A stunning three layer keto chocolate cake with a touch of orange extract and a gorgeous chocolate drip glaze. This is a low carb dessert worthy of your time! This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill.
Prefer a classic version? Be sure to check out my keto chocolate cake recipe.
Talk to me, keto bakeaholics! Talk to me about the joy you get in the kitchen when you set about to make a glorious keto dessert that it going to wow your friends and family.
Talk to me about how good it feels when that dessert comes together perfectly, and looks just like you imagined in your head. And when it tastes as divine as you had hoped.
There is no better feeling in the world, I think. I’d even venture to say that it’s rather addictive. It’s that feeling that keeps us returning to the kitchen again and again. Baking is my drug of choice.
Well, this luscious Keto Chocolate Orange Cake was one of THOSE desserts. I sketched it out in my brain weeks before I started. I had a vision, if you will. And I think the photos show just how much it lived up to my vision.
Chocolate Orange Cake Inspiration
As you are probably well aware, I get much of my baking inspiration from Pinterest, and it was this gorgeous cake from Wilton that caught my eye.
Those stunning layers of chocolate cake, that rich chocolate frosting, and the chocolate glaze, all tinged with a hint of orange – how could I resist? I loved the rectangular shape, as well. A nice change from the typical round layer cake.
Terry’s chocolate oranges were an oft-shared Christmas treat when I was growing up. And this keto chocolate cake embodies that flavor without the resulting sugar high.
Nut-Free Keto Chocolate Cake Recipe
For the chocolate cake layers, I decided to use my classic keto chocolate cupcakes recipe. That recipe happens to be coconut flour-based, making this elegant keto cake completely nut-free. Hooray for those of you with nut sensitivities!
Of course, I couldn’t do it without my friends from Bob’s Red Mill and their awesome organic coconut flour. It’s so consistent, I know I can trust it for great results. I use it in all of my coconut flour recipes and it hasn’t failed me yet.
And trust me when I say it makes the best keto bagels! And my keto pancake bites are always a hit with the kids.
Learn all the tips and tricks for baking with coconut flour.
What is a crumb coat?
Now let’s get into a little technical baking talk, shall we? Learning about a crumb coat is going to help many of you when making keto cake recipes.
To create a rectangular cake, I baked it in a 9×13 pan and cut it into 3 even layers, each about 4 ⅓ inches wide.
But cutting a cake this way means that the sides are extra crumby, and those crumbs can get into your frosting. If you’re a cake perfectionist, having little specks in your frosting is likely to drive you nuts.
Enter the crumb coat. A crumb coat is simply a thin layer of frosting spread over the sides of the cake first – so thin, you can usually see much of the cake through it. This helps smooth down the crumby bits so that they don’t stick to your offset spatula when you spread on the remaining frosting.
I recommend switching spatulas or cleaning your spatula before applying the second layer of frosting, to reduce the crumbs even more.
Tips for Keto Chocolate Orange Cake
This is an elegant keto layer cake that takes some effort to put together. But trust me, the effort is worth it! Here are my best tips for getting it right:
- Be sure to line the bottom of your bake pan with parchment paper. This will make it much easier to get out of the pan so you can cut three even layers.
- I recommend a combination of both orange and vanilla extract. Sometimes orange flavourings can be a touch bitter and a bit of vanilla helps mellow them out.
- Feel free to do another flavor altogether! Mint would be lovely in this cake too.
- Be sure to do the crumb coat on the sides, as outlined above. It will really make a difference to the smoothness of your frosting.
- When a recipe such as this one specifies room temperature ingredients, make sure you follow it. It’s important for a smooth batter and a smooth frosting.
- The drip glaze specifies two different sweeteners. This is because using only erythritol (like Swerve) can cause the glaze to recrystallize a bit when refrigerated. A bit of BochaSweet (or allulose) can keep it looking shiny and smooth. But if you can’t find it or don’t want to use it, all Swerve will still be great.
- Thin slices of orange as garnish make for a stunning cake. I didn’t eat them so they aren’t included in the nutritional information.
- For long strands of orange zest to decorate, use a cocktail zester.
- The cake is best stored in the fridge but I think it tastes best at room temperature. So cut a slice using a sharp knife (heat it up for cleaner slices) and let it sit out a few minutes before serving.
More keto orange flavored recipes
- Keto Cranberry Orange Scones
- Keto Cardamom Orange Biscotti
- Keto Chocolate Orange Spritz Cookies
- Keto Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake
- Keto Orange Olive Oil Cake
- Keto Orange Cheesecake Mousse
Keto Chocolate Orange Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- ⅔ cup coconut flour (73g)
- ⅔ cup Swerve Sweetener
- 6 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
- ¼ cup unflavored whey protein powder
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, melted and cooled
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup water more if needed
Frosting
- 2 ½ ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1 to 1 ½ teaspoon orange extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
Drip Glaze
- 6 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoon powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1 tablespoon powdered BochaSweet (or an additional tablespoon Swerve)
Garnish
- Thinly sliced orange
- Long strands of orange zest
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 inch metal rectangular pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper (cut to fit) and grease the paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, sweetener, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in the butter, eggs, orange extract, and vanilla extract. Stir in the water until the batter is smooth. If the batter is overly thick, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until it thins out. It should be thick but still pourable out of the bowl.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the cake has risen and the top is firm to the touch. Remove and let cool in the pan.
