Chocolate Mud Cake With Orange Marmalade And Chocolate Orange Buttercream Recipes

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CAKE POPS

Steps:

• For the cake: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 11- by 8-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Lay a piece of parchment paper over the baking sheet allowing the excess to fall over the sides. Spray the parchment paper with the cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in the eggs, one at a time until smooth. Add the mascarpone cheese, orange juice and zest. Mix until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture until combined.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared baking sheet, spreading the batter to the edges. Bake until a cake tester comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Using the excess parchment to lift, carefully remove the cake from the baking sheet and cool completely on a wire rack for about 30 minutes.
• For the frosting: While the cake is cooling, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk, vanilla extract and butter in a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, combine the ingredients until smooth, adding more milk if needed (the frosting should be stiff). Gradually add the orange food coloring until desired color.
• Cut the cooled cake in half. Using a serrated knife, trim the top layer of cake halves to make a flat surface. Spread the frosting over one half of the cake. Top with the other cake half. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the frosting has set.
• For the chocolate: Combine the chocolate and safflower oil in a small bowl and place over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Cut the cake into 1 1/4-inch squares. Insert a popsicle stick into the end of each cake square. Dip the cake squares into the melted chocolate, shaking off any excess chocolate. Decorate with sprinkles and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the cake squares. Refrigerate the pops until the chocolate has set, 1 to 2 hours.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE MARMALADE LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C (convention) OR 160°C (fan-forced/convection).
• Grease a standard 21cm X 11cm loaf tin with butter. Cut a 1ocm wide long strip of baking paper and line the tin lengthwise so that the extra bits hang over the shorter sides of the tin (as pictured).
• Melt butter, chocolate and sugar in a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan on low heat. When the butter has pooled and chocolate just melted, remove from heat and mix well. Add marmalade and salt. Mix well and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• Add cocoa powder, flour and baking powder. Pour the whisked eggs on top. Using a wooden spoon, mix gently and quickly until just combined (do not overmix).
• Pour the batter in the prepared tin, smooth the top with the spoon. Bake in the pre-heated oven for approximately 42-45 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack. When completely cool, cut into 12 slices using a serrated knife or bread knife. Store in an air-tight container in a cool part of your kitchen for upto 3 days.

CHOCOLATE MUD CAKE WITH ORANGE MARMALADE AND CHOCOLATE-ORANGE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the marmalade: Cut the oranges and lemon in half, then cut the halves into very thin slices. Place the slices in a large nonstick or stainless-steel pot, add 4 cups water, and bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the sugar, stirring well until the sugar is dissolved. Cover the pan and refrigerate overnight.
• The following day, bring back to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 2 hours. Turn up the heat a little and boil gently for another 30 minutes. Place a candy thermometer in the marmalade and cook until it reaches the jelly stage (220 degrees F).
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray.
• Melt the butter and chocolate in an 8-cup microwave-safe container. Whisk in the sugar and then the cocoa powder until fully incorporated. Slowly add the hot coffee in three increments, whisking until smooth. Add the vanilla, then add the eggs, one at a time.
• Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; mix until combined. With the mixer on low speed, gradually pour in the chocolate mixture; beat on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Scrape the bottom of the bowl and beat until smooth, another 30 seconds.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.
• For the buttercream: Set a clean stand-mixer bowl over a double-boiler and add the egg whites and sugar. Whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved. Transfer the bowl to the mixer and beat with the whisk attachment until stiff and glossy. Piece by piece, gradually incorporate the butter--the mixture will start to look curdled but will come together once fully incorporated. Add the melted chocolate, cocoa powder, orange zest and vanilla; beat until incorporated.
• To assemble: Level the cooled cake layers and lightly brush with the orange liqueur. Spread the top of each layer with a thin layer of marmalade and then, using an offset spatula, with the buttercream cream. Stack the cake layers.

CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE MARMALADE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4.
• Line two baking sheets with baking paper.
• Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Add the orange zest.
• Melt 140 g of the chocolate. Do not allow it to overheat. (over boiling water or CAREFULLY in the microwave oven.).
• Add the melted chocolate to the creamed butter and sugar. Stir in the marmalade and the remaining chopped chocolate.
• Fold in the flour and mix.
• Divide into balls, arrange 5cm apart on baking sheet. Press lightly into flattish rounds.
• Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until dry and smooth to touch. Cool on a wire rack.