Chocolate Orange Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup (220g) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (200g) plain flour
• 6 tbsp milk
• 5 tbsp cocoa powder
• 4 large free-range eggs
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp bicarb of soda
• 2 tsp orange extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2/3 cup (150g) butter (softened)
• 3 cups (400g) powdered icing sugar (confectioner's sugar)
• 6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp water
• Orange zest

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F / 180C. Grease and line 2 x 8”/20cm round cake pans.

2. 2

   Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until combined and pale. Add all the remaining cake ingredients and beat well.

3. 3

   Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and spread to the edges. Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick or skewer comes out clean.

4. 4

   Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

5. 5

   --- For the frosting ---

6. 6

   Beat the ingredients together until fluffy. If it's too runny, add a little more icing sugar. If it's too thick, add a little milk, a tablespoon at a time.

7. 7

   --- To assemble ---

8. 8

   When the cake is completely cooled, frost the top of the bottom layer, add the top layer and spread the frosting around the top and sides. Decorate with orange zest.