Chocolate Orange Hidden Loaf Cake
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As much as I am here to share recipes that will help inspire and motivate those new and also the experienced baker, I have to be honest...
... I was so terrified making this bake. Even if it didn’t come out right, I would have had a perfectly tasty loaf to share, but oh my, the stress was unreal. Anyone who bakes for their blog will know what I mean. Luckily enough, not only does my loaf cake taste absolutely delicious but doesn't it just look so wonderful?
Hidden cakes have always fascinated me. It was one of those bakes I would constantly just try and work out; I had always assumed it would be something like witchcraft putting it all together. Have you ever had a few spare moments, so decide to watch a few videos on Instagram? 30 minutes later and you're still watching a continuous chain of videos? Well, that's how I found out how a hidden cake was actually made. I do love gathering inspiration from those videos, although most of what I see is definitely out of my baking capabilities.
It's honestly not hard at all. It just takes a lot of patience and steady hands. First of all, you need to find your cutter. It can be any festive shape you like, but it needs to be no higher than 7cm. Nothing too small either, or with too delicate details. Bake your chocolate loaf first in a 2lb tin, and once it's done, let it cool completely - overnight is always best, but sometimes that's not time efficient, (or you really want to eat your loaf) so you can cool it in the fridge. Slice the loaf, and using your cutter, carefully cut out your shape. With any leftover cake, add the firm top from a can of coconut milk to make cake pops, or someone once told me that baking makes you very hungry so a light cakey snack is always needed. Leave the gingerbread slices in the freezer while you prepare your orange loaf batter.
Carefully, line your gingerbread in the centre of your loaf tin all the way through so they're touching tightly on both ends. You can pour a little batter at the bottom of your tin first, but I like the gingerbreads feet placed firmly at the bottom. Pour the orange batter around and onto the top of the gingerbread making sure it's level. This takes a little longer to bake, but it will all be worth it.
Now, let's talk about flavours!
The batter for both the initial loaves start off the exact same way. For the gingerbread loaf, we add cocoa powder and a little extra vanilla to help keep it moist. For the main loaf, we add a little Valencian orange natural extract. This extract gives the cake a lovely fresh and zesty taste and doesn't taste artificial at all. I know you can use an actual orange for this, but if fresh oranges aren't in season, or you want more of a pungent taste, I'd recommend an extract. This was sent to me by Dr Oetker, along with lots of other baking ingredients. It honestly felt like Christmas had come early, and it inspired me to just keep baking.
To decorate the loaf, I drizzled over a very simple icing. What makes the cake is the decorations. I sprinkled over some more of my favourite festive sprinkles from Baking Time Club, zest from an orange, and grated a little chocolate too. Once the icing had set, I sliced a few fresh oranges. What I love most about this, is after a day or so, the orange slices start to melt into the icing creating a soft orangy syrup that will absorb through the top of the loaf. This is absolutely delicious. It's so moist and light and full of fresh flavours.
This loaf has been a big hit amongst those who have tried it. I've got to admit that my bakes weren't completed in order as I post them, and this was one of the last bakes. A large percentage have said this has been their favourite bake during blogmas, so very high standards here. If you're looking for a cake to slice that will impress during Christmas parties, or even on Christmas day, this recipe is for you.
VEGAN CHOCOLATE ORANGE HIDDEN LOAF CAKE
This recipe makes 8-10 hidden slices.- 230ml / 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 20ml / 1 tbsp + 1 tsp cider vinegar
- 100g / 1/2 cup soft butter
- 200g / 1 1/2 cup caster sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 280g / 2 cup self-raising flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt ORANGE LOAF
- 230ml / 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 20ml / 1 tbsp + 1 tsp cider vinegar
- 100g / 1/2 cup soft butter
- 200g / 1 1/2 cup caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp orange extract
- 280g / 2 cup self-raising flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt ICING
- 200g / 1 1/2 cup icing sugar
- Non-dairy milk
- 1 tsp orange extract
- Orange slices, orange peels, and sprinkles to decorate
INGREDIENTS
CHOCOLATE LOAF- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / 160°C(fan) / 350°F / gas mark 4. Lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin.
- In a small bowl, mix together the dairy-free milk and apple cider vinegar, and leave to curdle - this will be the buttermilk.
- In a large bowl, cream together using a hand or standing whisk the butter and caster sugar until it is light and fluffy.
- Add in the vanilla extract and buttermilk and continue to whisk. Sift over the self-raising flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder.
- Pour the batter into your greased tin, and cook for 45-50 minutes until springy to touch, and a knife comes out clean. Leave to cool on a cooling rack.
- Once the cake has completely cooled, slice into 1.5cm rounds, and using your cutter, cut your gingerbread. Leave in the freezer to slightly set while you make your orange batter.
- Repeat points 1-4 leaving out the cocoa powder, and adding in the orange extract.
- Line your gingerbread men in the centre making sure they're touching the tin at both ends. Pour in your batter filling around and on top of you gingerbread. Cook for 55-60 minutes. Leave to cool on a cooling rack.
- To make your icing, add the orange extact and a drop of milk each time to the icing sugar until it is pourable, but still slightly thick. Decorate with sprinkles and peels, and once the icing has set, add the sliced oranges.
INSTRUCTIONS
Let me know in comments below what your thoughts are on this hidden loaf? Have you ever baked anything with a hidden surprise inside, let me know! Can you believe this is the 5th bake? We have plenty more tasty festive goodness to come, and check the advent calendar for all you have missed.
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