Ingredients
- For the chocolate cake layers:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee
- For the creamy orange filling:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained and patted dry
- For the chocolate ganache:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
- For the white buttercream frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For garnish:
- Chocolate shavings or curls
- Orange slices or segments
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans.
- Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Stir in the hot coffee until combined, then divide batter among prepared pans.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the orange filling: Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla, cream, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth.
- For the white buttercream: Beat butter, add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in cream and vanilla until fluffy.
- To assemble: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with orange buttercream and add mandarin segments. Repeat with second layer. Top with third layer.
- Frost the entire cake with the white buttercream and chill for 20–30 minutes.
- For the ganache: Heat cream until just boiling, pour over chopped chocolate, let sit 1–2 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
- Pour ganache onto center of cake, letting it drip down the sides.
- Decorate with chocolate shavings and orange slices. Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture.
- Cool cake layers completely before assembling to prevent melting the filling.
- Ganache should be pourable but not hot for neat drips.
- Pat any fresh or canned fruit dry to avoid soggy layers.
- For clean slices, chill the cake before slicing and wipe the knife between cuts.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 58g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
