Citrus season is about to end. And what better way to celebrate it than with a decadent chocolate cake with citrus cream cheese frosting. Chocolate and orange are a longtime favorite flavor pairing and with this cake, it's easy to see why.
To make this recipe you will need:
2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
¾ cup cocoa powder
1 ¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup safflower oil
2 cups water
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper and lightly grease. In a medium mixing bowl add all dry ingredients and whisk until well combined. In a large mixing bowl add wet ingredients and whisk until combined. In several additions, add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, making sure not to over mix. Pour batter evenly into prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto cooling rack.
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
16 ounces cream cheese
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons finely grate orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In the bowl of an electric mixer beat cream cheese and butter until well blended. Beat in sugar, then orange peel and vanilla. Use to frost completely cooled cakes.