Nigella’s gorgeous gluten-free chocolate orange cake is smothered in a rich chocolate ganache and decorated with mouthwatering chocolate orange segments.
Chocolate Orange Cake….what is there not to love?
According to one study, melting chocolate in your mouth is results in more of an increase in heart rate and brain activity than passionate kissing.
Other research suggests that it can have a number of positive health effects including lowering blood pressure, can boost your memory and even increase your sex drive. Sign me up!
So, for this fortnight’s Cookbook challenge, with the theme of Love, I decided to make Nigella Lawson’s Gluten Free Chocolate Orange cake.
Making Chocolate Orange Cake
This chocolate orange cake recipe is deliciously moist, thanks to the almond meal (making it gluten free too), 2 whole oranges (yes, whole oranges) and 6 eggs.
Nigella’s flourless chocolate orange cake is also supremely easy to make as it’s all done in the food processor. Yay for simple cakes!
I then decorated the cake with a chocolate orange glaze and surrounded the cake with Orange D’Anvers segments. Similar to these – if you want to give it a try!
If this sounds amazing – be sure to check out these chocolate orange cookies too!
One bite of this Chocolate Orange Cake and you will fall in love.
And while I haven’t tried to make a vegan version of this cake yet, I bet it would be pretty simple by substituting applesauce and flax eggs for the eggs and coconut cream for the cream.
(If you want to give that a try – be sure to grab a copy of my printable vegan baking cheat sheet. It’s packed with handy substitutions for recipes like this!)
Chocolate Orange Cake recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large orange or 2 small, weighing approximately 375g
- 6 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder heaped
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups ground almonds or almond flour
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder good quality
CHOCOLATE ORANGE GLAZE
- 6 ounces dark chocolate
- 1 cup cream
- 1 teaspoon Cointreau
FOR DECORATING (OPTIONAL)
- chocolate orange segment candies
Special Equipment
- 8" springform pan
Instructions
- Put the oranges in a saucepan with cold water and bring to the boil before reducing the heat and simmering for 2 hours, or until soft. Drain the water and set aside to cool. When cool, cut the oranges in half and remove any large pips.
- Grease an 8" (20 cm) springform pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (80 Celsius).
- Pulp the orange in a food processor before adding the eggs, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, almonds, sugar and cocoa and processing until you have a smooth batter- but still flecked with orange.
- Pour the batter into the springform pan and bake for 1 hour. Check the cake after 45 minutes as you may need to cover it with foil to prevent burning before the cake is cooked through.
- Let the cake cool in the tin before removing.
- For the glaze, chop the chocolate into small pieces and place into a bowl. Pour the cream into a saucepan and heat until almost boiling and then pour over the chocolate pieces. Let it stand for 5 minutes before stirring until smooth. Let it stand for 10 minutes before decorating the cake with the optional chocolate orange slices.
K says
Has anyone tried to make this with sweetner/applesauce instead of sugar? Need to make it diabetic friendly (the low GI index from no flour is already a plus). Thanks in advance!
Jacqui says
An incredible moist and flavorful cake!!!
Love,Love,Love it!
Thanks.
Nicole says
Thanks so much!
Jacqui Lim says
Hi Nicole,
Gonna bake this for a gal friend’s birthday request.
Is it possible to bake this in 2 x 6 inch round pans.
What would be the suggested baking time and temp on these pan size?
As there are only 6 of us.
Can’t possible finish the whole cake.
Thanks much
Jacqui
Nicole says
I have not tried it that way, but I don’t see why it would be a problem. Here is a good reference for converting pan sizes: https://www.browneyedbaker.com/how-to-convert-pan-sizes/
dafmatok says
Looks so royal! 🙂
bernie says
How long will this cake keep or can I freeze it
Thanks Bernie
Nicole @ Delicious Everyday says
This cake will keep for between 5 to 7 days depending on the climate you live in. Here in Brisbane, it is quite humid, so I find it lasts around 5 days. As for freezing, I haven’t tried that with this particular cake, but it shouldn’t be an issue.
CoA says
About three minutes… or at least that’s how long it has lasted in my house with my kids… can’t tell you how long it lasts without being eaten
Terry says
Would you know if this cake could be made the day before an event? If so, would it be stored in the refrigerator or on the counter? Thank you in advance.
Nicole @ Delicious Everyday says
This cake can definitely be made the day before and stored on the counter. I hope you enjoy it. It is one of my favourite cakes 🙂
Karly hodge says
Hello I was just wondering do you have to peal the oranges before adding to the food processor or add in with the peal?