- Once the cake has cooled, run a sharp knife around the sides to loosen and flip it out onto a cutting board. Cut the cake crosswise into three even pieces.
Frosting
- Place the chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until melted.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Beat in the sweetener and extracts, then add the melted chocolate and beat until well combined.
- Beat in the cream. Add more cream as necessary to achieve a spreadable consistency.
To Assemble
- Place one section of the cake on a cake platter. Spread the top with about ¼ of the frosting. Repeat with the remaining two layers of cake.
- Use some of the frosting to crumb coat the sides of the cake (see the crumb coat section in blog post). Then spread the remaining frosting evenly over the sides of the cake.
Chocolate Drip Glaze
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let sit a few minutes to melt.
- Add the sweeteners and whisk to combine. Let cool a few minutes to thicken, and then slowly pour over the top of the cake along the edges, letting it drip down the sides.
- Smooth the glaze over the top of the cake.
Garnish
- Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes, then use thinly sliced oranges and strands of orange zest to decorate as desired.
Marky says
Can I use something in place of the whey? Is it similar to something else?
Carolyn says
Egg white protein powder works well.
Kathy Cooke says
This cake is simply amazing, and it was really fun to make too! The chocolate orange flavor is delightful, and the cake is so beautiful. I made it as written using the upper amount of orange extract. I had some leftover frosting, so I scooped it into molds and froze it for fat bombs. I baked the cake in an 8×11” pan, so I got a nice, tall layer cake. This cake looks and tastes seriously impressive.
Silvia says
Hi! I dont have the protein powder can i make it with out it?
Carolyn says
Please watch this to understand why protein powder helps keto cakes: https://youtu.be/8SA_iBl0pUU
Cate says
I love the flavours but, my cake is very dry. I guess i may have over cooked it which is a pity. It looks amazing. I will adjust the time and keep it at the lower end of the cook time. Other than that, the cream is super sweet, a tad less sweetener. Over all a winner.
Carolyn says
Yes, sounds like you did over-bake it a bit.
Amber Rowland says
I made this tonight and I don’t know how your layers look so thick and that you got 3 of them cuz mine will prob make maybe 2 thin ones. I am a semi professional baker so I know i didn’t do anything weird lol but this is one short cake
Carolyn says
I am confused. If you baked it in the recommended pan, then all you have to do is cut it into 3 even layers. And if it didn’t rise enough… then you are using something incorrect, in terms of ingredients. Hard to say what, when I am not in your kitchen with you. The trouble is that keto baking isn’t AT ALL like regular baking so your experience has really no bearing on it. I had to re-learn EVERYTHING.
Sheryl says
Oh yummy
Rosa says
Hi Carolyn!
This looks AMAZING! I am planning to make this for Christmas.
I am not a huge fan of chocolate orange but I do love chocolate. If I omit the orange extract, do you think I could use coffee in the cake in place of the water to really play up the chocolate flavor? Or would 1/2 cup be too much coffee?
Thanks in advance! I enjoy all of your recipes.
Carolyn says
You can use coffee for the water, that would be great.
Gillian Oldridge says
Hi
Can’t wait to try this…
Can leftovers be stored in the freezer?
Carolyn says
Sure, it should freeze well.
Betsy says
Gorgeous cake! Mine don’t come out nearly as pretty, but the taste is great! 🙂
Carolyn says
I am sure it looked fabulous!
Lisalia says
Stoked to find your awesome recipe for chocolate cake. I NEVER feel deprived on keto while using your recipes!!
Toni Dash says
This is so good and delicious!! Everyone at my house was impressed!
Philis says
Is it possible to use half & Half instead of heavy cream? Could one do that in your Caramel sauce and just not be as rich a taste? 🙂 I am especially curious about the Caramel sauce. (I wish I was a runner like you and burned a gazillion calories to eat more of your desserts. You are an incredible recipe maker.
Carolyn says
You can but your glaze (or caramel sauce) will be a bit thin. For the chocolate glaze, you can add a tbsp of cocoa powder to help thicken. For the caramel, you may need more xanthan gum.
Mary Forgey says
Calories should not be too much a concern when eating Keto. A calorie is not a calorie. But it is important to not eat high fat (even healthy fat) and a lot of carbohydrates.
Kendall says
Just wanted to say a thank you for linking to my orange olive oil cake! I’ve been a fan of yours for a while so it was such a nice surprise to see the link back to one of my own recipes!
Carolyn says
Thanks, Kendall!
Maria says
Can you sub monk fruit for swerve or eythyritol?
Carolyn says
If you mean Lakanto or another “monk fruit blend”, then yes because those are mostly erythritol.