Chocolate and orange is one of my favorite combinations, where rich sweetness and tanginess are in a timeless marriage. I’ve wanted to capture these flavors in a cake forever now, since I started baking, and I’m glad I finally got around to it.
There are two ways to go about the recipe I chose. One way would be to execute it like any other marble cake – prep the batter, divide into two adding cocoa to one part and then alternating the batters to yield a marble effect. I originally did want to just stick to this method but I took a slightly different route and came up with astonishing results…
In my little adaptation, I skipped dividing the batters to avoid the use of cocoa altogether and used a chocolate orange spread instead. Only the method of pouring into the pan changes slightly. Layer the prepared pan with half the batter, top with spread followed by the balance batter and give it a little swirl to create the marble effect. The one aspect you need to be careful about is that the spread shouldn’t touch the edge of the pan so that it doesn’t burn or sticks to it.
The spread turned out perfect with its Nutella-like consistency. It does not overpower in taste or change the texture drastically. You can give it a whiz in the microwave to make it of spreadable consistency.
And if you have an issue taking out your bundt cake from the pan, here’s my earlier post on this exact problem: solved in 3 easy steps for you to produce a pretty cake.
Over to the recipe: A rich, dense, marbled and devilishly delicious cake that is moist and a feast for all your senses.
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3½ cups cake flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sour cream
- ½ teaspoon orange extract
- zest of 1 large orange
- chocolate orange spread
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Generously grease and flour a 12 cup Bundt pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla.
- Reduce speed to low, add half of flour mixture and sour cream alternatively starting and finishing with the flour mixture and mix until smooth.
- Add the orange zest and orange extract and mix until incorporated.
- Pour ½ the batter into the prepared bundt pan, then generously add dollops of the chocolate orange spread, pour the remaining batter. Give it a little swirl using the tip of a knife.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes or until cake is springy to the touch and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean
- Remove from oven and cool cake in the pan for 30 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
Happy Baking!
i love chocolate and orange together! i’ve never had it in a bundt cake form, sounds incredible! and i have never seen a chocolate orange spread like that, i would be eating that stuff right from the jar!
Oh I was tempted too but then I decided to behave and share a recipe with everyone! ;)
Great flavour combination! I don’t think I’ve ever seen chocolate orange spread before…need to be on the lookout for it!
Thanks Asiya! :)
I’ve never seen chocolate orange spread but it sounds simply divine in this bundt cake!
This looks and sounds absolutely DIVINE!! Where does one purchase orange chocolate spread? Could we sub a marmalade and say Nutella instead?
Absolutely! Switch it up with any spread you like. We found this at Morrisons. :)
Your bundt cake images look delicious!
It looks incredible! I wish we had a picture of the inside … then we´d be drooling
Thanks Paula! I did have a couple of pictures that showed off those luscious swirls but really wasn’t so happy with the shots and chose to take it off the post. :)
I agree with Paula here, I wanted to see how it looks from inside. On the other note I always drool looking at all your pictures.
Checked your trouble shooting part and I like the idea of resting the cake on steaming towel.
uh, hello gorgeous! YUM! I love the adaptation with the spread. Spot on delicious.
What a pretty cake. I love the combination of orange and chocolate so this would be a winner at my table.
Now you have left me to search that chocolate orange spread , I have never seen that. I bet that taste yum!!
And look at this bundt cake.. Beautiful!!
Thanks Reem! This was from Morrisons. :)
Oh, heavenly! A terrific flavor combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
The bundt cake looks splendid! Love the combo of flavours.
Yummmm… I love a good chocolate and orange combo…
What a delicious flavor profile! Thanks for sharing! Wish I had a piece on this rainy Florida Panhandle morning!
Chocolate orange spread? I didn’t know such a thing existed. I’m so jealous that you have access to such a delicious spread.
As always, your cake looks beautiful. Now, if only you lived close enough…
I’ve never seen chocolate orange spread! I bet it’s amazing – that is one of the BEST flavor combinations. Love the looks of this cake – it looks so moist!
i am with you about chocolate and orange..i love that combination and now you tell me there is something called a chocolate orange paste that exists in this world… where has it been hiding all my life!!! and love the bundt cake.. its that time of the day when i could do with a piece!! its really come out well!!
Oh what a delicious surprise in each slice! Such a pretty cake!!!
Fantastic results! I completely agree with your assessment of the chocolate/orange flavor duo – I’m thrilled you’ve finally captured its essence!