Nicole @ Delicious Everyday says
The oranges are added with the peel, however, you’ll need to remove the seeds from the oranges. I cut them, scoop out the seeds and then pop them in the food processor. I hope you enjoy the cake. It is one of my favourites 🙂
Tina says
Hi
Im a novice baker,
Im wondering, for the chocolate, what sort of chocotae do you use?
Thanks
Jennifer says
Hi Tina,
In this recipe I use good quality chocolate such as Lindt, or Nestle 70% cocoa baking chocolate. I hope that helps 😀
Tina says
Thank you so much ^^ ill give it a try and let you know the result
Btw, if i omit the cointreau,will it make so much difference?
Jennifer says
No, the cointreau only adds flavour. 😀
John Mampe says
luv
emily says
i feel like this is an extra dumb question but at what point do i add the cointreau to the glaze? im making this for my mums bday and want to make sure its perfect. your cake looks absolutely amazing!
delicieux says
Hi Emily, add the Cointreau after you’ve mixed the cream into the chocolate and after the chocolate has melted. Good luck with the cake and happy birthday to your Mum 😀
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen says
Oh man, this cake looks fabulous! I love the chocolate and orange combo! 🙂
delicieux says
Thanks you Christina 😀
Mishaps and mayhem of a gluten free life says
I made this as a bday cake for my mum who loves the Choc orange combination! I used lindt dark orange chocolate n lindt balls for the ganache! It was so delicious, moist and tasty without being too overwhelming with oranges! The best part I could eat it as I used almond meal (instead of ground almonds)! I decorated the sides with fresh oranges cut into small slices like your chocolate! It looked and tasted wonderful a hit alround! A recipe that I didn’t have to make gf, perfect!
jodie sorensen says
omg!!!!!! this cake is 2 die 4!!! my partner & kids luuuuuuvvvvved it! i was boasting about it 2 my sister & now we have organised a bake-off with mum being the judge. i think we’ve got it hands down nigella! thanks sooo much!!
delicieux says
Hi Jodie,
Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out. I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it as much as we did. It’s certainly one of my favourite cakes. 😀
Beck says
I made this today for my mother-in-law's birthday cake. I didn't have quite enough almond meal so I made up the last 50g with plain flour and put toasted almonds on top of the ganache. It was still just slightly warm in middle when I served it (but not enough to make the ganache run). I was after something with orange flavour that fitted with having the cake as dessert. It was delicious – rave reviews – and I'd definitely make this again.
delicieux says
Hi Beck 😀 That was lovely of you to make this cake for your mother-in-laws birthday. I'm so glad it turned out so well for you. I have to admit it's one of my favourite cake recipes. It really is so delicious without being overly sickly sweet. Thank you for taking the time to let me know how it went. 🙂
CC11 says
I simply adore the fact that you garnished it with chocolate orange segments – you made a sexy cake even sexier!
Irvin says
Oh I love it! It looks like such a great special occasion dessert and the orange segments look awesome surrounding that decadence. Well done!
My recent post The Gluten Free Ratio Rally – Quinoa Cornmeal Lemon Honey Pancakes with Rosemary infused Maple Syrup
delicieux says
Thanks Irvin 😀
Emma @CakeMistress says
I love the way you have decorated Nigella’s cake, very chic! Chocolate is the best cure-all I reckon 🙂
delicieux says
I love it too Kulsum 😀 I will definitely be making this one again and again. It's a new favourite. I love Nigella's recipes.
delicieux says
Exactly Sylvie! I feel obligated to indulge daily, especially as Dr Oz suggests everyone have a little dark chocolate every day. I guess his definition of a little and mine might differ though 😉
delicieux says
Thanks foodieandchef 😀
delicieux says
Thank you 😀
Kulsum says
I have made this recipe on nigella and totallllly love it. But must admit you make it look way betteer than mine :-)ut must admite you make it look way better than mine 🙂
Sylvie @ GITK says
I believe it, chocolate does have a strange powerful effect on me! And hey if it's for my health then I'm obligated to indulge right?
My recent post string bean and pea pasta with spinach pesto in search of green
@foodieandchef says
This looks absolutely heavenly, I'm a huge choc-orange fan… I love cakes that use whole oranges. Beautiful photos.
My recent post banoffee pie eater discretion advised
pearlsandprose says
Oh my, this looks divine. You've decorated it beautifully too!
My recent post Collage
delicieux says
Yes, they are exactly like Terry's orange segments. They're delicious 😀
rfr says
are these like Terry's orange segments? I love those!!!
