Savor the cozy charm of winter baking with this rich and aromatic Chocolate Orange Loaf. Embrace the vibrant mix of deep cocoa and bright citrus that makes every slice feel both indulgent and refreshing. Enjoy the tender crumb and fragrant orange zest as they pair beautifully with an orange glaze icing drizzled generously over the top. Invite this festive flavor duo into your kitchen and elevate your holiday dessert table with a loaf that feels instantly celebratory.
Ingredients
Find below the list of ingredients used to make my Chocolate Orange Loaf.
- All Purpose Flour
- Cocoa Powder
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Ground Cinnamon
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- Large Eggs
- Vanilla
- Orange Zest and Juice
- Milk
- Icing Sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
Substitutions
- Butter → Vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
- All-purpose flour → Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour for a gluten-free loaf.
- Granulated sugar → Coconut sugar or brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- Orange zest → Lemon zest for a zesty citrus twist.
- Cocoa powder → Carob powder for a caffeine-free alternative.
Variations
- Fold in chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds for crunch.
- Add chocolate chips for a richer chocolate experience.
- Sprinkle the top with candied orange peel for a festive finish.
- Drizzle a chocolate glaze instead of orange glaze for a chocolate-orange combo.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, holiday spice note.
How to make Chocolate Orange Loaf
Preheat your oven to 350F and lightly coat an 8"x4" loaf pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment.
- Combine in a medium bowl, the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir with a whisk to mix and set aside.
- Add to a large mixing bowl, the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream with a whisk or hand blender, until lighter in color. Crack in the eggs, then add in the vanilla and orange zest. Mix until smooth.
- Pour ¼ of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Pour in the orange juice and mix until smooth.
- Continue alternating between adding some of the flour mixture and the milk to the bowl of batter. Mix until batter comes together.
5. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Level off the batter with a spatula for an even rise.
6. Bake the load in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the loaf cool completely.
7. Make the icing by placing the icing sugar in a small mixing bowl. Whisk in a little bit of orange juice into the sugar until your desired consistency and thickness of icing has been reached. Pour over the cooled loaf and let it set before slicing.
Storage
Cool the Chocolate Orange Loaf completely and let the orange glaze fully set before storing. Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain its soft, moist texture. Refrigerate the cake for up to five days if you want it to last longer, and let each slice warm to room temperature before serving. Freeze the loaf by wrapping it tightly and placing it in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge or at room temperature to bring back its fresh, magical flavor.
Recipe
Chocolate Orange Loaf
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter softened
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
- ½ cup Orange Juice
- ¼ cup Milk
Icing Ingredients
- ¾ cup Icing Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Orange Juice adjust for thickness
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F and lightly coat an 8"x4" loaf pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment.
- Combine in a medium bowl, the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir with a whisk to mix and set aside.1 cup All Purpose Flour, ½ cup Cocoa Powder, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Baking Soda, ¼ teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- Add to a large mixing bowl, the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream with a whisk or hand blender, until lighter in color. Crack in the eggs, then add in the vanilla and orange zest. Mix until smooth.½ cup Unsalted Butter, ¾ cup Granulated Sugar, 2 large Eggs, 1 teaspoon Vanilla, 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
- Pour ¼ of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Pour in the orange juice and mix until smooth.½ cup Orange Juice
- Continue alternating between adding some of the flour mixture and the milk to the bowl of batter. Mix until batter comes together.¼ cup Milk
- Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Level off the batter with a spatula for an even rise.
- Bake the load in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the loaf cool completely.
- Make the icing by placing the icing sugar in a small mixing bowl. Whisk in a little bit of orange juice into the sugar until your desired consistency and thickness of icing has been reached. Pour over the cooled loaf and let it set before slicing.¾ cup Icing Sugar, 1 tablespoon Orange Juice
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