing... chocolate and orange!

If you love the flavors of orange and chocolate together then this cake is for you! The flavors play off one another so well… you get a subtle burst of citrus followed by the delectable chocolate.

This is one cake to keep handy that’s for sure! Kids adore it, adult adore it…how can you go wrong there?

A perfect pairing... chocolate and orange!

Chocolate and Orange Cake
2 from 1 vote

Chocolate and Orange Cake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Orange and chocolate really unite in this fun and super tasty Chocolate and Orange Cake! Two layers of chocolate cake sandwich a light and citrus orange cake which is then layered with a creamy orange buttercream frosting.

Ingredients

Cakes

  • 1/2 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 2/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp. McCormick vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda + 1/8 teaspoon divided
  • 1 cup buttermilk + 3 tablespoons divided
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp. orange zest
  • 1/4 tsp. McCormick orange extract

Buttercream

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 6 cups confectioners sugar, divided
  • 2 tsp. freshly grated orange peel
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons milk, room temperature

Instructions

Cakes

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 8" round baking pans with parchment paper, set aside.
  • Stir together cocoa and water in small bowl until smooth, set aside. Beat together your butter, shortening, sugar, salt and vanilla in large bowl until well combined.
  • Add eggs mixing well.
  • Stir 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda into 1 cup buttermilk and add to butter mixture alternately with flour.
  • (ORANGE CAKE) Measure 1 2/3 cups batter into a small bowl and stir in remaining 1/8 teaspoon baking soda and 3 tablespoons buttermilk, orange peel, and orange extract.
  • Pour into one of your prepared pans.
  • (CHOCOLATE CAKE) Stir cocoa mixture into remaining batter and divide evenly between remaining pans.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Buttercream

  • Beat butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, orange peel and vanilla in large bowl until smooth.
  • Add remaining powdered sugar, alternating with milk.
  • Place one chocolate layer on cake stand or turntable and spread with some of the buttercream.
  • Top with orange layer; spread with frosting.
  • Top with remaining chocolate layer; frost top and sides of cake.

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Recipe and Photography by Tornadough Alli.

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

Reader Comments

  1. I really like orange and chocolate flavors together. Is this only 1/4 cup butter for the frosting? I have never seen such a small amount with this much powdered sugar.

  2. I was wondering the same as another woman asking about the small amount of butter. Only 1/4 cup is a very small amount for buttercream icing.

  3. Nice cake over all but the buttercream recipe is overly sweet and has a bad sugar:butter ratio.
    A b**ch to ice well.

    1. Thanks for the feedback! I have not tested this recipe in 6 years so this is a good reminder to do that. I will let you know if any changes are made!

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