Say hello to the best eggless chocolate orange cake recipe. This moist chocolate sponge cake is filled and topped with a creamy chocolate and orange frosting and decorated with candied orange slices.
Serve a slice of this cake with my homemade billionaire's latte or authentic indian masala chai for a blissful experience!
Surprised to see a cake recipe in January? Join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of JCO!
If you have already tried our Chocolate and Passion Fruit Semolina Cake or Gilded Chocolate and Caramel Maltesers Ombre cake you'll find this iconic pairing cake hard to resist.
Moist Chocolate Cake
This incredible cake combines the bitterness of chocolate with the sweetness of fresh orange juice. It's gorgeously moist, soft, light and spongy.
I make the silky chocolate orange frosting with full fat cream cheese. The flavour is inspired by one of my all time favourite chocolates - Terry's!
Ingredients
Be sure to check out the full recipe and exact ingredient list below in the recipe card.
- Fresh oranges - best and juicy oranges are available in winter, but if not available use 100 percent pure orange juice.
- Flour - Plain or all-purpose flour or maida.
- Chocolate - unsweetened cocoa powder. I have used dutch-processed cocoa powder as this recipe used baking powder and baking soda.
- Orange oil - this oil adds that zing into your bake. Whatever the orange or citrusy flavours you'll get in this cake, it's because of this ingredient. A tiny amount (30ml) of natural orange oil is prepared from the rind of 220 oranges. If you can't find orange oil, use orange extract or stir in the zest of an orange.
- Milk - whole milk works best as it enhances the richness of the cake.
- Fat - vegetable oil works best to keep the sponge moist and soft.
- Sugar- I use white granulated sugar
- Icing sugar - for the frosting use icing sugar, also known as powdered sugar. I have used decorating icing sugar as this one is suitable for making buttercream.
- Leavening agents - baking powder and baking soda.
- Apple sauce - to replace the eggs, I have used apple sauce to bind the cake. Apple sauce is made with pureed cooked apples.
- Salt - creates balance
- Vanilla extract - go for a good quality one that will enhance the flavour.
- Cream cheese - full-fat plain cheese.
FAQs
- Can I replace the plain flour with wheat flour?
Yes but the cake may not turn out as moist, soft and light. If you are trying this cake for the first time, I would suggest making it with plain flour.
- I don't have apple sauce what else can I use to replace eggs?
Mashed banana, avocado, pumpkin puree or aqufaba works well.
Flax or chia eggs work well too. Take 1 tablespoon ground flax or chia seeds, soak it in 3 tablespoon warm water for 10-15 minutes.
- Can I make only one layer cake by halving the measurements you've given?
Of course, you can. just prepare one layer cake and top it up with frosting or make one layer, and cut the layer across in half using knife, string or flavour-free dental floss. Apply frosting between the two layers and on the top layer too.
- How to make candied orange at home
Wash 2 oranges thoroughly since everything including skin will be consumed, slice them into 4mmthickness.
In a wide mouth pan mix 2 cup sugar and 2 cup water, then place orange slices in a single layer.
Over a medium heat bring it to simmer, and let the oranges simmer in the sugar water for at least 40 minutes or until white pith of the oranges translucent.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper, then place a wire cooling rack over the top. Rub the rack with a little oil.
Gently remove the oranges, place them on a wire rack. Leave it to set and form up for 24-48 hours.
If you wish, sprinkle little sugar on top once they are firm.
Do not discard syrup, simply use in making other recipes.
- Can I freeze the already frosted cake in the freezer?
This cake is freezable but do not wrap the cake in clingfilm as the icing will be squashed unless you have a cake tin that is also suitable for the freezer.
I would recommend, only freeze the sponges. Allow to cool them totally after baking, wrap it up in the clingfilm or put it in the cake tin before freezing.
It stays good for up to 1 month. Defrost thoroughly and bring it room temperature before serving.
Tips
1. Always use fresh and best ingredients to bake a cake, especially baking soda and baking powder.
2.If any doubts, try first by adding a half teaspoon of soda or baking powder in 2-3 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar. if it doesn't bubble up or fizz up, that means that soda or baking powder is gone off.
3. Keep the ingredients at room temperature before using them.
4. Make sure you preheat your oven at the right temperature at least for 15-20 minutes.
5. Be very precise on the measurements, if possible use the kitchen weighing scale, or marked cup and spoons.
6. If possible use good quality cake tins.
7. Don't trim or cut the sponges while they are warm, wait till completely cooled before icing or frosting the cake.
Step By Step Picture Method
MORE EGGLESS CAKE RECIPES TO TRY
If you like this eggless chocolate orange cake recipe, you may want to try my other cake recipes.
eggless ras malai cake - fusion cake prepared with indian dessert ras malai, suitable for birthdays and anniversaries.
eggless strawberry pastel de tres leches - soft, moist and fluffy three milk cake with fresh strawberries. ideal for any garden party or high tea.
toasted coconut layered cake with coconut butter cream - exotic, delicious and unique in flavour. impress your guest with this cake at your next Easter party.
