Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar, packed
  • Zest of one large orange
  • Juice of one large orange (about ⅔ cup or roughly ~120ml)
  • br2 cup (60ml) vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
  • br2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • br4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • br1 cup (100g) ground almonds or almond meal
  • Optional for topping: sliced almonds and chocolate shavings

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a round cake pan with cooking spray or butter, then line the bottom with parchment paper for easier removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Add in the zest of the orange and mix until fragrant.
  4. To the sugar mixture, add the fresh orange juice, vegetable oil/coconut oil, vanilla extract, and eggs. Whisk vigorously until you achieve a smooth batter.
  5. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined—be careful not to overmix!
  6. Gently fold in ground almonds to create a rich texture.
  7. Pour your batter into the prepared cake pan evenly and tap it gently to remove any air bubbles.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with only moist crumbs attached.
  9. Once baked through, remove from oven and let cool in pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. (Optional) Decorate with sliced almonds on top while still warm if desired and drizzle melted chocolate over once cooled fully for an elegant finish!