Zesty Chocolate Orange Bundt

This Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake is the perfect way to celebrate citrus season! It’s deliciously decadent and surprisingly easy to make.

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Embrace Citrus Season with a Decadent Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, a vibrant wave of citrus floods our markets. There’s no better way to celebrate the abundance of the citrus season than with a dessert that perfectly balances rich flavors with bright, refreshing notes. This Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake is a testament to that balance – a deeply chocolatey creation infused with the unmistakable zest and juice of fresh oranges. It’s an easy-to-follow recipe that promises a show-stopping dessert for any occasion.

Bundt cakes, with their distinctive fluted designs, always make a grand impression without demanding excessive effort. The beauty of a bundt pan lies in its ability to transform a simple batter into an elegant masterpiece. The secret to a perfect release every time? Generously spraying your pan with a nonstick baking spray that contains flour – truly, no skimping here! This ensures your cake emerges flawlessly, ready to be admired and devoured.

A Taste of Florida: The Inspiration Behind This Bundt

Currently, my husband, Tom, and I are enjoying the sunny warmth of Naples, Florida. We escaped the colder northern climate for the winter, and it was an easy decision given that my mother, older sister, and her family reside here. Florida’s sunny disposition isn’t just a treat for us, but it’s also a thriving hub for some of the world’s best citrus, making it the perfect setting to dive headfirst into citrus season celebrations.

The abundance of fresh, ripe oranges here is simply inspiring. From December through May, Florida’s groves are bursting with the largest quantities of oranges, making this the prime time to enjoy them in all their glory. Florida is, indeed, globally renowned for its citrus, contributing the majority of citrus fruits grown in the United States. The quality and flavor of these local oranges are unparalleled, and they truly elevate this cake to another level.

Why the Navel Orange Shines in This Recipe

When it came to crafting the first citrus season recipe from our sunny retreat, I knew it had to feature Florida’s finest: the navel orange. These oranges are celebrated for their sweetness, juiciness, and easily zested peel, making them ideal for baking. This Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake truly showcases their brilliance, delivering a moist, tender crumb rich with chocolate and a distinct, vibrant orange flavor that will captivate your taste buds.

Baking a bundt cake is one of the most rewarding experiences in the kitchen. Despite their intricate appearance, most bundts require less than 15 minutes of active preparation time and typically bake in about an hour. The result is always a stunning centerpiece that looks like it took hours of intricate work, when in fact, it’s a relatively simple process. This makes them perfect for busy hosts or anyone looking to impress with minimal fuss.

The Irresistible Harmony of Chocolate and Orange

The magic in this bundt cake lies in its exquisite flavor combination: deep, dark chocolate meeting the bright, tangy notes of fresh orange. This classic pairing is a symphony of flavors that many adore, and for good reason. The recipe calls for both freshly squeezed orange juice, which contributes moisture and a natural sweetness, and freshly grated orange zest, which provides an intense, aromatic burst of citrus oil. Together, they create a bundt loaded with truly fabulous orange flavor that perfectly complements the rich chocolate base.

If you’ve never experienced the delightful pairing of chocolate and orange, this bundt cake is the perfect introduction. The way the bitterness of cocoa melds with the sweet acidity of the orange creates a sophisticated and comforting taste profile that is simply irresistible. I’m confident you’ll find it incredibly satisfying.

This cake isn’t just for citrus season; it also makes an absolutely perfect treat for your special Valentine. Its rich flavors and elegant presentation are sure to convey warmth and affection. Enjoy every single delicious bite!

Essential Tips for a Flawless Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

Achieving a perfect bundt cake is simpler than you might think, especially with a few tried-and-true techniques:

Pan Preparation is Key: I cannot emphasize this enough – you must generously spray your bundt pan with a nonstick baking spray that contains flour. This creates a release layer that prevents sticking and preserves the intricate details of your bundt pan. Without this crucial step, you risk a cake stuck in its beautiful mold, and nobody wants that!
Quality Pan Matters: For this recipe, I used my Nordic Ware Bavaria Bundt Pan. It’s a 10-cup pan, and its robust construction and nonstick properties worked perfectly. Investing in a good quality bundt pan will make a significant difference in your baking results.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly, incorporating more air into the batter, which results in a lighter, fluffier cake texture.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dry cake. A light hand is best for a tender crumb.
Cooling Patience: After baking, let your bundt cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows the cake to firm up slightly, making it less prone to breaking when inverted. Then, gently remove it and let it cool completely on a wire rack before glazing or serving.

By following these simple notes, you’ll be well on your way to baking a stunning and delicious Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake every time.

Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

Author:
MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings:
10 servings

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This Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake is the perfect way to celebrate citrus season! It’s deliciously decadent!

Prep Time
20 mins

Cook Time
55 mins

Total Time
1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
2 Tbsp. freshly grated orange zest

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Generously spray a 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick baking spray with flour. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour mixture in 3 separate additions, alternating with the orange juice, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Gently fold in the orange zest until just combined.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Lightly tap the bundt pan on the counter a few times to release any trapped air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine), approximately 50-55 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully inverting onto a wire rack. Let the cake cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Keyword: bundt cake, chocolate orange cake

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share! If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!