Upside Down Choco-Orange Cake: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dessert
Welcome to a delightful journey of sweet and citrusy indulgence with this Upside Down Choco-Orange Cake. Imagine biting into a soft, moist cake with a burst of chocolate and orange flavors, perfectly balanced with the caramelized goodness of Demerara sugar and fresh oranges. This cake brings together the best of both worlds – the rich decadence of chocolate and the zesty freshness of oranges – creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.
Whether you’re preparing this for a family dessert, a special occasion, or a teatime treat, this cake is sure to impress. Let’s dive right in and discover how to create this scrumptious delight step by step.
Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Total Time: 58 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Continental
Course: Dessert
Diet: Eggetarian
Ingredients
For the Topping:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 4 tablespoons |
| Demerara Brown Sugar | 1/3 cup |
| Oranges (sliced) | 3 whole oranges |
For the Cake:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vivatta Maida (All-purpose flour) | 90 grams |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 90 grams |
| Baking Powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Baking Soda | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Orange Zest (Rind) | 1 tablespoon |
| Unsalted Butter | 140 grams |
| Granulated Sugar | 150 grams |
| Fresh Orange Juice | 3/4 cup (divided) |
| Whole Eggs | 2 |
| Chocolate Chips | 1/2 cup |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Topping
To begin, prepare the topping for the upside-down cake.
- Melt Butter: In a medium-sized pan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Keep a close watch to avoid burning.
- Add Demerara Sugar: Once the butter is melted, add the Demerara brown sugar to the pan. Let the mixture come to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 1 minute until the sugar starts to caramelize.
- Caramelize: Remove the pan from the heat once the sugar has melted and turned a golden caramel color.
- Coat the Pan: Pour the caramelized sugar mixture into a round springform pan. Tilt the pan gently to ensure that the sugar coats the bottom evenly. Set it aside to cool and harden.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake
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Sift the Dry Ingredients: Sift together 90 grams of Vivatta maida (all-purpose flour), 90 grams of whole wheat flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Sifting aerates the flour, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cake. Once sifted, gently mix in the orange zest.
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Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine 140 grams of unsalted butter and 150 grams of granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed until light and fluffy.
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Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs, one at a time, to the sugar-butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
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Add Orange Juice: Gradually add 3/4 cup of fresh orange juice, beating until everything is well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
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Arrange Orange Slices: Slice the 3 oranges into thin rounds. Arrange these slices over the caramelized mixture in the bottom of the baking pan. Start from the center of the pan, working your way outwards, overlapping each slice slightly to create a beautiful, circular design.
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Combine Cake Ingredients: Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently to combine until the batter is smooth and well-mixed.
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Fold in Chocolate Chips: Toss 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a little bit of flour (about 1 tablespoon of maida) and fold them into the batter. Coating the chocolate chips in flour helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
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Pour the Batter: Pour the prepared cake batter gently over the orange slices, spreading it evenly to cover the slices completely.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Once the oven has reached the correct temperature, place the cake pan on the middle rack.
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Bake the Cake: Bake the cake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a cake tester or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden on top and firm to the touch.
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Cool: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes in the pan.
Step 5: Invert the Cake
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Invert the Cake: Carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter while it is still warm. This step is crucial because the caramelized sugar will harden as it cools, making it difficult to remove from the pan later. Using a springform pan makes this step easier, but be cautious as the caramel may be hot.
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Serve: Let the cake cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Serving Suggestions
This Upside Down Choco-Orange Cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of Maple Roasted Cinnamon Spiced Latte for a relaxing teatime experience. The cake’s sweetness and citrusy notes complement the warm, spiced flavors of the latte, creating a cozy and indulgent moment.
Baking Tips
- Fresh Oranges: Make sure to use fresh, juicy oranges for the best flavor. The orange zest adds a natural citrusy fragrance that elevates the cake’s taste.
- Prevent Chocolate Chips from Sinking: Tossing the chocolate chips in flour before folding them into the batter helps keep them suspended in the cake, ensuring they don’t all sink to the bottom.
- Use a Springform Pan: If you don’t have a springform pan, any round cake pan will do, but the springform pan makes the inverted cake easier to remove without damaging the orange slices or the caramel topping.
- Test for Doneness: Every oven is different, so make sure to check the cake with a skewer or toothpick at the 35-minute mark to ensure it is baked through.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 345 kcal |
| Protein | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 55g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugars | 40g |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 65mg |
| Sodium | 170mg |
| Potassium | 200mg |
| Vitamin A | 15% of Daily Value |
| Vitamin C | 35% of Daily Value |
| Calcium | 4% of Daily Value |
| Iron | 8% of Daily Value |
Conclusion
This Upside Down Choco-Orange Cake is the perfect fusion of flavors and textures – the rich chocolate chips, tangy orange slices, and the caramelized sweetness of Demerara sugar make for a truly memorable dessert. Its beautiful presentation, with the orange slices forming a stunning pattern, makes it ideal for any occasion. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and a joy to bake. Enjoy this delightful dessert with your loved ones, and don’t forget to share the recipe with friends!
