Chocolate Orange Jaffa Cake Loaf

A spin on the favourite jaffa cake. Indulge in this soft orange loaf cake, with orange sugar syrup running through it and drizzled with dark chocolate.

Sometimes, you just need a little kick in the right direction to get you going again. Whether it’s a to-do list, a motivational quote... or if you’re like me, a slice of cake will usually do the trick.

I’ve been trying to get into a healthy sorta mind frame over the past month, but really that’s just led me to craving doughnuts and Jaffa cakes. Enter this monster of a Jaffa cake loaf.

 

I mean, there’s no fooling you, this probably isn’t the healthiest cake in all the land. But it’s damn good for when you need a treat. And it’s very important to treat yourself.

Bursting with orange citrus, it’s not tangy or sharp, but sweet. Especially with the orange and sugar syrup melting into the sponge. By poking the cake, you get these small little pockets of the sweet orange syrup that taste just like the orange jelly on top of a Jaffa cake. Yum.

Complete with a dark chocolate drizzled across the top, because y’know, dark chocolate is healthier... right?

Serve with a scoop of your favourite ice cream or sorbet for the ultimate summer treat! Or pack in slices to take with you on the perfect summer picnic! Or you can crack this out as a treat for yourself one evening and to stop you reaching for those Jaffa cakes.

Chocolate Orange Jaffa Cake Loaf

Adapted from: BBC Good Food

Makes: 1 9lb loaf

Ingredients:

140g butter, room temperature

170g caster sugar

3 eggs, room temperature

6 tbsp milk

200g self raising flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

zest of 2 oranges, finely grated

3 tbsp orange juice

30g caster sugar

75g dark chocolate

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas mark 4. 
2. Lightly butter and line the loaf tin. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy (roughly 2 minutes). 
3. One by one, add the eggs, mixing well after each addition. Add the milk. Then fold in the flour and baking powder until just combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and make sure all flour is incorporated. Stir in the zest from two oranges. 
4. Spoon the mix into the prepared tin and level the top of batter. Bake for 40 mins or until golden brown and firm to touch. 
5. Next, place the sugar and orange juice in a small pan over a light heat. Stir well until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat to cool. 
6. Once the cake is out of the oven, use a skewer to poke a dozen holes randomly in the loaf. Then spoon over the orange mixture. Allow the cake to cool in the tin, before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. 
7. Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave in 20 second increments. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake however you like before leaving it to set. Then serve! 

You can store this Jaffa Cake Loaf cake in an airtight container and make sure you consume within 5 days.

What's your favourite thing to bake to treat yourself?