Love the flavors, I’m a sucker for a bundt cake…can only imagine how delicious this is!
This cake does look gorgeous. I have never had chocolate orange sauce before but I would certainly love it. Did you heat it up before pouring into the cake? Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
This is gorgeous! Yum!
Okay, so, confession – chocolate and orange together is not a combo I love. But it’s one of my husband’s favorites. So I’m thinking if I were to make this recipe, but bake it in a mini bundt pan, I could freeze most of the cakes for him to have whenever he wants. Great for both of us!
The cake looks wonderful.
This cake I’d beautiful! I’ve never heard of chocolate orange spread but that sounds insanely good!
I think you achieved your goal! I love a good bundt, and I’m totally with you on the orange/chocolate combo.
Such a great combo chocolate and orange!You’ve captured the flavors beautifully in this gorgeous cake :)
This is such a stunner of a cake my friend, it is actually exquisite :D
Great flavours too!
Cheers
CCU
you had me at orange and chocolate! I love that combo just as much as my new fav- lime and chocolate! Anyway- bundt cakes are awesome for their ease and how moist they keep! I love this one and sticking it in my to do box
What a lovely flavor combination!! I think orange and chocolate are perfect together! Have a wonderful weekend!
Oooh this looks delicious, perfect for a summer tea.
I guess I’ve never really had the orange chocolate combination much, but you’ve definitely convinced me that it’s a good one!!!! Gorgeous, simply gorgeous bundt cake! Good call on the spread from what I can see!
Come to mama!!
This is a fabulous recipe. You definitely hit the mark with the combination of flavors. Plus, this is an easy recipe to follow. I’m going to enjoy making this one.
I’m a big fan of chocolate and orange together, now I just need to find that chocolate orange spread your used!
Hey Slyvie! We found this at Morrisons. :)
I haven’t seen a spread like this before but it looks delicious. Just like your cake. My mother in law would love a slice too.
chocolate orange spread!? I must have this.
I love bundts, and yours are always stunning!
Oh my, this cake sounds delicious! What a great idea, placing the hot towel over the cake. I knew steps 1 and 2, but that doesn’t always work. Now I’ll be using step 3 too. Thanks for sharing!
This cake looks like something out of a dream! I agree with Kristina: it’s stunning!
devilishly delicious cake ~ Indeed!! love it!
This looks like absolute perfection! And I really need to find me that chocolate orange spread! I think I could eat it with only a spoon :)
Chocolate and orange is such a wonderful combo – I’m always adding orange liqueur to any and all chocolate desserts. Nice recipe, lovely photos – thank you.
Lovely bundt, and it sounds delicious! Chocolate and orange would be awesome together in a cake like this :)! I have never heard of chocolate orange spread, but it definately sounds like it is something worth seeking out!
The first time i had a chocolate and orango combo was in a cookie…it was delicious! Ever since, i have been hooked… This cake is right up my alley… I already know i would love the flavor and that chocolate orange spread sounds very exciting. I will probably be spreading it on anything and everything…lol
I’ve never heard of chocolate/orange spread, now I’m curious. Your cake looks fabulousS
So pretty!! Love anything with chocolate and orange.
Nice combination. I hove bundt cakes.
Lovely cake wonderful combination.
Every bundt cake you make is simply addition to your beautiful collection! This is another winner – chocolate and orange is a perfect match. I need these (big) slices to make myself feel a little better especially summer has been such a chaotic schedule!
I’m also a big fan of orange and chocolate. I haven’t thought to put it into desserts, I just eat lots of those chocolate oranges at christmastime! :)
I will not say much about chocs but orange flavors is one I simply love. Beautifully baked, spongy and wonderful.
I’ve never had chocolate orange spread, but I imagine it must be just heavenly!
What a yummy looking cake. Great idea!
Thank you so much for sharing this and your notes! I agree that these are definitely two flavors I would LOVE to combine!
I love chocolate and orange together, they compliment each other beautifully! This looks lovely, Hugs, Terra
Oooh I wish you had given us a peep inside… I love the orange-chocolate combination, it is one of the best! This cake is definitely now on my to-bake list!
i really like pairing fruit with chocolate. your bundt cake came out perfect. looks really moist.
Orange and chocolate are such a great flavor combination. So I can only imagine how great this cake tastes!
Where do you get Chocolate Orange Spread? I would like to make this cake!
Thanks,
Judy Parker
Hey Judy! We found a bottle at Morrisons! :)
WOW looks great and I agree orange and chocollate is one of my favourite combinations too :)