Rich Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Orange Glaze


What happens when you forget to review your written recipe? Your good friend follows it religiously and bakes a dry cake because you forget to mention when to add oil in the directions :( 

Lessons learnt, I will make sure to preview and fix things, Sorry! 

Here is a rich chocolate cake recipe that I am going to keep in my recipe box! My kids haven't eaten a cake to crumbs in a while. This one had rave reviews from my mom too! What more can I say, let's get started.


This is going to be a runny batter, but it will cook to perfection. It is also made with 100% percent whole wheat flour. The recipe makes 2 round or square 8 inch cakes.

Ingredients
For the cake:
  • 4 eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 cups dark brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup hot water mixed with 1 tsp instant coffee powder
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vinegar

For the glaze:
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp dark cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice or less

  1. Prep two pans by greasing the inner lining of the pan with butter, then dusting a few tsp of flour over it. Once the butter lining is completely coated with flour, reverse and tap to remove the excess.  Set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven at 180 degree C/350 F, on bake setting ( the lower coil in the oven should heat up).
  3. Combine flour, coco powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda in a bowl. Mix well until combined. Set aside. 
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add eggs, vanilla and brown sugar. Beat well until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is frothy. 
  5. Add the flour mixture to this and gently fold in with a wooden or rubber spatula. 
  6. Add in oil, buttermilk, vinegar, and hot water plus coffee mixture to this. Gently fold in until well combined. 
  7. Pour the mixture into the two prepped pans equally.
  8. Drop the pans on the counter a few times, gently, the pans gently to get rid of air bubbles.
  9. Bake in the oven for 35-38 minutes depending on your oven make.
  10. Pull out the cake and gently insert a skewer stick or toothpick through the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, we are good.
  11. Remove the cakes and cool them completely.
  12. Prepare the glaze, by sifting all the dry ingredients together.
  13. Add warm melted butter and orange juice in little drops and whisk to get a shiny glaze. Depending on how thick or thin you want the glaze, use that orange juice. I used most of the juice for a medium consistency.
  14. Pour it over the cooled cake. Let the glaze roll down the sides. Place it in the fridge to chill and set for about 20 minutes. Once the glaze is completely dry, decorate it with fresh or canned oranges. Enjoy!