ORANGE CHOCOLATE CAKE

The combined flavors of orange and chocolate are nothing short of tongue tantalizing and when you combine them in a moist and delicious sheet cake slathered over with a rich dark chocolate glaze and garnish each piece with an orange slice candy it becomes an almost heavenly treat. You will need to purchase one 14 oz pkg. of orange candy slices for garnish.  Here is how to make it…

ORANGE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and lightly flour 9 inch by 13 inch cake pan and set aside

In a sauce pan over medium heat combine

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup butter (not margarine)

1/4cup unsweetened cocoa powder

and bring to boil stirring constantly to blend….remove from heat and set aside

In a large mixing bowl sift together

2 cups flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

In a separate bowl beat until well blended

2 large eggs

1-3oz pkg. cream cheese softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Add

Zest of one-half orange

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

continue beating for 2 minutes

Make a well in the center of your flour mixture and pour egg mixture in the well

Add

1/2 cup butter milk

Stir into dry ingredients until all the liquid is taken up and then beat briskly until

batter is smooth and creamy.  Pour into prepared cake pan and bake 30 minutes or until cake springs back in center when lightly touched or a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

Turn out onto cake tray and finish cooling.  When completely cool, frost with the following recipe and garnish with orange candy slices; one candy per square of cake.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

In a sauce pan over medium heat combine

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup butter (not margarine)

1/3 cup whole milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla or orange extract (I usually use vanilla)

Stir constantly until ingredients comes to a boil and sugar is completely dissolved.

Remove from heat and immediately add

1 full cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Continue stirring until chips are completely melted and glaze is smooth.  Frost your cake and using a toothpick mark out squares for cutting later.  In the center of each square place one piece of orange slice candy as decoration.  Allow to cool for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving. 

This goes wonderful with a cup of orange spice tea or flavored coffee and your kids will love it too.