The combination of orange and chocolate is a win-win, in this delectable cake. Simple to make, healthy, and absolutely delicious. For Valentine's Day, or for no occasion at all, this cake will bring a smile to your family's faces. You can whip this cake together in no time at all. No mixer required!
This recipe I've adapted from a recipe by Dorie Greenspan, an extraordinary baker. I've made a few changes that I think you will enjoy. The glaze in this recipe I discovered in a Fine Cooking article that highlighted citrus. The author, Jamie Schler, is spot on with this glaze. It's just perfect with my cake combination. I know this recipe is one in which I will be returning to again and again.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 + 2 tbsp. sugar
1 orange, zested and juiced (for glaze)
1/2 cup all natural vanilla yogurt
3 large eggs at room temperature
1/2 cup flavorless oil like canola
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 large heaping tablespoon orange marmalade (for glaze)
1/2 cup of light brown sugar (for glaze)
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease and flour an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan or line with a parchment or foil sleeve. Make sure the pan is well greased or sprayed with nonstick spray. Parchment or foil sleeve ensures an easy removal. If you choose to use a sleeve, still grease the foil or parchment.
Place sugar in a large bowl with orange zest. With clean hands, rub the zest into the sugar creating a beautifully moist orange sugar. Place aside.
Measure all dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. This will include 1-1/2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Add three eggs, 1/2 cup of oil, 1/2 cup of yogurt to sugar. Whisk well.
Continue to whisk while slowly incorporating flour to sugar mixture. When you are almost finished with your flour additions change to a rubber spatula to gently fold in the last bit of flour. Gently fold in chocolate chips.
Place mixture in prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few crumbs attached.
Let cool for ten minutes before attempting to remove from pan.
For the glaze, add the orange juice, 1/2 cup light brown sugar and heaping tablespoon of orange marmalade into a small saucepan. Heat to a boil. Turn down to a simmer for ten minutes.
Paint the loaf with the glaze, and let cool.
Any leftovers, will keep beautifully wrapped in saran wrap at room temperature. Also, if you wish, you can cut the loaf in half, and freeze one half. It will freeze beautifully, if well wrapped.
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| Orange zest and sugar. |
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| After rubbing sugar and zest together. |
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| All moist ingredients. |
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| The final addition of chocolate chips. |
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| Ready for the oven. |
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| Cooling. |
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| Waiting to be glazed. |
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| Glaze. |
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| Glazed Loaf. |
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| Perfect, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. |
