Description
Chocolate and orange dance harmoniously in this luscious chocolate orange cheesecake layer cake, a dessert that whispers luxury with each delectable slice. Rich chocolate sponge embraces creamy cheesecake, while zesty orange notes elevate you to a realm of pure indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup orange juice
Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
Topping and Decoration:
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream (for ganache)
Instructions
- Craft chocolate cake batter according to package directions, evenly distributing between two round cake pans. Bake at 350F (175C) following package instructions.
- Whip cream cheese with sugar and orange zest until silky and uniform. Incorporate eggs and orange juice, blending thoroughly until mixture is smooth and integrated.
- Transfer cheesecake mixture into a prepared springform pan. Bake at 325F (163C) for approximately 40 minutes, ensuring center is set and slightly firm to touch.
- Allow chocolate cake layers and cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, preventing potential structural breakdown during assembly.
- Carefully position orange cheesecake layer between the two chocolate cake rounds, creating a precise and balanced vertical profile.
- Prepare ganache by gently heating heavy cream until microscopic bubbles form around edges of saucepan. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate chips.
- Stir ganache mixture continuously until achieving a glossy, uniform consistency with no visible chocolate fragments.
- Generously drizzle warm ganache over assembled cake, ensuring even coverage and allowing excess to cascade down sides naturally.
- Refrigerate cake for minimum 30 minutes, permitting ganache to solidify and flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
- Prevent cake from sticking by thoroughly greasing and flouring cake pans, or using parchment paper liners.
- Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smoother, lump-free cheesecake filling.
- Chill the cheesecake layer completely before assembling to maintain structural integrity and clean layering.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the chocolate cake mix with a gluten-free alternative or homemade gluten-free chocolate cake recipe.
- Create a more intense orange flavor by adding a splash of orange liqueur to the cheesecake mixture or ganache.
- Prevent ganache from breaking by using high-quality chocolate and stirring gently while adding hot cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 484 kcal
- Sugar: 44 g
- Sodium: 318 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 122 mg