So here's the thing, you don't need to use a bucket load of sugar to make a cake. Nor do you need to use a whole heap of colouring and flavouring. I've made this super simple jaffa cake without adding any extra sugar, just because I've used fresh gorgeous oranges that are in season and dark chocolate. And the taste? Well, it's sensational.
If you're wondering what Jaffa is- it's what we Aussies call the combination of chocolate and orange. If you've ever had a Terry's orange- you know those chocolates that come apart like an orange segment, then you will know what I mean!
Have your cake and eat it too. Enjoy every mouthful. It's a treat, obviously, but it's not as naughty as other cakes. And it's so yummy. All three of my taste testers are home today and the adult taste tester had two pieces.
There's a funny story to this recipe. A year ago I made this cake. I took photos and I wrote the recipe on a piece of paper. I didn't have time before we left for the snow to type the blog post and I planned to do it when we were away. But...it wasn't to be, somewhere down in Jindabyne, I lost that piece of paper.
I tried to lose it once at the ski hire shop, but they gave it to me...but then at some stage I p[roperly lost it. And I had to wait a year before I could make it again with my Kingfisher Citrus oranges because they are the sweetest and freshest oranges ever!
I use dark chocolate chips by Callebaut, they have an amazing flavour and are perfect for the cake. On top I use the best quality melting cooking chocolate- the nestle one. The chocolate you choose for a recipe like this one has a massive impact, so be sure to choose good quality chocolate.
I use a silicone square pan to make my cakes, I love this silicone square cake pan from Williams Sonoma (affiliate link) as it doesn't sag or bend on the way to the oven. That's really important when it's a cake! I also love this zester (I've had mine for 10 years!) like everything from Microplane, it's super sharp and built to last (affiliate link).
Looking for other ways to use fresh seasonal oranges? How about this zesty orange salad? Or these orange buttermilk pikelets? Oranges are so beautiful when they are in season!
Jaffa cake- orange and chocolate cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups of self raising flour
- 1 cup of milk
- 125 grams of butter melted
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste
- zest of one orange
- juice of one orange
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- zest of one orange
Icing
- 1 cup dark cooking chocolate
- zest of one orange
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius
- Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips for the cake in a large bowl.
- Whisk to get out any lumps.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir through.
- Pour into a 20 by 20 cm square cake tin.
- Bake for 40 minutes at 180 degrees. Check with a skewer for doneness- if it comes out clear you're good to go!
- Allow cake to cool completely.
- Melt the cooking chocolate using your preferred method.
- Spread over the cake.
- Sprinkle with the orange zest and serve when the icing has set.
Brunella callaghan says
This is yummm. Thanks
Sarah says
Could this cake be used as a layered tier cake? How stable/ dense is it?
Kylie says
Hi Sarah, I'm not sure if it could be used as a layered tier cake. You can but try!
Sarah says
Is the cake crumbly?
Hazel says
Was soooo disappointed when i cut the cake and it was a doughy. The flavours were brilliant but the consistency ruined it and it had to go in the bin. Kids were devastated
Kylie says
Oh no! Can we troubleshoot what went wrong? Did you skewer test to see that it was done? I make this regularly and have never had it doughy.
Emma says
Would this freeze well before the icing?
Kylie says
Yes! It does! And that's what I tend to do. I then pull it out and ice it. 😉
Emma says
Great. Have made mini muffins instead of a cake for my boys school lunches. They won’t even need them iced 😀