condensed milk cupcakes
pistachio and cardamom eggless cupcakes with saffron cream cheese frosting
📖 Recipe
Eggless Chocolate Orange Cake
Ingredients
Dry ingredients for chocolate orange cake batter
- 2 cups plain flour 260g
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 75g
- 2 cup granulated sugar 450g
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda or soda bicarb
Wet ingredients for chocolate orange cake
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened apple sauce
- ½ cup vegetable oil 120ml
- 1 cup whole milk 250ml
- 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed - 250ml
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange oil or extract
Chocolate Orange Cream cheese frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese 120g plain full fat at room temperature
- 8 tablespoon unsalted butter 96g at room temperature
- 4 tablespoon orange juice 72ml hot
- 2 ½ cup icing sugar 315g - powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 50g
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon orange oil or extract
To finish
- 4-5 candied orange slices
Instructions
Cake batter
- Preheat your oven to gas mark 4 or 350F or 175C.
- Grease the 9″ two cake tins with a generous amount of butter and line with the parchment or baking paper.
- Lightly spray with oil and dust it with cocoa powder.
- In a big mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients and combine well.
- In another bowl, gather all the wet ingredients, whisk or beat for 2 minutes.
- In a saucepan, bring the orange juice to boil.
- Add dry ingredients mixture into the wet mixture.
- Pour HOT orange juice, little by little and mix everything together.
- Pour the cake mixture into the two cake tins and bake it for 1 hour or until the center is done or inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on the wire rack.
- Remove the parchment paper and leave it aside.
Chocolate, orange and cream cheese frosting
- While the cake is cooling down make the frosting by cream the butter and icing sugar together in a bowl using a mixer.
- Add the hot orange juice, cocoa powder, and vanilla, beat with the mixture until well combined.
- Add the cream cheese and beat until smooth.
- Refrigerate the frosting for half an hour if necessary.
Assemble the cake
- Place the first layer of sponge on a cake stand or plate and frost the first layer.
- Stack the second sponge and generously frost the top layer.
- We frosted the whole cake, but if you want you can leave the sides of the cake naked.
- Decorate the cake with candied orange slices.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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kirti says
how to make candid orange at home.thanks
Hayley says
@kirti, please check "How easy to make candied orange at home?" above in the post 🙂
Kithu says
Planning to make this for a birthday cake that need to be covered with fondant.. planing to use butter cream. Just wanted to know will it be ok to be covered with fondant?
Hayley says
@Kithu, I have not tried, but I have seen a chocolate cake covered with fondant. You may try it.
Nishi says
Hi Jagruti, this recipe is very nice. I baked it for a Friend’s birthday and she loved it. Just one question , after adding orange juice to the batter it was really watery consistency, is it suppose to be like that?
jcookingodyssey says
Hello Nishi
Thank you for trying our recipe. Yes the batter does go little runny but not like you described.
Lathiya says
The cake looks awesome. The chocolate and orange are combination made in heaven and loved it.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
Congratulations on your milestone post jagruti!! cake looks so rustic and gorgeous!!!! Chocolate and orange is such a delectable combo!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Congratulations on your 1000th post Jagruti! Chocolate and orange is a flavor made in heaven. It is a complicated flavor and this recipe has nailed it. Beautiful presentation!
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Sandhya.
Padma says
Many congratulations on completing 1000th post....Hats off to this milestone and kudos to your daughter to take it forward!!
Chocolate and oranges is a combination you can never go wrong!! This cake is perfect to celebrate the occasion and it looks super yummy 😋
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Padma.
Bless My Food by PAYAL says
Accept my congratulations on your 1000th post & wishing you many more to create. The cake looks exceptionally beautiful and inviting. Nothing else could be more better to celebrate 1000th post.
jcookingodyssey says
Thanks Payal.
jayashree says
Congrats on 1000th post and 10th blogversary. Lovely cake to celebrate the ocassion and love the flavours here.
jcookingodyssey says
Thanks Jayashree.
Indfused says
Congratulations on your 1000th post and 10 years of blogging. You inspire me with your amazing blog. How nic eto have your daughter join you. Wishing you continued success dear Jagruti!
I absolutely love the chocolate and orange flavor combination in that picture perfect cake!
jcookingodyssey says
Thanks Sandhya!
Mayuri Patel says
A perfect indulgence when you're celebrating a milestone. orange pairs so well with chocolate. Whenever I bake a chocolate cake orange is my choice for flavoring. While I don't get orange oil but tend to add zest. Wishing this foodie family lots more delicious posts with tantalizing photos.
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Mayuri!
Vandana says
Perfect recipe for the 1000th post. It looks so good. I love your photographs. Very well written post, the FAQ section is very helpful. I will try this recipe soon.
jcookingodyssey says
Thanks Vandana, please do share the feedback with us.
Lata Lala says
Many congratulations on completing 1000 th post. That's such a mammoth collection of last 10 year's hard work.
The cake is perfect to celebrate the occasion and it looks super tempting and gorgeous.
Chocolate and oranges makes for a killer combo hai na Jagruti.
Beautiful clicks 👌
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Lata!