Chocolate Orange Cake

Made this delectable cake for my dad's birthday . I wanted to try a Chocolate Orange Cake from very long Finally gave it a shot on Wednesday and was very happy with the out come..It was a very soft melt in mouth gooey chocolaty cake sandwiched with Chocolate Whipped Cream and covered with Orange Chocolate Ganache made a heavenly treat...Chocolate goes very well with orange and i really love this combo..I also glazed some orange slices to decorate this yummy cake.
I used Lindt Orange intense and Dark chocolate for the ganache.I am a great fan of Lindt chocolates and my hubby makes sure he gets a huge stock for me when he comes down this time too i had my share and enjoyed all the varieties .I had reserved 2 Lindt orange intense chocolate for a Chocolate Orange Cake
If you are a chocolate fan you better try this I'm damn sure you will love this gooey cake..

Ingredients:
For the cake(makes a 6 "cake)
3/4 cup  + 1 tbsp flour
1/4 cup + 1tbsp cocoa powder
1 egg
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk*(see notes)
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 tsp orange essence
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

For the chocolate cream layer
1/2 cup whipped cream
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup melted  dark chocolate

For the ganache
1 pack (200 ml ) fresh cream
100 gms dark chocolate orange I used Lindt Orange Intense
50 gms semi sweet chocolate
2-3 tbsp powdered sugar

Method:
Making the cake
Grease a 6 inch pan and line it with parchment
Sift the cocoa flour baking powder and baking soda thrice and keep aside.
In a bowl mix oil,buter milk egg sugar and whisk well.
Add the orange essence and vanilla extract.
Fold in the flour and whisk it to mix well.
Lastly add boiling water and mix till the batter is well mixed.
Pour the batter in the prepared tin and bake in preheated oven for 30-35 min at 180 degree or till the tooth pick inserted comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely.
Slice the cake into two.

The chocolate cream layer
In a bowl whisk the whipped cream with icing sugar and beat till soft peaks are formed.
Gently add in melted chocolate while you still continue whipping it on med speed.

Making the Ganache
In a saucepan scald the cream/ warm the cream on low flame till you see bubbles appearing on the edges
Mix in the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a min.
The chocolate will begin to melt ,add sugar .
Mix it with the spatula till the cream and chocolate is incorporated and your ganache is ready.

Assembling the cake.
Spread a dollop of the chocolate whipped cream to cover the cake layer ,spread it all over so that it covers from all sides.
Place the other cake layer and cover it with the remaining cream and let it set in the fridge for 2-3 hrs.
Once the cream has set well,Pour the ganache all over the cake and with help of a offset spatula cover the entire cake.
Place the candied /glaced orange or decorate with chocolate shavings..
Refrigerate the cake for 1 hr before you cut.

Notes
I have used Lindt orange for the ganache its very bitter so i added sugar and dark chocolate too ,If you do not have lindt you may use any dark chocolate compound and add 1 .5 tsp orange zest to the ganache.
To make your own buttermilk add 1 tbsp lime juice/vinegar to a cup of milk.
Slice the orange. Boil 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and wait till the sugar dissolves then add the orange slices and let it simmer till the syrup has coated the slices well.
Remove the slices and spread on a parchment paper and let it dry for 3-4 hrs.