Chocolate Orange Reindeer Delight (Print-Friendly Version)
Fudgy chocolate sponge flavored with fresh orange zest and juice, finished with smooth chocolate orange buttercream and festive decor.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Chocolate Orange Sponge
01 -
1 1/3 cup white or golden caster sugar
02 -
2 cups self-raising flour
03 -
1/2 cup cocoa powder
04 -
3/4 cup vegetable or sunflower oil
05 -
7 fl oz whole milk
06 -
3 large eggs, room temperature
07 -
1 large orange, zested and juiced
→ Chocolate Orange Buttercream
08 -
3.5 oz Dairy Milk Chocolate Orange, chopped
09 -
3.5 oz salted butter, room temperature
10 -
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
11 -
1 tbsp cocoa powder
12 -
1 tbsp boiling water
→ Reindeer Decoration
13 -
7 Dairy Milk Chocolate Orange buttons
14 -
7 red Smarties
15 -
7 pretzels
16 -
14 edible eyes
# How to Make It:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 320°F fan-assisted or 356°F conventional. Grease and line a cake tin with baking paper.
02 -
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, self-raising flour, and cocoa powder until evenly mixed.
03 -
Add vegetable oil, whole milk, and beaten eggs to the dry mixture. Stir until the batter is smooth and uniform.
04 -
Grate the zest of one orange directly into the batter. Then halve the orange and squeeze in the juice. Mix thoroughly to incorporate.
05 -
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until risen and springy to touch. Allow to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
06 -
Finely chop the chocolate and melt in the microwave for 60 seconds or until smooth. Stir and set aside to cool.
07 -
Whip the butter until light and fluffy. Sift in icing sugar and beat until smooth.
08 -
Fold the cooled melted chocolate into the butter mixture. Add cocoa powder and boiling water, folding gently until the buttercream is glossy and smooth.
09 -
Spread the buttercream evenly over the cooled cake. Arrange chocolate buttons in a circle at the center, attach red Smarties atop the buttons with buttercream, place edible eyes above, and break pretzels into antler shapes positioning them above the eyes.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Store the decorated cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.