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Dark Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake

Dark Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake

A rich, fudgy loaf cake packed with dark chocolate chunks and fresh orange zest. This easy, one-bowl recipe requires no mixer and tastes like a fancy bakery treat.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Baking
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour spooned and leveled
  • ½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp Baking Soda
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Orange Zest approx. 2 oranges
  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large Eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
  • ⅓ cup Fresh Orange Juice
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Dark Chocolate Chunks divided

Equipment

  • 9x5 Loaf Pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber Spatula
  • Microplane (Zester)

Method
 

  1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
  2. Flavor Sugar: In a large bowl, rub the orange zest into the sugar with your fingers until fragrant.
  3. Wet Ingredients: Whisk the melted butter into the sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in yogurt, orange juice, and vanilla.
  4. Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Combine: Add dry mix to wet mix. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined.
  6. Add Chocolate: Fold in ¾ cup of the chocolate chunks.
  7. Bake: Pour batter into the pan. Top with remaining chocolate. Bake for 50–60 minutes.
  8. Cool: Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Don't Overmix: Stop stirring when the flour disappears to ensure a tender cake.
  • Storage: Keeps well at room temperature for 4 days.
  • Serving: Delicious warm or cold.

Nutritional Facts (Per Slice):

  • Calories: 290 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Fat: 14g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 22g