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To make this fun cake, you need a mix of basic and special items. Here’s what you should gather: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 large eggs - 1 cup whole milk - 1/2 cup vegetable oil - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - Zest of 1 large orange - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice These ingredients blend to create a rich chocolate cake with a fresh orange twist. Now let’s focus on some baking essentials. Make sure you have: - 1 cup heavy whipping cream - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar - 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips These staples help in making the whipped cream and adding chocolatey goodness. The fun part is decorating your cake! Here’s what you’ll need: - Candy eyes (for decoration) - Pretzels (for antlers) - Orange slices (for garnish) These fun decorations make your cake look like a cute reindeer. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter. Dust them with flour to stop sticking. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together these dry ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda - 1 teaspoon salt Mix until everything is even. Next, add your wet ingredients: - 2 large eggs - 1 cup whole milk - 1/2 cup vegetable oil - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - Zest of 1 large orange - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice Blend these on medium speed for 2 minutes. The batter will be thin after you mix in boiling water; this is okay. Pour it evenly into your pans. Bake the cakes in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Check if they are done by inserting a toothpick. It should come out clean. Once baked, cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack so they can cool completely. While the cakes cool, prepare the whipped cream. In a bowl, mix: - 1 cup heavy whipping cream - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar Whip until soft peaks form, making it light and fluffy. Once the cakes are cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of whipped cream on top. Sprinkle with semisweet chocolate chips before adding the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides with the remaining whipped cream. Smooth it out for a nice finish. For decoration, attach candy eyes to the cake for the reindeer face. Insert pretzels at the top for antlers. Optionally, add orange slices around the base for a festive touch. Enjoy creating this fun treat! To make the best chocolate cake, focus on your ingredients. Use fresh eggs and high-quality cocoa powder. Make sure to measure your flour correctly. Use the spoon and level method. This helps prevent a dry cake. Whisk the dry ingredients well to mix them evenly. Adding boiling water to the batter also helps keep it moist. It sounds strange but trust me! This step makes your cake soft and rich. Whipping cream can be tricky, but practice helps. Start with cold heavy whipping cream for the best results. Use a clean bowl and beaters to whip the cream. This helps achieve those soft peaks faster. Add powdered sugar after a minute of whipping. This gives the cream a sweet taste. Stop whipping when you see soft peaks. Be careful not to over-whip, or it will turn into butter! Decorating your cake is where the fun begins! After frosting, use candy eyes to make the reindeer face. Place them just above the center of the cake. Insert pretzels on top for antlers. You can break them if they’re too long. For extra flair, add orange slices around the base of the cake. This gives a pop of color and a zesty taste. When cutting, show off the chocolate layers. Your guests will be wowed! Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, milk, and other ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise during baking. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and fluffy; overmixing can result in a dense texture. Cool Cakes Completely: Allow your cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the whipped cream from melting or sliding off. Decorate with Freshness: Adding fresh orange slices not only enhances the presentation but also brings a refreshing flavor contrast to the rich chocolate. {{image_4}} You can make this cake gluten-free. Just swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Look for a blend that has xantham gum for the best texture. You can also use almond flour for a nutty flavor. If you love dark chocolate, use dark cocoa powder instead of unsweetened cocoa. This change gives the cake a richer taste. You could even add more chocolate chips for an extra treat. Get creative with decorations! Instead of candy eyes, use mini marshmallows for a fun twist. You can also add fruit decorations like berries or mint leaves for color. For a winter theme, sprinkle edible glitter on top. It makes the cake look magical. You can even change the antlers. Try using chocolate sticks or candy canes instead of pretzels. Serve this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream pairs well with the warm cake. You can also add a drizzle of chocolate sauce for extra sweetness. For drinks, hot cocoa or a festive punch works great. The flavors of orange and chocolate mix well with fruity drinks. You can also serve a cup of coffee to balance the sweetness. To keep your Chocolate Orange Reindeer Cake fresh, store it in an airtight container. Place it in the fridge if you have leftover whipped cream on it. It will stay good for about 3 to 4 days. If the cake is not frosted, it can sit at room temperature for up to 2 days. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap to avoid it drying out. You can freeze the cake if you want to save it for later. First, let the cake cool completely. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap. Then place the wrapped layers in a freezer bag. They can stay frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. This keeps the cake moist and tasty. To keep your cake fresh, avoid cutting it until you're ready to serve. Each cut exposes more of the cake to air, which can dry it out. If you have any leftover cake, make sure to keep it covered. You can even store it with a slice of bread in the container. The bread will help keep the cake moist. Yes, you can make this cake ahead of time. Bake the layers a day or two in advance. Let them cool completely, then wrap them in plastic wrap. Store them in the fridge. This helps the flavors blend well. You can frost it the day you plan to serve. If you need a substitute for heavy cream, you have options. You can use whole milk with butter. Mix 3/4 cup of whole milk with 1/4 cup of melted butter. This mixture works well in most recipes. You can also use coconut cream for a dairy-free option. To get a deeper orange flavor, increase the zest. Use the zest of two large oranges instead of one. You can also add more fresh orange juice. A splash of orange extract adds more flavor too. This will make your cake taste bright and fresh. This blog post covered all you need for a tasty Chocolate Orange Reindeer Cake. We discussed key ingredients, baking steps, and how to decorate like a pro. I shared tips for a moist cake and ideas for fun variations. Remember, store your cake well to keep it fresh. Making this cake will bring joy to any gathering. With simple steps and fun decorations, you can impress your friends and family. Enjoy every slice of your sweet creation!

Chocolate Orange Reindeer Cake

A festive chocolate cake with orange flavor, decorated to resemble a reindeer.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.75 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 0.5 cups vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 large orange zest
  • 0.25 cups fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 0.5 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 package candy eyes
  • 1 package pretzels
  • 1 package orange slices

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing them with butter and dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
  • In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until the mixture is uniform and well combined.
  • To the dry mixture, add the eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Blend with an electric mixer on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
  • Slowly add the boiling water to the batter; be aware that the batter will be quite thin, but this is normal. Mix until the water is fully combined with the batter.
  • Carefully pour the batter equally into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While the cakes are cooling, prepare the whipped cream by combining the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Whip until soft peaks form, indicating it is light and fluffy.
  • After the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate. Generously spread a layer of whipped cream over the top, sprinkle with semisweet chocolate chips, then place the second cake layer on top.
  • Frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining whipped cream, smoothing it out for an even finish.
  • For decoration, use candy eyes to create the face of the reindeer on the cake. Insert pretzels into the top to serve as antlers, and optionally arrange orange slices around the base of the cake for a festive and colorful touch.

Notes

When slicing the cake, showcase the moist chocolate interior. Serve each slice with additional orange slices on the side for a zesty complement. For an elegant finish, dust the plate with cocoa powder before placing the slice.
Keyword chocolate cake, festive cake, holiday dessert, orange