Easy Orange Chocolate Frosting Food

CHOCOLATE ORANGE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Beat 1 1/2 cups of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a paddle or whisk attachment until smooth.
• Mix in 1 1/2 tsp orange emulsion or extract, 2 Tbsp fresh orange zest and 1/2 tsp salt on a low speed.
• Slowly mix in 3 cup powdered sugar and 1 cup dark cocoa powder on a low speed. Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream halfway through adding the powdered sugar to make it easier to mix. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as need with a rubber spatula.
• Pour in 2 cups of cooled, melted chocolate. Mix on low until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.
• If the frosting seems too thick, add an extra Tbsp of heavy cream. If it's too thin, add in another 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Repeat until the frosting is the right consistency.
• Stir by hand with a rubber spatula to get the frosting SUPER smooth. Then cover the plastic wrap and set aside until you're ready to use it. This frosting tastes delicious on cupcakes, layer cakes, macarons, and cookies.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-ORANGE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For cake:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper rounds. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until smooth. Remove from over water. Cool to barely lukewarm.
• Sift flour and next 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Whisk milk and yogurt to blend in small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar, butter, and lavender in large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in melted chocolate until smooth. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk mixture in 3 additions each. Divide batter between prepared pans.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks; remove parchment and cool completely.
• For buttercream frosting:
• Stir 8 ounces chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until smooth. Cool until barely lukewarm but still pourable. Mix cocoa powder and 7 tablespoons water in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until smooth and thick but still pourable, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if necessary. Cool.
• Beat butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, and orange peel in large bowl to blend. Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth. Beat in cocoa mixture. Gradually add remaining 3 2/3 cups powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth. Mix in Grand Marnier.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1 1/2 cups frosting over top of cake. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake, swirling decoratively. Mound chocolate curls in center of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let cake stand at room temperature 2 hours before serving.)
• *Dried lavender blossoms are available at natural foods stores and at some specialty foods stores and farmers' markets.

ORANGE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, orange zest and vanilla. Add enough orange juice to achieve frosting consistency.