Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp orange zest
1 cup hot coffee
Optional: Easy Homemade Orange Curd
Optional: Best Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Optional: Dark Chocolate Ganache Filling
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, orange zest, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Slowly pour in hot coffee while mixing to deepen chocolate flavor.
5. Divide batter evenly into pans and bake 28–30 minutes.
6. Cool completely on racks before assembling or wrapping.
7. Use your choice of filling (curd, ganache, or frosting).
8. Frost and decorate as desired. Chill before slicing for clean layers.
Notes
Use organic oranges for more vibrant citrus flavor.
Wrap cooled cake layers and chill before assembling for cleaner cuts.
To make dairy-free: replace buttermilk with almond milk + 1 tbsp vinegar.
To simplify: Bake in two 9-inch pans and adjust bake time by 3–5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg