This is a dairy-free/non-dairy, single-layer cake that has sophisticated flavor pairings of chocolate, orange, and almond, and yet it takes less than one hour to make.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Chocolate Orange Almond Cake

Hi Everyone, this Chocolate Orange Almond Cake recipe has orange and almond flavors infused in every bite.

I first made this recipe for a visiting friend and since it is so easy to make, I was able to also prepare lunch and not feel pressed for time in the kitchen.

I found myself making again and again when I wanted a fresh, homemade cake from scratch.

It does not create a lot of dishes to clean up, since it can be made using one bowl.

By using orange juice instead of milk,  it is a lovely dairy-free cake option for those who have milk sensitivities.

Try using an 8-inch doily to make a delicate design in confectioner's/powdered sugar

• For the all-purpose flour, I used Hodgson Mill, Non-GMO Project Verified Flour (Learn more about the Non-GMO Project Here)
• For the salt, I use Morton Kosher Salt
• For the almond extract, I used Simply Organic Almond Extract

Ingredients

Here is a list of ingredients for this recipe:

• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ¾ cup orange juice, preferably organic fresh-squeezed orange juice
• ⅓ cup Canola oil
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 large egg
• about 1 tablespoon of confectioner's (powdered) sugar

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Here is a list of helpful kitchen tools for this recipe:

• measuring spoons and cups
• wet measure
• large wire whisk
• mixing bowl
• baking spatula
• 8-inch cake pan
• fine mesh strainer (for dusting with confectioner's/powdered sugar)
• toothpick(s) (for testing for doneness)
• 8-inch doily

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Recipe Notes, Alternatives, and Thoughts

• You can decorate the cake with almond slices or candied citrus.
• Instead of a doily, get creative using intricate lace to be the "confectioner's sugar stencil."

Recipe Attribution

The original recipe that inspired this Dairy-Free Chocolate Orange Almond Cake is called “One-Bowl Chocolate Cake” p.168 of the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.

Please note: I follow ⅓ cup of cooking oil in the book version versus the online version where it calls for ¼ cup of cooking oil.

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This post was originally published on 3/23/2015 and updated with new photos from Carey Rivest Gabrielson and republished on 3/13/2021.