Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake

I've been missing my blog for the last week and of course all of your posts as well. My aunt and uncle came to visit and I did nothing but enjoy their company. I rarely checked Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or my blog. Now I'm Baaaacccck. My google reader is so full it's overwhelming but I'm going to try and read as many as I can before my eyes cross.
I'll leave you with this post of the yummiest bundt cake I've had in a while. I didn't get a chance to photograph a cut slice. Bad Bad blogger.
I made it for my family. Got to show off those baking skills.

Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake

by Barefoot Contessa

1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1/4 cup grated orange zest (from 4 large oranges)
3 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
3/4 cup buttermilk at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups good semisweet chocolate chunks

Syrup:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Ganache:
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.

2. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, then the orange zest.

3. Sift together 3 cups flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine the orange juice, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately in thirds to the creamed butter, beginning and ending with the flour. Toss the chocolate chunks with 2 tablespoons flour and add to the batter. Pour into the pan, smooth the top, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, make the syrup. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the sugar with the orange juice until the sugar dissolves. Remove the cake from the pan, set it on a rack over a tray, and spoon the orange syrup over the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely.

5. For the ganache, melt the chocolate, heavy cream, and coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over the top of the cake.

So, what have I missed?

6 comments:

  1. Orange and Chocolate go so well together! YUM!

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  2. It looks wonderful! I love bundt cakes. So glad you had the opportunity to enjoy your aunt and uncle while they were visiting and show off your fantastic cooking skills!

    ~ Tracy

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  3. Oh my gosh- what a beautiful cake! Your guests were quite lucky to be there with your coomking!

    Yelena
    onehealthyapple.blogspot.com

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  4. This cake looks INCREDIBLE!!

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  5. Hi Foodie, Your Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake recipe has been selected to be featured in a Recipe Guessing Game. Please share the following link with your friends and fans. To play, go here: http://knapkins.com/guess_games/98?source=blog Congrats again!! :)

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