My recent post Video- Sneaky Macaroni Mac n Cheese Recipe
delicieux says
Thanks for your comments. 🙂 Let me know what you thought of the cake when you get a chance to make it 😀
Stephanie says
Your cake looks gorgeous! Plus it sounds delicious and so easy to make (not to mention not too unhealthy for a cake). And I will take any excuse to eat more chocolate so I appreciate the research findings 🙂
My recent post Limoncello & Meyer Lemon Cupcakes
delicieux says
Hi Kay, it's not a silly question at all. 😀 But yes, you do leave the peel on. The oranges are boiled whole.
queenotisblue says
OMG! That looks seriously good. And no wheat flour – bonus! (I can't eat wheat). I am going to try this when I get back home. Classic flavour combination and I love the use of the choc orange segments. Inspiring
Wendi says
Chocolate and orange is such a perfect combination. That's one fine looking cake.
delicieux says
Thank you so much Wendi 😀
Not Quite Nigella says
Jennifer that looks gorgeous! I love how you used chocolates to decorate the sides too! 🙂
My recent post Win 1 of 3 Ecofy Organic Seasonal Fruit & Vegetable Boxes!
MaryMoh says
Orange and chocolate is such a great combination. I love this cake. Bookmarking it to try. Thanks very much for sharing.
My recent post Classy Indonesian Layer Cake Kek Lapis
Kay says
This may be a silly question, but do you peel the oranges before boiling them or leave the peel on? The cake looks lovely and I'm looking forward to trying it!
Taz says
yum, this sounds delicious. Cakes with oranges cooked this way are always fantastic!
My recent post Lemon Madeleines with Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam
delicieux says
Thanks for your comments Taz and thanks for visiting 😀
Ellie says
Beautifully decorated chocolate orange cake. Love the glossy look.
delicieux says
Thanks Ellie. I love the glossiness too.
Fitter Than Choc says
This is such a beautiful cake. Orange and chocolate goes so well together, and I love the Orange D’Anvers segments on this cake. it gives the cake such a nice finishing touch:) I was actually trying to read off the words on those little segments. Even though I probably can't eat this, I'd still enjoy admiring this cake!
My recent post My Half Marathon Training Plan
delicieux says
Thanks Fitter Than Choc 😀
The words on the segments say 'Truffle D'Anvers'. I love Anvers chocolates. Every time I go home to Tasmania I have to go there, not only for their yummy chocolates, but also for their delicious lunches too.
@fitterthanchoc says
I will keep this in mind, and get some of these if I ever go to Tasmania:)
My recent post National Peanut Butter Lovers Day PB & Choc Oatmeal Balls
JohannaGGG says
Oh this looks so decadent – I love orange and chocolate – have made a similar cake without chocolate but doesn't it all taste better with chocolate (and a little tip I discovered when I made the orange almond cake was that you can microwave the oranges in far less time than it takes to boil them)
My recent post Earl Grey cupcakes and nutritous ganache
delicieux says
Thanks for the microwave tip Johanna! I'll try that next time 😀
[email protected] says
So smart! I have a couple of those chocolate oranges that were given to me as gifts over Christmas – what a genius idea to use them to decorate a cake. (Especially since I'm not the most skilled froster in the world.) I'll have to try this out!
leigh says
Your photography is beautiful and the cake looks gorgeous. I love the orange/chocolate combination.
delicieux says
Thank you so much Leigh. 😀 I love chocolate and orange together too….it's a perfect match.
Iron Chef Shellie says
EXCUSE ME!!! How freakin awesome does this cake look!?!? you can send me a slice stat 😛
My recent post Banana & Butterscotch Muffins
delicieux says
Thanks Shellie. 😀 I would send you some, but I think it would get a bit mushed up in the mail. You will just have to make your own. Trust me, it's delicious!
Cookie says
OMG this looks soooo amazing. The decoration with the chocolate slices was genius!
delicieux says
Thanks Cookie 😀 I couldn't think of how to decorate the cake and then remembered I had some chocolate orange segments in the pantry. It was a perfect way to use them as I'd almost forgotten about them.
Trudy~Veggie num num says
Oh my!! This looks so chocolaty and so deliciously orange-y!! I love the combo of choc and orange and this beautiful rich cakes looks super amazing!!
My recent post A Vegan Sandwich Project and Veggie num num’s Crispy Drunken notChicken Baguette
delicieux says
Thanks Trudy. 😀 The cake was a wonderful combination of chocolate and orange, and not that fake orange flavour. A wonderfully fresh orange. I will definitely make it again, not only because it's amazingly delicious (it would be superb at a dinner party), but because it's super easy too.
[email protected] says
Oh gosh, that looks SO good! If I could I would marry Nigella 🙂 Love all her recipes and this ones exceptional!
delicieux says
While I wouldn't go so far as to say I'd marry Nigella 😉 , I do agree her recipes are always fantastic. I definitely wouldn't say no if I was invited to a dinner party she was throwing!