This combo together is a total win and so is this chocolate orange mousse cake!
Perfect orange cake and chocolate mousse come together in this very easy yet stunning presentation for a mousse cake.
It is a no mixer required cake recipe hence the original name “lazy loaf”
The idea for the cake came after I made my recent Orange Poppy Lazy Loaf.
So be sure to check out that recipe too if you are not into making the chocolate mousse and the layering like I did here.
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Notes For Success:
The best orange to use for this process is a smaller orange without a heavy thick skin.
Clementines or small navel oranges are the best.
Definitely slice them open first just to make sure there are no seeds before you whiz them up!
Total weight of orange with skin on is 5oz (that’s approximately 2 small clementines or 1 small navel)
Total volume measure of pureed orange(s) with the skin on is a scant 1/2 cup
If you don’t have a food processor you can puree the oranges in a blender
Then mix the recipe by hand in a large mixing bowl
In the video tutorial I baked the batter into 4- 1/8 sheet pans but ended up only using 3 of the layers!
Of course you can use all 4 layers if you wish!
For a much easier round cake: divide the batter between 3-7″ cake pans
Then build the cake as shown in the video tutorial but with a springform pan instead
I am using Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer here for the best results.
Since this is a very moist cake, it is important to use a dry blend proprietary blend like the Bob’s brand *not sponsored
Aquafaba or flax meal paste will cause the cake to be heavy & gummy
Or simple leave out the egg replacer altogether
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL YOUTUBE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR HOW TO MAKE THIS CAKE
Chocolate Orange Mousse Cake
Ingredients
For the Orange Cake:
- Plant Milk ¾ cup (177ml)
- 2 small clementines *see notes
- Vanilla Extract 2 teaspoons
- Cake Flour 1¾ cup + 2 Tablespoons (225g)
- Egg Replacer * I am using Bob's Red Mill 1½ teaspoons
- Granulated Sugar 14 Tablespoons (195g)
- Baking Powder 3 teaspoons
- Salt ¾ teaspoon
- Vegan Butter Melted or Vegetable Oil 9 Tablespoons (126g)
For the Chocolate Mousse:
- Semi Sweet Vegan Chocolate 8ounces (226g)
- Hot brewed coffee 2 Tablespoons (30ml)
- Vanilla Extract 1 teaspoon (5ml)
- Aquafaba ¼ cup (60ml)
- Agar powder 1/8 teaspoon *see note above
- Granulated Sugar 4 Tablespoons (50g)
- Cream Of Tartar ¼ teaspoon
- Coconut Milk Full Fat 1- 15ounce can (*refrigerated overnight)
for the icing
Instructions
- First pull of the hard stem of the orange is there are any and check the oranges for seeds by slicing them in half and remove seeds if there are any.
- The skins stay on the orange, so leave that intact.
- Place all of the cake ingredients into a food processor and processor until smooth batter (about 1 minute)
- The orange goes in whole, skin and all! The skin is where the oil essence is and that gives the cake a beautiful orange flavor and fragrance unmatched by just the juice or any extract. Just be sure to cut them open first to see if there are any seeds, in which case remove the seeds first.
- Pour batter into the 3 greased and parchment lined 1/8 sheet pans
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pans until you are ready to assemble the cake
- Set up a cake mold the way I demonstrate in the video tutorial or use a round springform pan instead for a much easier time!
- Meanwhile prepare the chocolate mousse
- Combine the hot coffee and the agar powder and whisk smooth. Keep it warm or the agar will set and you will have to remelt.
- Meanwhile open the can of coconut milk that has been refrigerated overnight and carefully scoop out the fat that is on top and place in a mixer with a whip attachment
- Whip the coconut cream to soft peaks and reserve in the refrigerator
- Melt the chocolate in a large bowl over a double boiler or in a microwave safe bowl
- Add the hot brewed coffee with the agar and the vanilla extract to the melted chocolate all at once while whisking vigorously to incorporate well.
- Cool the chocolate mixture to about 80°F or tepid to the touch or your whipped coconut cream will melt back to liquid.
- Add the reserved whipped coconut cream and whisk smooth
- Whip the aquafaba/agar with the cream of tartar to stiff peaks while adding the sugar very slowly
- Take a small portion of the AF meringue and fold into the chocolate mixture to lighten.
- Fold in the rest of the AF gently
- Pour the mousse equally in between each cake layer as you build the cake inside the assembled cake mold, refrigerate to set for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Un mold the cake and then add the ganache icing over top
Notes
Mousse cake must be kept refrigerated at all times, and will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
The cake can stay out for up to 2 hours for serving purposes.
Hi Gretchen
Planning on making this for an afternoon tea this week, I don’t have access to the egg replacer you mention. Would the same measure of flax be a comparable substitute?
Thanks heaps
Hi Dan! awesome! Flax is not recommended here- this cake is super moist already and will get heavy with the flax (flax= more fat=heavy) and not a really gret binder in this recipe. If you can get a comparable proprietary blend like Bobs Red Mill or Orgran? That would be best.
Hi Gretchen
Love all your recipes! This looks so delicious and I cannot wait to make it.
Was following your recipe and have a few questions:
1) the video measurements are different from the ones on this page. Is that because that’s for four 1/8 layers and this is for two 1/8 layers? Video = more batter?
2) in the video, you’ve used vinegar to create buttermilk. On this page, there is no vinegar. I’m going to go ahead and add vinegar anyway, but would you prefer a particular way?
3) you’ve used 4 oranges in the video, and on this page there is just one. Is that because of different volume of batter again?
I’m following the recipe on this page, using the video to see how you put it all together 🙂 I’m sure it will be delicious! Will report back with results. Wish me luck!!
And thank you again 😊
I made this cake just as it was written on this page, except with vinegar in the milk.
De-li-cious! You’re spot on – one orange gave me just about 1/2 cup orange pulp/juice!
It is closest to this orange cake I used to make, which used a lot of eggs. I’m sooooo happy with this recipe, Gretchen. Thank you so very much!!! Can’t wait to make it again for my extended family. Porch drop offs in the near future!
5 stars!
FYI, the recipe still has references to poppy seeds in it.
thank you!