Name: Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Layer Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1¾ cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tsp baking powder; 1½ tsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup hot water; 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 tbsp orange zest; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips; ½ cup heavy cream

Description

This Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Layer Cake is a decadent fusion of rich chocolate cake and zesty orange cheesecake, finished with a silky ganache. A show-stopping dessert for holidays, birthdays, or whenever you want to impress!

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake Layers:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot water

For the Orange Cheesecake Layer:

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp orange zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs

For the Chocolate Ganache:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
Make Chocolate Cake: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Stir in hot water (batter will be thin).
Divide batter among pans. Bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then turn onto wire racks.
Prepare Cheesecake Layer: Beat cream cheese, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs one at a time.
Pour cheesecake batter into a greased and lined 8-inch pan. Bake at 325°F for 30–35 minutes, or until center is set. Cool and chill completely.
Make Ganache: Heat cream until steaming. Pour over chocolate chips, let sit for a minute, then stir until smooth.
Assemble the Cake: Layer one chocolate cake layer, then the cheesecake, followed by the second chocolate cake. Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
Chill and Serve: Chill for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

Chill all layers well before assembling for easier stacking.
For extra orange flavor, add 1–2 tbsp orange liqueur to the cheesecake or ganache.
Store in refrigerator, best enjoyed within 3 days.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American