Chocolate Orange Buttercream Recipes

CHOCOLATE ORANGE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Beat 1 1/2 cups of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a paddle or whisk attachment until smooth.
• Mix in 1 1/2 tsp orange emulsion or extract, 2 Tbsp fresh orange zest and 1/2 tsp salt on a low speed.
• Slowly mix in 3 cup powdered sugar and 1 cup dark cocoa powder on a low speed. Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream halfway through adding the powdered sugar to make it easier to mix. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as need with a rubber spatula.
• Pour in 2 cups of cooled, melted chocolate. Mix on low until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.
• If the frosting seems too thick, add an extra Tbsp of heavy cream. If it's too thin, add in another 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Repeat until the frosting is the right consistency.
• Stir by hand with a rubber spatula to get the frosting SUPER smooth. Then cover the plastic wrap and set aside until you're ready to use it. This frosting tastes delicious on cupcakes, layer cakes, macarons, and cookies.

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-ORANGE CUPCAKES WITH PISTACHIO BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups with shortening using a paper towel and dust with about 1 teaspoon flour or line with paper liners.
• Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, white sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat 1 cup cold water, olive oil, orange juice, and vanilla extract into flour mixture on medium-low speed until batter is just combined, about 2 minutes. Fold orange zest into batter. Pour batter into prepared muffin cups, 2/3-full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Beat butter in a bowl using an electric mixer in medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Slowly pour confectioners' sugar into creamed butter and beat until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Beat pudding mix into butter mixture until just combined. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency of icing is reached. Ice the cooled cupcakes; garnish with grated chocolate.

CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE BUTTERCREAM POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place wax paper on ungreased bottom of a 91/2x51/2 inch loaf pan.
• CHOCOLATE CAKE: Put all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Beat 5 minutes with electric mixer, starting at low speed and increasing to high when flour is no longer visible.
• Pour into pan and bake 45-50 minutes or until center of cake springs back when touched lightly with your fingertip.
• Cool 10 minutes and loosen sides with metal spatula.
• Cool completely on a cake rack then slice horizontally into 3 layers.
• ORANGE CREAM: Cream butter at high speed with electric mixer until light in color.
• Add heavy cream, 1 tbsp at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add orange jam 1 tbsp at a time.
• Spread mixture between cake layers.
• TOPPING: Pour whipping cream in a bowl and freeze 40 minutes before beating.
• Beat at high speed with electric mixer for 2-3 minutes or until thick and spreadable.
• Use to ice layer cake.
• Drizzle with liquid chocolate over icing (like stripes).
• Decorate top center with canned mandarin oranges.
• Chill until ready to serve.