My grandmother loves fruit with chocolate. You name it, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered cherries, chocolate covered bananas, basically if you cover any fruit in chocolate, she’s happy.
Every Mother’s day, birthday, and Hanukkah I always go to my local chocolate shop and get her orangettes which I have learned are French for chocolate covered orange peel.
And here I thought the famous blog Orangette was a made up word like Bakerella (which I am assuming is a pun on Barbarella). Who knew?
Anyway, since it was winter, I wanted to make something with citrus. Winter is the best time for citrus afterall. So what better idea than to make something as a tribute to the matriarch of our family.
And really who doesn’t love a bundt, especially with ganache. This one’s for you Mom-mom!
Yields 12-
Save RecipeIngredients
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks), plus enough to grease the pan
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups flour mix A or B
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sour cream
Juice of 1 navel orange (approx. 1/4 cup)
Zest or 2 navel oranges (approx. 1 1/2 tablespoons)
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
3/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Position the rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour (with brown or white rice flour) one 12-cup Bundt pan.
- Put the semi-sweet chocolate, butter and water in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it for 1 minute at 50% power.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the mixture until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. The chocolate, since it is hot, will continue to melt. If the mixture is not yet smooth, place it back in the microwave at 30 second intervals (50% power) stirring after each one until the mixture is shiny and smooth. Tip: Only heat chocolate until it is almost melted. It will continue melting as you stir. Few things smell as bad as burnt chocolate. It lingers. Eew.
- Add the cocoa powder. Stir until cocoa is dissolved and set aside to cool.
- Whisk together the the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and orange zest in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs a few seconds on medium speed. Then add both sugars and whip until light and very thick (about 3-4 minutes). Scrape down the bowl.
- Add the vanilla extract and orange juice to the eggs and beat until the mixture forms a wide ribbon when the beater is lifted out. Scrape down the bowl.
- Turn the mixer down to low and add the chocolate mixture and sour cream and beat until combined. Scrape down the bowl.
- Add the flour mixture in three parts. Beat each of the three additions until thoroughly combined. Note: You have to be careful not to "over" mix when using wheat flour. If you activate too much gluten, your cake will be tough. However, over mixing is not an issue when you use gluten-free flours. There is no gluten to over activate!
- Pour half of the batter into the pan and sprinkle the 2 ounces of finely chopped bittersweet chocolate over it. Fill the pan with the remaining batter. Bang down the pan a few times to level the batter and burst any air bubbles.
- Bake for 60 to 70 mins. Cool on rack for 15 minutes before unmolding. Cool completely before icing.
- Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl.
- Heat the cream on low until it just comes to a simmer.
- Remove from the heat and pour the cream over the chocolate. Allow to sit for about 10 to 15 seconds.
- Whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the alcohol.
- Allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Mixture should be a little thick, but still pourable.
- Place the cooling rack with the cake on top of a cookie sheet.
- Pour the cooled ganache over the cake. Let it drip down the sides.
- Remove the cake to a serving plate once the ganache has set (about 30 minutes.)
This month’s post is my first contribution to Tea Time Treats, a monthly challenge hosted by Lavender and Lovage and The Hedgecombers. This month’s challenge is “Chocolate” and is hosted by Karen of Lavender and Lovage. Check out the other great recipes at:
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