Sometimes, easy can be delicious! My husband loves the combination of chocolate and orange. It’s not a combo that I’d ever really given any thought to until I listened to him rave about it. At his urging I tried a taste of dark chocolate and orange candy a few years ago. It was surprisingly not bad. I didn’t fall in love with it, but I was no longer skeptical that these two flavors do go pretty well together.
For his birthday, I decided to make an orange chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. If you don’t like to use boxed cake mixes, then this isn’t for you. I’m not at all against using a mix. Certain cakes are not nearly the same from a mix as from scratch, but others can be great. So, for this cake, I used a Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix and it was great.
I was worried that adding orange zest and orange juice called for in most recipes for orange chocolate cakes might interfere with the consistency of the boxed mix batter, so I decided to simply use orange extract. After mixing the batter, I added 1 tablespoon of extract to the mix and blended it well. The cake came out just right.
Directions:
- Combine ingredients as called for on the cake mix directions
- After fully mixed, add 1 TBS orange extract
- Blend well on low speed
While using a boxed mix for the cake is something I’ll frequently do, I very much prefer to make my own frosting. To me, canned frosting cannot match the taste of made from scratch cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients:
- 1 eight ounce package of cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup of butter (not margarine)
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 5-6 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
Directions:
Beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed for two minutes.
Add the orange extract and beat for one minute
Reduce speed to low and add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time
After all the sugar has been added, add cocoa and continue beating on medium until it reaches desired consistency.
If the frosting appears too thick you can add a small amount of milk to the mixture.
When combined with the cake, the frosting gave the perfect amount of orange flavor. My husband was very happy with it and that was the goal!
I like to use a generous amount of frosting on cakes.
Mmmmmmm! Easy and delicious!
My husband has been asking for this again since his birthday! That’s always my way of knowing if something is a hit!
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Orange Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
my mouth is watering!! Thanks for sharing on the “What’s for Dinner” link party!
Thanks, Helen and thanks for the party!
This is one scrumptious looking cake! That frosting. Drool! Thanks from all of us at Throwback Thursday for linking up to us this week! We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring next week. 🙂
Mollie
Thanks! It’s been a while since I’ve made one of these cakes. I think it’s about time for one. Thanks for hosting a great party each week, Mollie.
Oh my, your husband knows. Good that you listened. The cake looks amazing and moist and then the frosting. I hope it was a very happy birthday.
Thanks, Kathleen! It was a good choice.
you know those orange shaped chocolates you can get during the holidays? YUMMMMMM!! Thanks for this super easy orange chocolate cake recipe! I can’t wait to try this myself! Let me know next time you are baking, I will run down and taste test for you!
Yes, I know those. My husband loves all kinds of orange/chocolate candies. I hope you enjoy the cake when you make it. I’ll save you a piece next time. 🙂
I have to admit I have never tried the orange/chocolate combination before and I’m thinking now I should give it a try. Your cake looks beautiful and I’m glad your husband enjoyed it! Pinning and sharing 🙂
I was pleasantly surprised! It’s work a try! Thanks, Laurie!
That’s a brilliant idea to use orange extract, Beverly! I probably would have tried orange juice in place of liquids and ruin it! Lol! This looks so delicious and I’m sure your hubby is so grateful you created a favorite of his!
Thanks, Gail! I wasn’t sure about the extract, but it worked out well. He was!
I love the combination of chocolate and orange!
It’s a unique taste! I like it much better than I expected to.
I love the combination of orange and chocolate. your cake looks and sounds delicious.
It’s growing on me! My husband loves it. Thanks, Sharon.