Orange Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• Cake Layers:
  • 2⅔ cups (343 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 g) sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice + 2 Tbsp orange zest
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup vegetable oil or buttermilk
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt
• Chocolate–Orange Frosting/Ganache:
  • 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temp
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, plus more if needed
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 Tbsp orange zest + 1 tsp orange extract
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Optional: dark chocolate for ganache drizzle

Directions

1. Prep & Bake
   Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease & line 3 × 8″ round pans. In a large bowl, cream butter & sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time, then oil (or buttermilk), vanilla, orange juice, and zest. Mix dry ingredients separately, then alternate adding dry mix and cream. Divide batter among pans, bake ~30–35 min until a skewer comes out clean .
2. Make Frosting
   Beat butter until pale. Add powdered sugar, cocoa, orange zest, extract, and cream. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
3. Assemble
   Level cakes if needed. Spread frosting between layers and over top/sides. Chill briefly to set.
4. Finish (Optional)
   Warm chopped dark chocolate with cream for ganache, then pour over the top, letting it drip down the sides