Description
Rich chocolate and zesty orange blend harmoniously in this irresistible chocolate orange loaf cake, creating a dessert that promises pure indulgence. Moist crumb and intense flavors make each slice a delightful journey through complementary taste sensations you’ll savor to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (354 ml) all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
Liquid Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) buttermilk
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup (85 g) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk sugar and vegetable oil until smooth and well-integrated. Incorporate eggs individually, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a uniform mixture.
- Infuse the wet mixture with vibrant orange essence by adding vanilla extract, freshly grated orange zest, pure orange juice, and creamy buttermilk. Stir until completely blended.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using a spatula to combine until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cake texture.
- Delicately introduce chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout for consistent flavor and texture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure an even distribution.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, rotating midway through cooking. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove from oven and let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize its structure.
- Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire cooling rack, allowing it to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a microplane or fine grater to extract maximum orange flavor without the bitter white pith.
- Adding buttermilk creates a tender, soft crumb that stays deliciously moist for days.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate chips for a richer, more intense chocolate experience.
- Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make this cake suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 198
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 146 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg