MariaS

Chocolate Grand Marnier Cake

Serves 16
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Baking time: 90 minutes
Equipment needed: 10 inch bundt pan, large heavy saucepan, electric mixer, pastry brush


Ingredients:
Cake
1 cup butter
5 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 3/4 cups orange juice
1/4 cup orange flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups unbleached white flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Chocolate Orange Glaze
3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 Tablespoons orange juice or orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier

This is a dark cake with a glossy glaze that keeps well and also travels well. Orange slices arranged on the serving plate in a ring around the cake are all the embellishments you will need. You may wish to serve whipped cream, sweetened with confectioners sugar and flavored with a bit of Grand Marnier on the side to go with the strong coffee you will surely want!!

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees (this is not a mistake! - 275 degrees)
Generously butter a bundt pan and coat it with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Gently heat the butter, chocolate, and orange juice in a saucepan for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the Grand Marnier and sugar and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Add the salt, flour, and baking soda and beat until smooth. Add the eggs and beat well.

Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan and springs back when touched in the middle. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Place a plate on top of the bundt pan and invert the cake onto the plate with one smooth movement. When the pan is cool enough to touch, (about 15-20 minutes) - remove the bundt pan.

When the cake is almost cool, prepare the glaze. Combine the chocolate and orange juice or liqueur and gently heat in a double boiler for about 10 minutes. When the chocolate has melted, stir the glaze until smooth. Use a pastry brush to coat the surface of the cake evenly with the glaze.

Enjoy!!