Description
A festive and delicious chocolate orange layer cake adorned with meringue ghosts, perfect for Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250 g butter
- 250 g soft brown sugar
- Zest of one orange
- 1/2 tsp orange blossom water or 10 drops orange essence
- 4 eggs
- 160 g flour
- 90 g cocoa powder (100%)
- 10 g baking powder
- 5 room temperature egg whites
- 300 g caster sugar
- 452 g room temperature butter
- 2 tsp orange extract
- 200 g dark chocolate, melted & cooled
- 1–2 tsp black gel food coloring
- 1 tsp orange gel food coloring
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
- 1/4 cup cream
- 3 egg whites
- 180 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the orange zest and essence, then mix in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Fold gently into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Bake Layers: Divide the batter equally into three 6-inch cake pans. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 25–30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Layers Completely: Once baked, let the layers cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Buttercream: Combine sugar and egg whites in a mixing bowl over a simmering pot to warm slightly until the sugar dissolves. Whip until glossy and peaks form. Gradually add in the butter, mixing until smooth. Divide and color one-third orange and mix melted chocolate with black coloring into the remaining buttercream.
- Prepare the Chocolate Drip: Microwave the chocolate chunks and cream until melted and smooth. Cool slightly before using.
- Create Meringue Ghosts: Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, vanilla, and salt. Pipe ghost shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 100°C (212°F) for 30 minutes.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the first layer on a serving platter and spread a generous layer of chocolate-orange buttercream. Repeat with the second layer, then add the third layer on top. Apply a crumb coat, chill, and finish with the decorative buttercream and chocolate drip.
Notes
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy with warm spiced apple cider.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 120mg