Christmas Orange Chocolate Bundt Cake with Rich Chocolate Glaze. A festive bundt cake recipe with orange, cocoa, and a luscious chocolate glaze, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Bake a decadent orange chocolate bundt cake with chocolate glaze this Christmas. Simple recipe, festive flavors, and crowd‑pleasing results. It is tender, flavorful, and topped with a rich chocolate glaze spiked with Grand Marnier.
A Festive Showstopper
This cake is more than just dessert-it's a centerpiece. With half the batter flavored with fresh orange zest and juice and the other half rich with cocoa, the two are added in dollops to the bundt pan and gently swirled together. The result? A beautiful marbled effect that looks as good as it tastes, topped with a glossy chocolate glaze for extra indulgence.
A Sweet Holiday Tradition
Every December, my friend and fellow blogger Margaret Kitchen Frau and I come together for our annual holiday baking collaboration. It's a tradition we cherish. Each year we challenge ourselves to create a new festive dessert. In the past, we've baked a classic Bûche de Noël, layered a lovely Christmas trifle, and assembled a whimsical Cookie wreath. This year, we each chose a bundt cake, and mine became this swirled orange-chocolate beauty topped with Grand Marnier glaze and holiday decorations. Margaret's bundt cake paid hommage to her German upbringing: a lovely Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Marzipan Filling.
Sharing these creations has become part of our Christmas celebration, and I love inviting you into this tradition.
Ingredients
Simple ingredients and easy preparation for this Orange and chocolate bundt cake. I am sure you already have most of them in your fridge and pantry.
For the cake:
- All-purpose flour. Better if organic. If you have it, the Italian 00 flour is perfect for cakes.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking powder. I like to use 1 packet (16 g) of the Italian lievito vanigliato, which is baking powder additioned with vanillin.
- Salt
- Cane or granulated sugar. I use raw cane sugar.
- Eggs. Organic, free range, large eggs at room temperature. They don't need to be separated.
- Fresh orange juice. I first zest the organic orange, then squeeze it to get the juice.
- Orange zest. Only from organic oranges, not treated with pesticides.
- Vegetable oil. Any you like. I use peanut oil, sunflower oil, or e.v.o. oil.
- Vanilla extract
The glaze:
- Dark chocolate chips or chunks
- Heavy (whipping) cream
- Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur)
Decoration:
- Dehydrated orange slices or candied orange
- Cinnamon sticks and star anise
- Candied ginger. We cut shapes with a tiny star shaped cookie cutter
- Edible gold balls
Let's make the Orange Chocolate Bundt Cake
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 6-cup bundt pan. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Cream eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 2: Then, add orange zest, vanilla, vegetable oil, and orange juice.
- Step 3: Blend thoroughly, then fold in the flour mixture.
- Step 4: Divide the batter evenly into two bowls (use a scale if you wish). In one, fold in the cocoa powder.
- Step 5: Create the swirl: Add alternating dollops of orange and cocoa batter into the bundt pan.
- Step 6: Use a skewer or knife to gently swirl for a marbled effect.
Bake!
Bake in the preheated oven, on middle rack, for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Take out of the oven and wait 5 minutes before unmolding. Cool completely on a rack before glazing.
The Chocolate Glaze
Place the bundt cake on a cake stand. Or on a rack over a pan to catch the drips of the glaze.
Make the glaze: Heat cream until just simmering, add chocolate chips or chunks, and stir until melted and glossy. Add a teaspoon of Grand Marnier and mix again. Let sit, stirring once in a while, until thickened enough to pour without running through the sides.
Pour glaze over cooled cake.
Garnish with dehydrated oranges, cinnamon sticks, candied ginger, star anise, and gold pearls on top for a festive finish. You could instead candied oranges, sprinkles, rosemary sprigs, or whatever your heart desires.
Why This Cake Steals the Show
- Elegant swirl: Orange and chocolate intertwine beautifully.
- Luxurious glaze: Grand Marnier adds depth and festive flair.
- Decorative magic: The toppings transform it into a holiday centerpiece.
Festive Presentation Idea
For an extra magical touch, place a candle in the center of the bundt cake before serving. The bundt's ring shape naturally frames the candle, creating a warm, glowing centerpiece that doubles as dessert. Just be sure to remove the candle before slicing!
From a dessert to a festive centerpiece
It's almost like having an edible wreath glowing on the holiday table. The swirl inside, the glossy Grand Marnier glaze, the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, ginger cubes, and gold balls all frame the candle perfectly, making it look like a Christmas decoration you can eat.
Serving Suggestions
- Place on a holiday platter surrounded by rosemary sprigs or pine branches for extra Christmas charm.
- Instead of the glaze, dust with powdered sugar for a snowy Christmas look.
- Slice to reveal the gorgeous swirl pattern (each piece is a surprise).
- Serve with mulled wine or spiced tea for a cozy pairing.
A Tradition of Friendship and Festive Baking
There is magic in baking together and sharing the results with loved ones. I hope this recipe inspires you to start your own holiday baking tradition with friends or family. Because the best flavors of Christmas are the ones seasoned with love and laughter.
Happy Holidays!
PrintChristmas Orange Chocolate Bundt Cake with Rich Chocolate Glaze
Christmas Orange Chocolate Bundt Cake with Rich Chocolate Glaze. A festive bundt cake recipe with orange, cocoa, and a luscious glaze, all decorated, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 people 1x
- Category: dessert, cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 150 g cane sugar
- 100 ml vegetable oil (I used peanut oil)
- 1 orange, the zest
- 125 ml orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 260 g all-purpose flour
- 1 package Italian lievito vanigliato (16 g baking powder)
- a pinch of salt
- 20 g unsweetened cocoa
Chocolate ganache:
- 100 g dark chocolate (I mixed two chocolate bars 55 % and 70 % cocoa)
- 100 g whipping (heavy) cream
- 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 6-cup bundt pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Cream eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Then, add orange zest, vanilla, vegetable oil, and orange juice. Blend thoroughly, then fold in the flour mixture.
- Divide the batter evenly into two bowls (you can use a scale or go by eye). In one bowl, fold in the cocoa powder.
- Create the swirl: Add alternating dollops of orange and cocoa batter into the bundt pan.
- Use a skewer or knife to gently swirl for a marbled effect.
- Bake in the preheated oven, on middle rack, for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Take out of the oven and wait 5 minutes before unmolding. Cool completely on a rack before glazing.
- Place on a cake stand.
- Make glaze: Heat cream until just simmering, add chocolate chips or chunks, and stir until melted and glossy. Add a teaspoon of Grand Marnier and mix again.
- Let the glaze sit, stirring once in a while, until firm but still pourable.
- Pour glaze over cooled cake.
- Garnish with dehydrated oranges, cinnamon sticks, candied ginger, star anise, and gold pearls on top for a festive finish. You could instead candied oranges, sprinkles, rosemary sprigs, or whatever your heart desires.
I love baking and kneading dough because it takes me to a happy place in my soul.
Margaret@Kitchen Frau says
This was such a fun day, full of holiday spirit! I love spending the time baking together - the joy and creativity just flow! And your Bundt cake wasn't only a showstopper to look at - it was absolutely delicious! You made it look so easy, too!
Our baking days are so much fun! And the desserts we make are delicious and beautiful! Cannot wait for our next one!