Chocolate and Orange Marble Cake

This is actually a chocolate and orange marbled drizzle cake but that made for an unwieldy title. It is a beautiful bake, though, with a very citrusy flavour and good texture.

It’s based on one from Mary Cadogan, who I like because her recipes always work and because she was very gracious about me pinching her candied orange recipe, which features as an element in my version of this cake. (You can leave it out to no ill effect if you don’t have any.)

It’s one of those whisk-it-all-together recipes, therefore quick and easy enough for you to make with your kids, if you’re so inclined. This would mean you’d be obliged to share it with them, though, rather than hiding it in a tin and smuggling out slices to eat with your coffee while they’re safely at school. Up to you.

Chocolate and Orange Marble Cake

  • Servings: cuts into 8-10 slices
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Ingredients:

140g softened butter

200g self raising flour

1 1/2 tspn baking powder

200g golden caster sugar

3 large eggs

6 tbsp milk

3 level tbsp cocoa powder

40g dark chocolate chips

Zest of 1 orange + 1 tbsp juice

40g candied orange peel

For the drizzle:

3 tbsp orange juice

50g golden caster sugar

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/350F/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line the base of a 1.2 litre loaf tin.

In a large bowl, beat together the first six ingredients until light and fluffy, easiest with an electric whisk.

Decant half of the mixture into a second bowl and mix through the cocoa powder, followed by the chocolate chips. Stir the orange zest and juice and candied peel into the first bowl.

Now spoon alternate dollops into the loaf tin, swirling with a skewer to marble each layer. Don’t overdo it or you won’t see the pattern. Level the top and bake for 40-50 minutes until golden and firm to the touch.

While it’s cooking, heat the drizzle ingredients in a small pan, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. When the cake is cooked, remove it from the oven and spoon over the drizzle. Allow to cool in the tin then remove to a rack to cool completely.

You can drizzle the top with melted chocolate but I’m inclined to think in this case it’s overkill. It’s your cake though! Go for broke if it makes you happy.

14 thoughts on “Chocolate and Orange Marble Cake

  1. Oh this sounds wonderful … want right now for breakfast ‼️ I’m in Canada and we don’t have golden caster sugar – should I use regular white or mix some with light brown sugar ? Thanks and cheers

  2. Please, please tell me what to do with self-rising flour.
    I live in rural Guatemala & have never heard of self-rising flour.

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