Barefoot Contessa Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake

Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake by Ina Gartenby Ina Garten
from Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Parties That Are Really Fun
(Clarkson Potter, 2001)
Makes one 10-inch Bundt cake

For years Barefoot Contessa has been making a wonderful orange pound cake that is moist and flavorful. When my friend Anna Pump at Loaves and Fishes added chocolate to her orange cake, I thought it was such a good idea that I borrowed it and added chocolate chunks to ours. The combination of tart, citrusy orange with sweet chocolate has been a big hit.—Ina Garten

convert Ingredients
For the cake
1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1/4 cup grated orange zest (4 large oranges)
3 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
3/4 cup buttermilk at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups good semisweet chocolate chunks

For the syrup
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

For the ganache
8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Barefoot Contessa Parties! by Ina Garten

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Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.

2. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, then the orange zest.

3. Sift together 3 cups flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine the orange juice, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately in thirds to the creamed butter, beginning and ending with the flour. Toss the chocolate chunks with 2 tablespoons flour and add to the batter. Pour into the pan, smooth the top, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, make the syrup. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the sugar with the orange juice until the sugar dissolves. Remove the cake from the pan, set it on a rack over a tray, and spoon the orange syrup over the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely.

5. For the ganache, melt the chocolate, heavy cream, and coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over the top of the cake.

Recipe © 2001 Ina Garten. All rights reserved.

Comments
Comments
  1. Testers Choice says:

    [Ayanna F.] I have not made many recipes with an orange and chocolate combination, but I’ve tried other Ina Garten recipes that were good, and this one didn’t disappoint. This cake is easy to prepare, very moist, and the orange flavor produced by the zest and the addition of the orange sugar glaze was just right. Although the cake is good alone, the addition of the ganache makes for a nice presentation and a really decadent dessert. The recipe calls for “good” semi-sweet chocolate chips. I used Nestle’s semi-sweet chips and think it turned out well, but I am sure “good” chocolate would be even better. I think these would make some cute cupcakes as well, perhaps I’ll try that next time.

  2. Kirsten says:

    Personally, I’m not a huge fan of orange chocolate, but I made this for my sister-in-law, because she does, and quickly fell in love! This cake is AMAZING!! It’s super moist and just plain wonderful. At times the ganache can be a little too much, but, all in all, the cake is fantastic. I have made this cake several times since and have yet to find anyone who did not love it.

  3. ben says:

    I made this, and I loved it; it was great.

    • David Leite says:

      I too love this recipe Ben. Should we let the world know or keep it between us? The Contessa knows her baking.

  4. Esther says:

    I agree! This is a great cake. I made it without the ganache and it still tasted wonderful. Simple cakes are really best. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Ajanta says:

    I just made it for my best friend’s baby shower and she loved it !!! so rewarding…

    • Lindsay Myers, LC Social Media Intern says:

      Ajanta, what a wonderful gift for your friend. Thanks for letting us know how you shared this cake.

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