The nuclear orange glow was created with food coloring for the season's orange & black color scheme; the next time I make this (and oh there will be many next times) I'll leave the food coloring alone. The orange flavoring comes from orange zest and juice and is sooo nice with the chocolate.
One warning, double the recipe to make a layer cake; I really expected this to make more than it did. (When do I leave "beginner stage"? :) )
Orange Cake (recipe from here with minor alterations by me)
1 1/2 c. flour plus 1 tbsp.
3/4 c. sugar
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened, plus 1 tbsp.
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
Zest from 2 oranges
Juice from 1 orange
3 eggs
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour an 8-inch cake pan; set aside.
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir into butter and sugar mixture along with orange zest and juice.
Baking time: about 30 minutes; check frequently after that.
Ganache: (from here
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth.
Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring over a cake. Start at the center of the cake and work outward. For a fluffy frosting or chocolate filling, allow it to cool until thick, then whip with a whisk until light and fluffy.
Ganache is my new BFF.
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