Decadent Orange and Chocolate Delight
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
2 large oranges (for zest and slices)
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz dark chocolate (chopped)
1 tablespoon orange juice (fresh)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
Gradually add boiling water and continue to mix until the batter is well combined (it will be thin).
Zest one of the oranges and stir the zest into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the frosting, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour over chopped dark chocolate and stir until smooth. Add a tablespoon of orange juice to enhance the flavor, then let it cool slightly.
Once the cakes have cooled, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a thin layer of frosting over the top.
Add the second layer of cake and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
Garnish with fresh orange slices, and optionally, sprinkle with additional orange zest.
Serve and enjoy!
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 500 kcal per slice | Servings: 8 servings
