Print

Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake with Orange Glaze Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★

4 from 155 reviews

A decadently moist vegan chocolate orange loaf cake bursting with zesty citrus notes, rich dark chocolate chunks, and a smooth vanilla olive oil batter sweetened naturally with pure maple syrup. Finished with an optional smooth orange glaze topped with extra zest and dark chocolate shavings for the ultimate indulgence, this dairy-free loaf is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 4 oz dark chocolate bar, roughly chopped

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cashew milk
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (mild and fruity, extra light preferred)
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp orange zest plus extra for garnish
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract

Orange Icing (Optional)

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice (plus a drop more or less as needed to emulsify)
  • 1 Tbsp orange zest for garnish
  • Dark chocolate curls or shavings for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a couple of inches of overhang on the sides to use as handles for easy removal later.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together cashew milk, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, orange zest, and vanilla extract until combined. Set this wet mixture aside.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, and roughly chopped dark chocolate chunks until evenly distributed.
  4. Fold Wet into Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture over the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold together until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the loaf tender and moist.
  5. Prepare to Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. If you want your loaf to crack beautifully on top, run a knife lengthwise through the center of the batter.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out almost clean with a few moist crumbs attached.
  7. Cool: Transfer the loaf pan to a cooling rack and allow the cake to cool for at least 20 minutes. Using the parchment paper handles, carefully lift the loaf out of the pan. Let it cool completely on the rack before glazing or slicing.
  8. Prepare Optional Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and creamy. Adjust the juice quantity slightly to reach a drizzling consistency.
  9. Glaze and Garnish: Drizzle the orange icing over the completely cooled loaf. Generously sprinkle with additional orange zest and dark chocolate curls or shavings for a stunning finishing touch.
  10. Store: Wrap the cooled and optionally glazed loaf in parchment paper. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze individual slices for up to 4 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Notes

  • Orange Glaze: The glaze is optional but highly recommended for a special occasion. It adds a refined sweetness and enhances the citrus flavor. Ensure the cake is completely cool before applying the glaze to prevent melting.
  • Storage: On day one, keep the loaf uncovered on a cooling rack at room temperature. Wrap leftover slices individually in parchment paper or place the entire loaf inside an airtight container. Freeze slices up to 4 months for convenient treats.
  • Olive Oil: Use a mild, fruity olive oil or extra light olive oil for the best baking results. Avoid robust extra virgin olive oils that might overpower the cake’s flavor.
  • Chocolate Bar: Choose a vegan dark chocolate bar of 70% cocoa or darker. The recommended amount is 4 oz, but you can increase it for a richer chocolate flavor.
  • Maple Syrup: This unrefined sweetener provides natural sweetness and moisture to the cake, keeping it refined sugar-free.
  • Orange Zest: Use fresh organic oranges. Carefully grate only the colored zest without the bitter white pith for the best citrus aroma and flavor.

Keywords: Chocolate orange loaf, vegan chocolate cake, dairy free loaf cake, maple syrup cake, olive oil cake, citrus chocolate cake

Find it online: https://foodarohub.com/chocolate-orange-loaf-cake-with-orange-glaze-recipe/