This vegan chocolate orange cake is packed with zesty flavor. A moist fudgy chocolate orange cake is layered with homemade chocolate orange frosting. Yum!
I've always had a weakness for chocolate cake, and this vegan chocolate orange cake might just be my new favorite. The base is a moist, fudgy chocolate cake infused with fresh orange zest, then layered with a lusciously creamy chocolate orange frosting.
It's a perfect blend of citrusy brightness and indulgent chocolate, making it perfect for a Spring dessert! But I know I'll be serving it up year round.
This Vegan Orange Chocolate Cake is...
- Perfectly Moist: Thanks to the combination of almond milk, vegetable oil, and orange juice!
- Richly Flavored: The intense cocoa flavor paired with the vibrant zest of fresh oranges is irresistible.
- Beautiful!: The glossy chocolate frosting and optional orange slice garnish make this cake as pretty as it is delicious.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Almond Milk & Vinegar
This duo creates a vegan "buttermilk" that keeps the cake nice and moist. Soy or oat milk could work equally well as an alternative for the almond milk.
Cocoa Powder & Instant Coffee
These two ingredients give the cake that deep chocolate flavor. No coffee? No problem - you can skip it, and the cake will still be divine.
Orange Juice & Zest
These are crucial for that bright citrus note. In a pinch, lemon zest can also pair nicely with chocolate.
Helpful Tips
Zest Right
Use only the orange part of the peel for zest to avoid bitterness from the white pith.
Don't Overmix
Mix the batter until just combined to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Cool Completely
Allow the cake layers to cool to room temperature before frosting to prevent the icing from melting. Trust me on this one.
Storing Leftover Cake
Store the cake in a covered container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the cake for 2-3 months. I recommend freezing in slices so you can thaw only the amount you want to eat!
Variations to Try
Add Crunch
Fold some chopped almonds or hazelnuts into the batter for a delightful crunchy texture.
Spice It Up
A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom in the frosting can add a nice spice note.
Layer with Fruity Flavor
Between the layers, add a thin spread of orange marmalade for an extra burst of citrus.
More Vegan Desserts
If you love this Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes:
- Boozy Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Vegan Red Velvet Cake
- Vegan Hummingbird Cake
- Best Vegan Chocolate Desserts
Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 ½ cups plain almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the frosting:
- 1 cup vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons almond milk as needed
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two 9" baking pans and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the almond milk and vinegar. Set aside until slightly curdled.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, instant coffee, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the curdled almond milk, oil, orange juice and orange zest until well combined.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared dishes and smooth the top.
- Bake in the preheated ovens for 16-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before inverting and cooling completely on a wire rack.
For the frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter with the orange zest until smooth.
- Add half the powdered sugar and the cocoa powder and mix, then add remaining powdered sugar and mix until no streaks of sugar remain.
- Add the vanilla and the almond milk as needed and mix until the desired consistency is reached.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the first layer
- Then add the second layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Garnish with orange slices if desired.
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