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This Chocolate Orange Loaf combines the boldness of cocoa with the fresh, zesty flavor of oranges for a perfectly balanced dessert. The moist, dairy-free cake is complemented by a silky chocolate orange frosting that’s rich and vibrant. A delightful treat for any occasion, it's sure to impress with its harmonious blend of flavors!
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Chocolate Orange Loaf

Imagine biting into a slice of this Chocolate Orange Loaf—each bite offering a perfect blend of rich chocolate and zesty orange, all topped with a glossy chocolate glaze and fresh orange zest.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Chocolate Loaf, Chocolate Orange Loaf
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 10 slices

Ingredients

Cake

  • 240 gram plain flour
  • 60 gram cocoa powder
  • 185 gram caster sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • Juice of 2 oranges 140ml
  • Zest of 1 orange 2.5 tablespoon
  • 125 ml rapeseed/canola oil
  • 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon orange extract

Frosting

  • 75 gram vegan butter
  • 20 gram cocoa powder
  • 125 gram icing sugar
  • 1.5 teaspoon orange extract

Instructions

  • Start by preheating your oven to 160°C (320°F) and preparing a 9x5-inch loaf tin—grease it lightly and line it with parchment paper.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Use a wooden spoon to stir everything together until it’s evenly mixed.
  • Next, zest one orange and juice two—you’ll need about 2.5 tablespoons of zest and 140 ml of juice. Pour the juice and zest into a jug, then add the rapeseed oil, almond milk, vanilla extract, and orange extract. Give it a good stir to blend all those bright, citrusy flavors.
  • Now, gently pour the wet mixture into your dry ingredients. Stir until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix to keep your cake nice and tender.
  • Pour the batter into your prepared loaf tin, smoothing out the top. Pop it in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes.
  • Around the 30-minute mark, check on your cake and keep an eye on it. You’ll know it’s ready when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • While your cake is baking, make the icing! Whisk all the ingredients in a bowl until it’s light and fluffy. Give it a quick taste—if you’d like more orange flavor, add a little extra orange extract.
  • Once the cake has cooled completely, spoon the icing generously over the top. For a finishing touch, sprinkle some extra orange zest and grated dark chocolate on top.
  • Slice it up and enjoy!