This rich, moist chocolate cake gets a bright, sophisticated upgrade with fresh orange zest and juice. The combination of deep cocoa flavor and citrusy aroma creates a perfectly balanced dessert that’s easy to make yet impressive enough for any occasion!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Ultra-moist crumb – Thanks to Greek yogurt & orange juice
✅ Sophisticated flavor – Chocolate + orange = match made in heaven
✅ One-bowl simplicity – Minimal cleanup required
✅ Versatile – Enjoy as-is or dress it up with ganache
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process preferred)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (about 1 tbsp)
Liquids & Add-Ins:
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream Butter & Sugars
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (~3 mins).
4. Incorporate Wet Ingredients
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Mix in vanilla and orange zest.
5. Alternate Liquids & Dry Ingredients
- Add orange juice and Greek yogurt, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually fold in dry ingredients until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Gently stir in chocolate chips (if using).
6. Bake to Perfection
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Serving Suggestions
🍊 Dust with powdered sugar for simple elegance
🍫 Drizzle with chocolate ganache for extra decadence
🥛 Pair with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
FAQs
1. Can I make this gluten-free?
✅ Yes! Substitute with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
2. How do I store leftovers?
- Room temp: 2 days (covered)
- Fridge: Up to 5 days
- Freeze: Up to 3 months (wrap tightly)
3. Can I use bottled orange juice?
❌ Fresh is best for flavor, but in a pinch, use high-quality pulp-free OJ.
4. Why did my cake sink?
- Overmixing batter
- Opened oven door too early
- Old baking powder/soda
5. Can I make cupcakes?
✅ Yes! Bake at same temp for 18-22 minutes.
Nutritional Info (Per Slice)
| Calories | 310 kcal |
| Carbs | 42g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 14g |
Chef’s Tips
✨ Zest the orange first before juicing
✨ Room temp ingredients ensure even mixing
✨ Don’t skip the chocolate chips – they create molten pockets of joy
Final Thoughts
This chocolate orange cake is the perfect balance of rich and refreshing – sophisticated enough for dinner parties but easy enough for weekend baking. The citrus brightens the deep chocolate flavor in a way that will have everyone asking for seconds!
What’s your favorite chocolate pairing? Let us know in the comments! 👇
Happy Baking! 🎉🍰
