Indulge your senses with a show-stopping dessert that will leave your guests in awe—the Orange Chocolate Mirror Cake! This French-inspired masterpiece combines the rich decadence of dark chocolate with the zesty brightness of fresh oranges, creating a flavor explosion that’s simply irresistible. With its stunning mirror glaze and luscious ganache, this cake is not just a treat for the palate but a feast for the eyes as well. Ready to elevate your baking game? Follow along as we guide you through the steps to create this jaw-dropping dessert that’s perfect for any occasion!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 60 mins
Total Time: 90 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until a smooth cake batter forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and spread evenly. Tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the chocolate ganache, heat heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over chopped dark chocolate.
- Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth and glossy. Allow to cool and slightly thicken.
- Once the cake is completely cool, pour the ganache over the cake, ensuring an even, smooth coverage.
- Prepare the orange mirror glaze by reducing orange juice in a saucepan until slightly thickened.
- Carefully pour the orange glaze over the chocolate ganache, creating a beautiful mirror-like finish.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to set the glaze and allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly. Garnish with orange zest or chocolate shavings if desired.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can prepare the cake layers a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Just make sure to wrap them well to keep them fresh!
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, buttermilk, and any other refrigerated ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and a fluffier cake.
- Sift Your Dry Ingredients: Sifting the flour and cocoa powder not only removes lumps but also aerates the mixture, leading to a lighter cake.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
- Check for Doneness: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cake during the last few minutes of baking. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely before pouring the ganache on top to prevent it from melting and losing its shape.
- Perfect Ganache: For a silky smooth ganache, let the cream simmer gently and pour it over the chocolate without stirring until it has melted. This will ensure a glossy finish.
- Achieve a Flawless Mirror Glaze: When making the orange glaze, allow it to cool slightly before pouring it over the ganache. This will help maintain the layers and create that stunning mirror effect.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerating the cake for at least 2 hours not only helps the glaze set but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Garnish Creatively: Elevate the presentation with fresh orange zest or chocolate shavings on top for an extra touch of elegance!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 95mg
