I was finishing off Sally's Lemon Butter Cake when it occurred to me, if it tasted so good and had such a lovely texture, it might make a rather nice chocolate cake. Then the next wave of an idea hit me. Why not orange as well? Nothing for it. I grabbed my wooden spoon so to speak and off I went. I love messing around and experimenting in the kitchen but things don't always work out. I tell myself it's a learning curve. I didn't need to worry this time. The marriage of chocolate and orange was sheer ambrosia. The texture of the cake was light but moist. Intensely chocolatey. Perfect. I know I know, self praise is no recommendation but my resident eating machine agreed completely and as he is my fiercest critic who was I to argue. I hope you'll try it. I think you'll find it worth the short time it takes to throw this cake together.
Chocolate Orange Cake
Ingredients
250g /9 oz Butter or Margarine
250g /9oz Dark brown sugar
200g /7oz S.R Flour plus 1 teaspoon of baking powder or plain flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder (sifted)
50 g / 2oz cocoa powder
3 Eggs (beaten)
2 large tablespoons marmalade
Rind of two oranges and juice of one
Icing
2-3 tablespoons orange juice
2oz icing sugar
A few squares of chocolate melted with a little oil or butter (optional)
Method....
Pre Heat your oven to 180.C/160.C Fan/400.F/Gas 6
Grease and line a shallow baking tray 24 cms x 33 cms/ 13 inches x 9 1/2 inches.
Leave an over hang lengthwise of your lining paper so the cake can be removed from the tin easily.
Melt butter and marmalade in microwave on 50% power or in a large saucepan on the hob.
Stir in sugar, then the flour and cocoa powder, add the eggs, orange zest and juice from the oranges (reserving about three tablespoons of juice for drizzle icing.) stirring well. A whisk is good.
Pour into your prepared tin and bake for approx 20 - 30 minutes until the cake is springy to touch.
Leave in the tin until cold before removing
Sieve the icing sugar and mix with the juice giving a fairly runny icing.
Drizzle over the cake
Melt the chocolate and oil if using and drizzle over.
Cut into squares/fingers
Thank you Sally for setting of this chain of events. x
14 comments:
I love chocolates with orange filling, and I definately do think that this is a very good combination.
Another winner Granny, chocolate and orange really is the perfect combination.
Always great to have a resident eating machine when you are into baking!!
Brenda, this looks scrumptious! I'm all out of cocoa but I'll go and get some ASAP, I have some oranges that need using up - perfect! xxx
Now that sounds right up my street! I'll have a go whenever I get home!
What a cake! This looks delicious. You are brave experimenting as you do, I always play safe! :)
Chocolate and orange are a match made in heaven! This cake looks amazing, deffo a must try!
Maria
x
Orange & Chocolate: the best combination ever!
This looks fabulous - and any chocolate cake is worth a try :)
Wendyywy - Thank you. I am glad to see you here. You are always welcome at my virtual table.
BVG - Everyone should have a resident eating machine. They have their uses LOL :)
Vicky - let me know how it goes. Not much decorating though for a girl of your talent:)
Grannymar - You can use your Pura easily here :)
Lucie - Thank you. I love it. What's the worst can happen...........only a disaster and a great deal of blue air :)
Maria and Manu -I love chocolate and orange. My favourite combo. :)
Alice - You are right. Even the worst chocolate disasters are still chocolate LOL
Granny, this sounds delicious ! Have you tried Nigella's Store Cupboard Chocolate Orange Cake ? If not, I urge you to give it a go: I think you'd like it. Some people who have blogged about it say they found it dry, but I found just the opposite (maybe I was over-generous with the marmalade...) A resident eating machine is just what I lack - means I can't bake anywhere near as often as I'd like to :(
Betterlate - I have indeed tried it and as you say it is gorgeous
http://teandwheatenbread.blogspot.com/2008/04/time-for-cake.html
what a lovely cake !
Your grand children must ADORE you! :) Such great treats.
Like a Terry's Chocolate Orange in cake form. Yum!
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