Vegan Chocolate Blood Orange Cake Recipe (2024)

Published: Jan 29, 2021 · Modified: Feb 15, 2023 by Emily Miller · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

Chocolate cake is an absolute classic. Whether for a birthday, anniversary, special occasion, or just because, nothing quite says celebration like a rich and decadent dessert. But why settle for the same chocolate cake recipe when you can try this Vegan Blood Orange Chocolate Cake?

With fresh blood oranges providing a slight citrusy sweetness in this chocolatey cake, this delicious vegan dessert will have your guests raving!

I'm always excited when blood oranges are in season because I get to make this vegan Chocolate Blood Orange Cake!

After all, who can resist an orange chocolate cake? Rich and moist, it's topped with a layer of blood orange slices, making it a wonderfully indulgent treat.

Not only is it soy-free and nut-free, but it's also surprisingly easy to make – perfect for when you're looking for something special to whip up for the chocolate lover in your life.

So grab some certified organic two-dollar bags of blood oranges like I did so you can try out this delicious cake yourself!

For more delicious and elegant desserts featuring fruit, try my Vegan Plum Cake, Poached Pears in Red Wine, or Vegan Quince Tarte Tatin.

Want more chocolate? Try my vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie, vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, or Vegan Chocolate Fig Cupcakes.

Ingredients

This vegan chocolate orange cake is an absolute dream. You'll need vegan pantry staples such as vegan butter, organic cane sugar, and baking cocoa powder to craft this delicious vegan dessert.

With just a few simple ingredients - and the specific amounts located on the recipe cards below - you can whip up this vegan masterpiece in no time at all.

• Plant-based buttery stick - Use plant-based buttery sticks for greasing the cake pan, such as Earth Balance, Country Crock, or Miyoko's.
• Grapeseed oil - Grapeseed oil was chosen due to its mild taste that won't overpower the oranges or chocolate. If olive oil is more your style, it works too!
• Sea salt - Himalayan or Celtic, as long as it's finely ground.
• Coffee - This enhances the flavor of the chocolate.
• Baking soda and apple cider vinegar help the cake rise.
• Vanilla extract - is essential for most dessert recipes!
• Organic fresh blood oranges - you can use any variety that is available.
• Vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips- mini or regular-size chocolate chips (optional)
• Dutch-process Cocoa or Cacao Powder - I usedGuittard Cocoa Rouge100% Dutch-process cacao.
• All-purpose flour - I prefer unbleached and organic all-purpose flour.

How to make this Vegan Chocolate Blood Orange Cake

This cake is simple to make; here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare the cake pan. Generously with plant-based butter, grease the bottom and sides of an 8 - 9-inch cake pan (or a Cerisetatin panlike the one I have pictured above; I've had it since 2003!). You do not want to skimp on the butter, or the cake might stick to the pan. Next, sprinkle the cane sugar on the bottom of the cake pan for the caramelization of the oranges. Do not sprinkle it on the sides.

Step 2: Cut both ends off each orange and remove the skins with a sharp paring knife. Take care not to remove the flesh of blood oranges; remove the white pith, which is bitter, and the hard skins. Here is a video onhow to cut an orange.

Step 3: Then thinly slice the blood oranges; refer to the photo above for the end result. As you cut the oranges, put them in a small bowl; the juice will collect at the bottom.Save the juice to drink and get your Vitamin C; it's too precious to discard!

Step 4: Make the orange zest and oil mixture.Measure the grapeseed oil—zest one orange and place the orange zest in the oil before preparing the other ingredients.

Step 5: Mix the dry ingredients. Sift the flour, cane sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together and make a well in the middle.

See Also

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipe Round-UpHoliday Fettuccine Alfredo RecipeJalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese Recipe - One Pot Wonder!Quick & Easy Mango Chicken Recipe - Savory Spin

Step 6: Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients.

Step 7: Mix vigorously with a whisk until combined.

Step 8: If adding chocolate chips, add them after the wet and dry ingredients have been combined.

Step 9: Layer the thinly sliced oranges on the pan's bottom; start in the middle and work your way outwards. Try not to overlap the orange slices. If you have any gaps, you can fill them in with the smaller pieces of blood orange.

Step 10: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.

Step 11: Bake immediately in the preheated oven for at least 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs.

How to tell when the cake is done

At this point, the cake edges should be pulled away from the pan. If they're not, continue baking and check every five minutes. If the blood oranges are super fresh and juicy, you may need to bake them longer, up to 55 minutes or more.

Let the cake cool for 30 to 45 minutes. Take a plastic or butter knife and cut at the edges of the cake to loosen it before carefully inverting it onto a cooling rack. Serve when it has thoroughly cooled.

Storage

Let the cake cool completely before storing it in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days in an airtight container.

Are you looking for more vegan dessert recipes? Try these:

Recipe