When you “surf” the web in search of wonderful foodie sites, you come across some of the most interesting challenges, giveaways, bake offs, and cook offs. At least to a bake-a-holic, this exercise is thrilling. On one of my “surfing” days, I came across the blog “Sweet and Simple Bakes“. These two ladies offer a recipe every month for anyone and everyone to bake and present the result in a blog post. But you certainly don’t have to have a blog. You can bake along with the group just because you enjoy baking and still send in your photos.
For July 1st, Rosie and Maria chose Chocolate Orange Drizzle Loaf Cake. Please click on this link for the recipe. I used unsalted butter plus 2 TBS canola oil since I was 2 TBS short on the butter. I also added 1/2 tsp baking powder to my flour.
The batter was unbelievably light and fluffy.
The grated fresh orange was so subtle in this cake. It wasn’t overly orange, just a detectable “hint” on the palette.
I used a spatula to put the batter in the large loaf pan lined on the bottom with parchment paper and sprayed with non-stick baking spray. The orange syrup was very easy to make, just like I make all my cake washes. The only difference between my standard sugar-water wash and this orange wash was that it didn’t use water. The wash was 1/2 cup sugar and the juice of an orange which worked out to be just under 1/2 a cup. I boiled the wash for 3 minutes and let cool while the loaf was baking in a 350 F oven for 40 minutes.

The delicate crumb for a loaf cake
The topping was equally easy to make, although I did change it a bit. I melted 8 sections of this little beauty (double the orange flavor!) and drizzled over the loaf cake.
This is a recipe anyone can make and enjoy. The cake just melts in your mouth. It can’t possibly be bad for you because it makes your tongue so happy and that goes straight to your head. All those happy, happy feelings in the brain lead to a longer life, right? Eat cake – it’s good for the brain.
Both Ted and I agreed, this wasn’t too sweet, not too orangey, nothing stood out to take over. It was just a great all around loaf cake for any occasion.
Great recipe Rosie and Marie. What’s up for next month. I’m excited!
Hi Joanne, your drizzle cake looks amazing and I adore the chocolate curls, sugar flowers – such a thing of beauty!!
I like the idea of using Terrys chocolate for the topping, basking in orange flavours – yum.
Thank you SO much for taking part in this S&SB moth’s bake and I do hope you will join us in our next bake!!
Best wishes Rosie x
I baked this cake too. Your looks very tempting and delicious..
What beautiful chocolate curls and a great idea to use orange flavored chocolate. Truly taking it up a notch! 🙂
There are few flavor combinations I enjoy more than chocolate and orange! I am practically drooling on my keyboard right now LOL Seriously, no one around here understands why I love that so much, but the two together are delicious. I can only imagine how wonderful that cake is!
Wow, your cake came out beautifully – I love the chocolate curls, especially the white ones – it works really well with the darker chocolate. Nice touch.
And Chocolate Orange…brilliant! I briefly thought about adding a spoon of juice to my melted chocolate for some added oompf but decided not to in case it made it too orangey. With hindsight I don’t know what I was thinking – is there any such thing as ‘too orangey’ after all?!
I love how you decorated this cake!
This looks absolutely beautiful and great idea to use Terry’s Chocolate Orange – why did the thought not occur to me?!
Can’t get over how pretty this looks with the curls and the flowers. And I’m pretty sure it will have tasted as good as it looks!
WOOOW!! This cake looks incredible and I definitely plan on giving this a try sometime!! YUM!
Cake looks pretty! We enjoyed ours too! Thanks for dropping by my blog! And I love your frosting!
the texture of the cake – looks great.
the white chocolate curls are wonderful.
WOW!!!
Ah this looks soo good, very nicely decorated!!
I want some of that, no, all of it. SEND IT UP HERE!
Nice job on the chocolate shavings, they are always a lil bit of a pain in the arse/cutting oneself/breaking/melting, etc.
the cake looks fantastic!!!!….i like your decorations…so nice….the cake and the decorations will make people carving for more…
You are a very busy person! Your training is evident; your cake is so appealing to the eye. It looks like it will taste wonderful!
Beautiful, beautiful cake.
Hi Joanne
A warm welcome to Sweet and Simple Bakes, so glad you found us!
Your cake turned out beautiful and using Terry’s Chocolate Orange is perfect for this cake!!
Thanks for taking part and hope you will join us again.
Maria
x
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