Sometimes, easy can be delicious! This Chocolate Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a wonderful combination of flavors!
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.
Ingredients for Chocolate Orange Cake
- Dark Chocolate Cake Mix
- Eggs
- Butter
- Milk
- Orange Extract
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.
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. Who doesn’t?
If you haven’t tried this flavor combo, I encourage to do so. The orange is not overpowering and the rich chocolate flavors come through.

Chocolate Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A delicious blend of chocolate and orange flavors in a moist cake with frosting.
Ingredients
- 1 Box Devil's Food Cake Mix
- 2 Eggs
- 3/4 Cup Milk
- 1/2 Cup Butter (melted)
- 2 tbsp Orange Extract
Frosting
- 1/2 Cup Butter (softened)
- 8 Oz Cream Cheese (softened)
- 5 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Orange Extract
- 1 1/2 Cups Cocoa (sifted)
- 1/3 Cup Milk as needed for consistency
Instructions
-
Pre heat over to 350
Prepare two 9" cake pans with non-stick spray.
Combine cake mix, eggs, milk, melted butter in mixing bowl. melted chocolate, and vanilla extract in large mixing bowl.
Beat on low for 30 seconds.
Add cocoa and extract. Increase speed to medium and continue beating for 2 minutes.
Spoon batter evenly into the two cake pans.
Bake for 25 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. If toothpick doesn't come out cleanly, continue baking for 3 minutes. Check again.
Allow cake to cool for 5-10 minutes in pans.
Remove cake from pans onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
For Cream Cheese Frosting
-
Cream butter and cream cheese with electric mixer.
Sift cocoa powder and add to mixture. Beat until it's incorporated.
Alternately add powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency is reached, beating between each addition. Add orange extract and mix to blend.
Generously frost the bottom layer of cake. Place second layer on top and frost with remaining frosting.
My husband has been asking for this again since his birthday. That’s always my way of knowing for sure if a new recipe is a hit!
Pin Me, Please!
Helen Fern says
my mouth is watering!! Thanks for sharing on the “What’s for Dinner” link party!
Beverly says
Thanks, Helen and thanks for the party!
Frugal Hausfrau says
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
Beverly says
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.
Kathleen says
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.
Beverly says
Thanks, Kathleen! It was a good choice.
Laurie says
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 🙂
Beverly says
I was pleasantly surprised! It’s work a try! Thanks, Laurie!
Beverly says
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. 🙂
Gail @Purple Hues and Me says
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!
Beverly says
Thanks, Gail! I wasn’t sure about the extract, but it worked out well. He was!
Sherry says
I love the combination of chocolate and orange!
Beverly says
It’s a unique taste! I like it much better than I expected to.
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
I love the combination of orange and chocolate. your cake looks and sounds delicious.
Beverly says
It’s growing on me! My husband loves it. Thanks, Sharon.