Hey everyone!
Well, I’m in Minneapolis now spending some time with my sister before we head back home and I have one last fabulous guest post for you! Oh man, I wish I could have a bite of this cake! It’s from Connie from URBAN BAKES. I just guest posted for Connie while she was away on vacation and now she’s doing me the favor! In case you missed that post, here’s more about Connie. We met back in May at BlogHer in Miami. Connie is truly talented, passionate about what she does and is spunky! I love her spirit and her crazy amazing, beautiful cakes, blondies, tarts, cupcakes, frozen treats like this lemon cherry sorbet (this one is gorgeous!) and the list goes on. Connie can bake, yo.
So, if you’re ever in need of a fabulous baked dessert, you must visit Connie’s blog and follow her on social media!! Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+
Here’s Connie!!
Hi there Hip Foodie Mom readers! I’m Connie a chocoholic New Yorker and blogger of URBAN BAKES and I’m thrilled to be here guest posting for Alice while she’s on a much needed vacation. As my blog name implies, I bake… A LOT! From breakfast to desserts, I get great satisfaction transforming what I’ve made from scratch into something beautiful right from the oven. I only wish I was half as good as a cook as Alice is! She’s got skills!
I was introduced to Alice’s blog through a mutual friend a little less than a year ago and have been glued ever since. Plus, I was lucky enough to meet her in person at the BlogHer Food event earlier this year. She is one smart, beautiful, selfless gal; always giving a helping hand when she can. I’m so happy to be able to call her a friend therefore, I baked her a cake.
I really don’t know what in this world cannot possibly go well with chocolate. Maybe I have a biased opinion here but I do think orange with chocolate is an amazing combination. While this tender cake is full of rich chocolaty goodness the orange citrus is light in flavor yet remains detectable giving the cake depth of flavor. Pour ganache over the top and garnish with twisted orange peel and you’ve got yourself one of the easiest cakes sure to impress your friends and family. I hope you enjoy it!
Chocolate Orange Cake from URBAN BAKES
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate chopped
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons grated orange peel or 1 teaspoon of orange emulsion
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the ganache:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon orange emulsion optional
- ¼ cup fresh orange peel optional
Instructions
For the cake:
- In a small bowl, melt baking chocolate in microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds, stir. Microwave for an additional 15 seconds until about 75 percent of chocolate has melted. Continuously stir until smooth; set aside to cool.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour a 12-cup fluted tube cake pan; set aside.
- In large bowl, cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate, sour cream, orange peel (or emulsion), vanilla and eggs until just combined.
- On low speed, beat in remaining cake ingredients. Note: You may notice batter may be more airy than most cake batters, this is okay. Spread evenly into pan.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Leave cake to cool in the tube pan for 20 minutes, remove and allow additional cooling for about 1 hour.
For the ganache:
- Meanwhile in a small saucepan set on medium heat, melt 1 cup chocolate chips. Stir in cream. Whisk mixture until ganache is smooth and uniform in color.
- Remove from heat. Stir in orange emulsion.
- Once cake has cooled, drizzle ganache over the top and allow it to drip down the sides. Garnish with fresh orange peel. ENJOY!
Chocolate-Orange Cake recipe was adapted from (p. 86) of Betty Crocker: The Big Book of Cakes.
Thank you so much, Connie for this guest post!! See you soon!!
What an absolutely gorgeous cake! The orange and chocolate are a perfect combination.
yup, total perfection!! Thanks, J!!
Oh what a beautful cake!! Love the combination of chocolate and orange!!!
Hey Zainab! yes, agreed! Connie made one beautiful cake!! 🙂 I need a slice right now!
What a gorgeous cake!!! Love orange and chocolate combination.. 🙂
Hello Arpita! yes, I agree .. chocolate + orange is one of my favorite combinations!
Wow this is just so gorgeous. I love the contrast the orange twists have!
Hi Jolena, I know. . Connie did great here!! This cake is a thing of beauty!
Can’t beat orange and chocolate. This looks so good. I love the orange curls on the top!
Hi Liz, I know, right?! I love additions and decorative garnishes like this. . so pretty!!!
Thank you SO much for having me here. I know I’ve said this several times but I’m going to say it again. You’ve truly been an amazing friend in the short time I’ve known you and have helped me with so much. Thanks for everything and for you, being you! Can’t wait to hang out with you and the rest of our little gang in Sept. xoxox
Thank you, Connie!! I’m so happy life and blogging brought us together!! Can’t wait to see you and everyone next month!
I’m a choc orange fiend too! Looks so delicious & simply perfect for the weekend. Love that sticky glaze too, a delicious guest post!
This cake looks amazing. I agree there aren’t too many things that don’t go with chocolate.
Alice I hope you are having a great stay in Minnesota, visiting your sister. I have lived in Minnesota most of my life.
This cake is beautiful! Love the chocolate and orange combo! The orange peel curls are so pretty! Have a great time in Minneapolis 🙂
Orange and chocolate is such a wonderful combination, especially in chocolate cake form! Have a blast with your family in the Twin Cities!
Thanks so much, Erin!!! We’re having a great time!
Oh, my, Connie, this is one spectacular cake! The orange zest garnish is just the perfect way to finish this beauty off. Alice, hope you are having fun!!! xo
Thanks so much, Liz!!! yes, isn’t this a stunner? We’re having a great time but ready to get home!
wow.. this is a seriously good looking bundt cake! i definitely could devour a slice right now…
So pretty! I love chocolate and orange together, it’s one of my favorite flavor combos.
Beautiful and delicious!
G O R G E O U S !!!!!!! WOwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwW. I adore Orange & Chocolate.
I’m in Duluth…Not far from Minneapolis.
Have fun w/ your sister! xx
Connie outdid herself here, huh? Thank you for the visit!!! and thank you. . already back home and had a great time in Minneapolis as always!
This cake is stunning!! I can only imagine how delicious it tasted! 🙂
Look delicious