Decadent Chocolate-Orange Angel Food Cake
Indulge in the light, airy bliss of this Decadent Chocolate-Orange Angel Food Cake, inspired by Paul Newman's classic recipe. With the perfect combination of rich orange-flavored dark chocolate and the refreshing zest of fresh orange rind, this dessert is a delightful treat that's sure to impress. Each slice offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, making it a fantastic end to any meal. The cake is not only visually stunning but also has a cloud-like texture that melts in your mouth. Perfect for celebrations or to elevate your everyday dessert experience. Serve it plain for a simple sophistication, or elevate it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy every bite of this unforgettable masterpiece!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Orange-flavored dark chocolate
4 ounces (Grated)
Large egg whites
12 (Separated and at room temperature)
All-purpose flour
1 cup (Sifted)
Sugar
1 1/4 cups (Divided)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Lemon juice
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Vanilla extract
3 teaspoons (N/A)
Orange rind
1 tablespoon (Grated or freshly chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare a clean, dry, and grease-free 10" x 4" tube pan.
3
Grate the orange-flavored dark chocolate using the fine holes of a cheese grater; avoid using a citrus grater.
4
Separate the egg whites from the yolks and allow them to reach room temperature for about 15 minutes.
5
Sift the all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and salt together onto a piece of waxed paper. Repeat this sifting process three times to aerate the mixture.
6
In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until they become frothy. Add the lemon juice and continue to beat until soft peaks form.
7
Gradually sprinkle in the remaining cup of sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, while beating the egg whites at medium speed until they become glossy and hold soft peaks.
8
Carefully sift 1/4 cup of the flour mixture over the beaten egg whites, then gently fold it in using a spatula. Add the vanilla extract and grated orange rind, folding until just combined.
9
Alternately fold in the grated chocolate and the remaining dry ingredients in small batches until thoroughly incorporated. Be gentle to maintain the fluffiness of the batter.
10
Pour the batter into the prepared tube pan, smoothing the top evenly.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes or until the cake is lightly browned and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
12
Remove from the oven and immediately invert the pan to cool completely, about 30 to 45 minutes.
13
Once cooled, use a knife to carefully run along the edges and the center tube to loosen the cake before removing it from the pan.
14
Serve the cake plain, topped with whipped cream, or alongside a scoop of ice cream for a luxurious finish. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Decadent Chocolate-Orange Angel Food Cake?
It is a light and airy dessert inspired by Paul Newman's classic recipe, featuring the flavors of orange-flavored dark chocolate and fresh orange zest.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by Paul Newman's classic angel food cake recipe.
What kind of chocolate should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of orange-flavored dark chocolate.
How should the chocolate be prepared?
The chocolate should be grated using the fine holes of a cheese grater; avoid using a citrus grater for this step.
How many egg whites are needed for this cake?
You will need 12 large egg whites for this recipe.
What temperature should the egg whites be when starting?
The egg whites should be allowed to reach room temperature for about 15 minutes after being separated from the yolks.
What type of pan is required for an angel food cake?
You need a clean, dry, and grease-free 10-inch by 4-inch tube pan.
Should I grease the cake pan?
No, the tube pan must be grease-free to allow the cake to climb the walls and rise properly.
How many times should I sift the dry ingredients?
The flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and salt should be sifted together three times to properly aerate the mixture.
At what temperature should I preheat my oven?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
When do I add the lemon juice?
Add the lemon juice to the egg whites once they have been beaten until frothy.
How much sugar is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 cups of sugar in total, which is divided between the sifting and beating stages.
How should the sugar be added to the egg whites?
Gradually sprinkle in the remaining cup of sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, while beating at medium speed.
What consistency should the egg whites reach after adding sugar?
They should be beaten until they become glossy and hold soft peaks.
How do I incorporate the flour mixture?
Carefully sift 1/4 cup of the flour mixture over the whites and gently fold it in using a spatula.
When is the orange rind added?
The orange rind is added along with the vanilla extract after the first portion of the flour mixture is folded in.
How much orange rind is required?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of grated or freshly chopped orange rind.
How is the grated chocolate added to the batter?
Alternately fold in the grated chocolate and the remaining dry ingredients in small batches until incorporated.
Why is it important to be gentle when folding the ingredients?
Gentle folding is necessary to maintain the fluffiness and airiness of the egg white batter.
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cake should bake for approximately 45 minutes.
How can I tell if the cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when it is lightly browned and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
What is the first step after removing the cake from the oven?
Immediately invert the pan to let the cake cool completely while upside down.
How long does the cake need to cool?
The cake should cool for about 30 to 45 minutes before removal from the pan.
How do I remove the cooled cake from the tube pan?
Use a knife to carefully run along the outer edges and the center tube to loosen the cake.
What are the serving suggestions for this cake?
It can be served plain, with a dollop of whipped cream, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients used in this recipe.
What is the texture of the Decadent Chocolate-Orange Angel Food Cake?
The cake has a cloud-like, light, and airy texture that melts in your mouth.
Does this recipe use vanilla extract?
Yes, it uses 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Is this cake suitable for celebrations?
Yes, its visually stunning appearance and sophisticated flavor make it an excellent choice for celebrations.
Can I use a citrus grater for the chocolate?
The recipe specifically advises against using a citrus grater for the chocolate, recommending a cheese grater instead.